Acetyl L Carnitine - Not Just For Body Building

If you are over 40, you're probably already reading about vitamins and supplements and how they can help with anti aging. Acetyl L Carnitine is one of those supplements and has recently become popular due to some exciting research.

This article is part of a series regarding anti aging supplements and is designed to clear up some of the confusion surrounding supplements.

Acetyl L Carnitine is a supplement that has been around the bodybuilding field for a while, but is now getting a lot of press for it's help in the anti aging field as well. It has been used for years in Europe.

Acetyl L Carnitine helps supply the brain with energy. It promotes biosynthesis of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter for brain and nerve function. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been shown in clinical studies to benefit cognitive ability, memory and mood.

What are the benefits of Acetyl-L-Carnitine?

It improves fat metabolismEnhances mental quicknessSlows the effect of agingDecreases symptoms of depressionSupports bodily functions that require high energy

What Are The Natural Sources of Carnitine?

The main dietary sources are red meat (especially lamb) and dairy products. Although it can be found in some vegetables[/c] the amount is small. For that reason[/c] some vegetarians need to be aware of a possible deficiency.

Recommended doses of Acetyl L Carnitine

This is where I ran into some pretty wide variances in my research.

The typical daily dosage for long term use is 100 to 400 mg once a day, preferably in the early part of the day. Side effects of over stimulation and nausea may occur at dosages greater than 500 mg. Even higher doses may cause insomnia. If you happen to feel nausea, next time just take the acetyl-l-carnitine with food or take a lesser dose

Another site recommends 2 grams!

A third resource states this recommended dosage:

Fat metabolism (conversion of fat to energy) and muscular performance: 1,000 to 2,000 mg usually divided into two doses Heart disease: 600 to 1,200 mg three times daily, or 750 mg twice daily Alcohol-related carnitine deficiency: 300 mg three times daily Male infertility: 300 to 1,000 mg three times daily Chronic fatigue syndrome: 500 to 1,000 mg three to four times per day Overactive thyroid: 2,000 to 4,000 mg per day in two to four divided doses

You should always check with your doctor before starting any supplement program. Your reaction may be totally different than anyone else's. I take 500 mg in the morning before breakfast and have not seen any side effects.

What about side effects?

Side effects are typically rare and range with increased appetite, body odor, and rash. Higher doses may cause diarrhea, nausea and insomnia.

Individuals taking L-Carnitine as a sports supplement to improve fat metabolism and muscular performance should stop using it at least for one week each month.

Always check with a doctor first if you are taking any medications, as there are some drug interactions.

Exciting Anti Aging Discoveries

New research indicates that taking Acetyl L Carnitine and R Lipoic Acid together may be a great new anti-aging combination. The two nutrients were given to aging rats with great results.

"With the two supplements together, these old rats got up and did the Macarena," said Ames, also a researcher at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI). "The brain looks better, they are full of energy—everything we looked at looks more like a young animal." Not only did the older rats do better on memory tests, they had more pep, and the energy-producing organelles in their cells worked better.

As more anti aging research is done, new discoveries will continue to be made. Acetyl L Carnitine is a supplement that will undoubtably factor into any anti aging program.