Can Acetyl L-carnitine Help With Insomnia?

Everyone experiences problems falling asleep or staying asleep from time to time. However, insomnia means that you consistently experience trouble sleeping for at least a month. Certain factors can contribute to insomnia, such as illness, the aging process and stress. Acetyl L-carnitine supplementation may help insomnia in some people. Consult your doctor before using dietary supplements.

About Acetyl L-Carnitine

Carnitine is a nutrient your body uses to convert fat into energy. Your body makes its own supply of carnitine from amino acids known as lysine and methionine. Carnitine is also found in dietary sources such as red meat, fish and dairy products. Several forms of carnitine are used in nutritional supplements. Acetyl L-carnitine is the more stable and bioavailable form of carnitine. Certain people are at an increased risk of carnitine deficiency, including vegetarians, people with genetic disorders known as primary carnitine deficiency, or patients with illnesses that reduce the body's ability to absorb carnitine or cause increased excretion. People with certain illnesses that cause fatigue and sleep problems may benefit from carnitine supplementation.

Insomnia and Illness

There are two types of insomnia. Primary insomnia means you have difficulty sleeping that is not attributable to a medical or psychiatric condition or an external influence such as drug or alcohol abuse. It is often caused by stress or worry. Secondary insomnia is the result of illness or a disorder. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute reports that around 8 in 10 people with insomnia are thought to have secondary insomnia due to an underlying condition. Certain medical treatments and self-help techniques can help patients with secondary insomnia. Some research has shown that acetyl L-carnitine can improve sleep in people with cancer and in elderly adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clinical Evidence

A study published in 2004 in the "Journal of Clinical Oncology" showed that l-carnitine supplementation helped to improve symptoms of fatigue, depressed mood and quality of sleep in cancer patients with a carnitine deficiency. Another study, published in 2007 in the journal "Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics," examined the effect of acetyl l-carnitine on elderly patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Acetyl L-carnitine treatment resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms of sleep disorders, as well as a number of additional improvements in the areas of fatigue and muscle pain. More clinical research is needed to evaluate the potential benefits of acetyl L-carnitine supplementation on patients with secondary insomnia because of other medical conditions.

Considerations

Although acetyl L-carnitine appears to improve sleep in people with specific illnesses, it hasn't been studied for use in the general population of sleep disorder patients. Do not attempt to self-treat your symptoms with dietary supplements. If you have insomnia, consult your doctor to rule out possible underlying medical conditions and to discuss treatment options. If you choose to use acetyl L-carnitine, inform your doctor.