Acetyl-l-carnitine & L-arginine And Alzheimer's

Acetyl-L-carnitine and L-arginine are two important amino acids that serve a variety of purposes for human health. These two compounds may play an active role in the prevention and management of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative condition that results in a loss in brain function. Acetyl-L-carnitine and L-arginine can both be found naturally in some foods, such as animal products and some lentils, or they can be consumed as a nutritional supplement. If you suffer from Alzheimer's disease, talk with your physician before using either one of these supplements to manage it.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-carnitine has neuroprotective capabilities, preserving your brain's neurological patheways from damage from disease. According to a 2003 literature review published in the journal of "International Clinical Psychopharmacology," investigators found that not only is acetyl-L-carnitine well-tolerated by people with Alzheimer's disease, supplementation with this amino acid shows a marked improvement in both clinical scales and psychometric tests, meaning that it improves psychological markers of Alzheimer's disease, which include memory and cognition.

Recommendations

Nutrition expert Andrew Weil, MD, recommends you should take between 500 mg and 1,500 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine each day for optimal results. However, your own doctor may prescribe a different amount based on your individual needs. Side effects of acetyl-L-carnitine are usually mild and may include gastrointestinal symptoms and increased agitation or restlessness. If you are taking acetyl-L-carnitine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, you may be at an increased risk of developing depression and confusion.

L-Arginine

According to a 2009 study published in the "International Journal of Clinical Experimental Pathology," researchers suggest that while the root cause of Alzheimer's disease has yet to be uncovered, stress, inflammation, impaired energy metabolism and atherosclerosis, or a hardening of your arteries, may play roles in its development and progression. The researchers state that L-arginine supplementation can help to improve some of the conditions that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. It may protect your brain from developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Recommendations

The Mayo Clinic states that while there has been no established upper limit, or UL, for L-arginine, the dosage that is considered safe is between 400 mg and 6,000 mg daily. Higher amounts may be needed to treat specific conditions, such as women with breast cancer, who can take up to 30 g of L-arginine daily. To improve cognitive function, the Mayo Clinic recommends 1,600 mg of L-arginine daily for at least three months.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine & L-Arginine and Alzheimer's