ACETYL L-CARNITINE+ is a dietary supplement based on N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine developed to promote fat metabolism. GLUTEN FREE.

In 3 capsules of this product are present 1.5 g of acetyl-L-carnitine, corresponding to a theoretical stoichiometric of 1000 mg of L-carnitine.

The use of acetyl-L-carnitine instead of carnitine has two reasons:

1. Acetyl-L-carnitine can, at the need, be transformed by the organism into L-carnitine, and be used as such;
2. This substance has its own physiological effects, not attributable to the action of carnitine.

Remember that both carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine are naturally present in the human body, located a little in all tissues with, however, a clear prevalence in skeletal muscles. The sites of endogenous production are liver, kidney and brain; a part is then released into the circulatory stream and transported to the remaining tissues. Part of the carnitine used by the body is introduced with the diet (about 50mg/day). However, the foods that contain carnitine are only those based on meat. Vegetarian subjects will have to compensate otherwise this food “deficiency” since carnitine (and therefore also acetyl-L-carnitine) is virtually absent in foods of plant origin. Oral intake of acetyl L-carnitine allows a rapid increase in its blood levels.

The importance of carnitine as a dietary supplement derives from its main physiological function: carnitine is able to transport fatty acids within the mitochondria where they are degraded in various stages with energy formation. This substance is therefore indispensable in lipid catabolism (lipolysis).

Directly or indirectly from this “fat burner” function derive the other functions of carnitine:

1. increased production and availability of energy (plus ATP and acetyl-coa);
2. facilitation of oxidation of branched chain amino acids (increased energy from these substances);
3. increased pyruvate production at the expense of lactate (with the possibility of delaying the deleterious effects of this metabolic on skeletal muscle activity).

Many studies have shown that both aerobic (endurance) and anaerobic (potency) exertion lead to a significant decrease in carnitine blood levels. This assumption indicates how the intake of carnitine can prevent deficiencies induced by various types of physical activity.

To demonstrate the function of carnitine on lipid metabolism are some rare genetic diseases in which the subject is not able to produce endogenous carnitine. These deficiency forms explain the accumulation of fat in the muscle (internal muscle cells) with serious effects on normal skeletal muscle activity. In these cases, carnitine becomes the drug of choice, able to soothe the effects of such dismetabolic states.

Numerous studies in the field of sports have shown that doses more or less high (from a few hundred milligrams up to 10 g daily, both with single and chronic administration), determine in the athlete a general improvement in energy metabolism and an increase in performance. Of utmost importance is the fact that at the doses tested carnitine has never induced harmful or unwanted side effects.

Action of acetyl-L-carnitine: in addition to the actions of carnitine, as its precursor, acetyl-L-carnitine has its own effects. The administration of acetyl-L-carnitine improves degree of attention, reflexes and can be useful to counteract neuralgic inflammation.

How to use:
SPORT: the product is particularly suitable for all those who practice sports assiduously. The intake of Acetyl-Carnitine improves the energy state of the athlete both in the effort of power and endurance. What may be important in the two types of effort is the intake pattern of the product (see doses) in order to reduce the formation of lactic acid.

Doses: in the effort of power, take a relatively high dose of product (6-9 capsules) before training or competition. In endurance sports it is advisable to take less (3-6 capsules per day), but prolonged in time (a few months).

DAILY LIFE: the product is indicated in cases of asthenia, muscle weakness. Useful to supplement diets with total or partial absence of meat products (vegetarian). Indicated in children and the elderly, where meat consumption may be inadequate.

Doses: 3 capsules per day.

Warning: the intake should not exceed the recommended daily dose. Supplements should not be understood as substitutes for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of reach of children under the age of three.

Format: 90 capsules.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine: in-depth analysis

Chemically, acetyl-L-carnitine is the acetylated form of L-carnitine. L-carnitine is a very important molecule for our body, in particular for aerobic metabolism and for effective fat metabolism, as we have already discussed in the dedicated Science Behind (https://watt.it/it/experience/science-behind/l-carnitine).

First of all, we must clarify what “acetylated form of L-Carnitine” means: imagine a trailer truck composed, in fact, of its trailer and the tractor that carries it. Imagine L-carnitine as the trailer and the driving part as the acetylated part (“acetyl” group) of the trailer. In this way we can have an idea of how acetyl-L-Carnitine is composed: the union of two molecules separated into one. One gram of acetyl-L-Carnitine is made up of about one third of acetyl and two thirds of L-Carnitine, so it takes almost 1.5 grams of acetyl-L-carnitine to get 1 gram of L-carnitine.

From a dietary point of view, acetyl-L-Carnitine is present in meat (such as L-Carnitine) in particular in red meat; it is also normally produced by our biochemistry from the amino acids L-lysine and L-methionine, and its synthesis is very active in the brain.

It should be pointed out that we should not think of acetyl-L-Carnitine simply and solely as a source of L-Carnitine. It is something more!

In fact, in addition to having all the nutritional properties of L-Carnitine, acetyl-L-Carnitine has some extra benefits! Noteworthy, it has an important neuroprotective action, in particular on the peripheral nervous system, giving relief to nerve pain (for example in sciatica) and improving its functionality (Sima et al., Diabetes Care, 2005).

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is also a nutrient that can positively influence cognitive functions thanks to its ability to improve, at the brain level, metabolism and mitochondrial function. In addition, it has an antioxidant action, fundamental for an organ such as the brain, which consumes high quantities of oxygen and is therefore exposed to potential oxidative stress damage (Liu et al., Ann NY Acad Sci, 2004). In animal models supplementation with acetyl-L-Carnitine improves synaptic transmission and learning and memory, as well as slowing brain aging (Barnes et al., Neurobiol Aging, 1990). All these properties have led some scientists to suggest that acetyl-L-Carnitine may be a useful nutraceutical in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Future studies will shed light on this hypothesis.

From the point of view of its use as a dietary supplement, it is good to know that the acetyl group reduces the water solubility of acetyl-L-Carnitine: therefore, unlike L-carnitine, it is possible to develop and produce dietary supplements of acetyl-L-Carnitine only in solid format (tablets or capsules) and not in liquid and beverage format.