Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an acetylated version of the amino acid carnitine. Carnitine and its acetylated version, ALC, are involved in the transport of fatty acids across the mitochondrial cell wall so these molecules can be burned for energy.

In many studies, it has been shown to be useful in the various types of congestive heart failure by improving cardiac efficiency. Optimally, this therapy would be combined with other nutritional interventions, such as taurine and Co-Enzyme Q10.

Carnitine has also been shown, in some studies, to be an effective agent in the modification of lipidemic status by lowering triglycerides, presumably by its influence in accelerating transport of circulating fatty acids out of the blood stream and into the cell, where they can be burned for energy.

The acetylated version of carnitine, ALC, has been used in many clinical trials to improve outcome in age-associated central nervous system dysfunction, such as Alzheimer's disease and other sorts of cognitive pathologies. ALC, administered both to humans and, in laboratory studies, to animals, has been shown to diminish age-associated memory decline as well as age-associated neuron degeneration, as it relates to the central nervous system. One wonders if taking ALC starting early in life would prevent some of the expected decline in cognitive function as we age. Unfortunately, these studies have not been done at this point in time.

Another benefit of ALC has been shown in studies done in Germany. There, it is utilized as a prescription medicine for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy. These studies have most often been done with patients exhibiting peripheral neuropathy symptoms from complications of diabetes mellitus.

ALC has not been demonstrated to have any significant side effects, although, occasionally, a mild headache and stomach upset are noted. Taking the product with a small amount of food usually circumvents this. However, I would not recommend taking ACL in conjunction with a high protein meal, as competition for amino acid absorption might limit the therapeutic levels, which could be obtained by oral administration of ALC. Instead, a more optimal route would be to take oral supplementation of ALC between meals. The ALC should mix in a small amount of fruit juice, as the carbohydrate content of the fruit juice could help with absorption of the ALC.

In general, as a treatment for neuropathy, the duration of supplementation with ALC to demonstrate efficacy would be many months. When utilizing ALC for improving memory, heart function and correcting other medical limitations, the response is usually much quicker, often within a matter of a few days.

The current drawback to ALC is its price, which can be somewhat prohibitive. The price usually ranges from $50-80 per bottle, and a bottle will last the average consumer four to eight weeks, depending on the dose. Oftentimes, it is more economic to purchase ALC in bulk quantities in powder form and mix an appropriate amount with juice in order to take the prescribed potency. There are several companies, which supply bulk quantities of pharmaceutical-grade amino acids for the consumer. You may check with our office or with your local health food store for more information.

Dale Guyer, M.D.