While most people experience occasional feelings of fatigue, persistent fatigue can cause a significant impact on your life. Although nutritional supplements should not be used as a replacement for conventional medical care, research has shown that acetyl L-carnitine supplements may offer some relief from symptoms of fatigue. Consult your doctor before using any nutritional supplement.
About Acetyl L-Carnitine
Acetyl L-carnitine is a derivative of L-carnitine, an amino acid manufactured by your body. L-carnitine plays an important role is energy metabolism, helps to convert fat into energy, and increases nerve cell activity. L-carnitine is found naturally in foods such as red meat and dairy products and is also available as a dietary supplement in tablet, capsule and powder form. Although your body can usually make an adequate supply of carnitine, some people suffer from a deficiency in carnitine metabolism, while others may suffer from decreased levels of carnitine due to medical conditions like kidney disease or chronic fatigue syndrome. Some research has shown that acetyl L-carnitine may help improve symptoms of fatigue, especially in the elderly and in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis. While its mechanism of action isn't entirely clear, acetyl L-carnitine is thought to help fatigue by increasing energy levels.
Fatigue
Although most people occasionally experience fatigue, persistent fatigue is often associated with medical and psychiatric disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and depression, among others. Chronic feelings of fatigue are different from feelings of drowsiness or sleepiness, although you may often feel tired and experience an increased need for sleep. Fatigue is a constant state of weariness, lack of energy and motivation, according to MayoClinic.com. While dietary supplements are not a replacement for making lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep and exercise and implementing a regular stress management routine, research has found that acetyl L-carnitine may help improve symptoms of fatigue.
Clinical Evidence
Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of acetyl L-carnitine for symptoms of fatigue. One study, published in the December 2007 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," found that acetyl L-carnitine supplementation improved cognitive functioning and reduced symptoms of fatigue in centenarians, or people older than the age of 100. Another study, published in the March 2004 issue of the "Journal of the Neurological Sciences," compared the effects of L-carnitine with the medication amantadine, a drug frequently used to treat symptoms of MS-related fatigue, in patients with multiple sclerosis. The results found that L-carnitine significantly improved symptoms of fatigue and was more effective and better tolerated than amantadine. Additionally, a study published in 1997 in the journal "Neuropsychobiology," showed that L-carnitine supplementation, as opposed to treatment with amantadine, substantially reduced fatigue in patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.
Considerations
While acetyl L-carnitine supplementation appears to help symptoms of fatigue, you should not use any dietary supplement to self-treat your condition. Consult your doctor if you experience persistent fatigue. Acetyl L-carnitine can interact with certain medications and may cause mild side effects, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. As with any dietary supplement, inform your doctor if you choose to use acetyl L-carnitine.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Fatigue: Definition
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; "L-Carnitine Treatment Reduces Severity of Physical and Mental Fatigue and Increases Cognitive Functions in Centenarians: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial; M. Malaguarnera, et al; December 2007
- "Journal of the Neurological Sciences"; Comparison Of The Effects Of Acetyl L-Carnitine And Amantadine For The Treatment Of Fatigue In Multiple Sclerosis: Results Of A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Trial; V. Tomassini, et al; March 2004
- "Neuropsychobiology": Amantadine and L-carnitine Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; A.V. Plioplys and S. Plioplys; 1997
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Carnitine (L-carnitine)
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