Acetyl-L-Carnitine, ALC, Acetylcarnitine, (ALCAR)
Antioxidants are a classification of several organic substances, which include vitamins C and E, vitamin A (converted from beta-carotene), selenium, alpha lipoic acid, and carotenoids. Together as antioxidants, these substances are thought to be effective in helping to prevent certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts. At the cellular level, antioxidants serve to deactivate certain free radicals in turn helping to decrease inflammation. The best source for antioxidants are in fruits and vegetables.
Acetyl-l-carnitine is a molecule that occurs naturally in the brain, liver, and kidney. Natural levels of Acetyl-l-carnitine diminish as we age. Acetyl-l-carnitine is related to the amino acid L-Carnitine, which is a carrier of fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes, where energy is produced within each cell. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has become one of the premiere "anti-aging" compounds under scientific investigation, especially in relation to brain and nervous system deterioration. Acetyl-L-Carnitine helps to enhance cognition. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is involved in the metabolism of food into energy.
Mild mental impairment in the elderly showed a significant improvement of several performances during and after Acetyl-l-carnitine treatments. Reports indicate that Acetyl-l-carnitine may be effective in the treatment of dementia. It improves both spatial and temporal memory, and reduce the amount of oxidative damage to RNA in the brain's hippocampus, an area important in memory.
Treated Down syndrome patients showed statistically significant improvements of visual memory and attention both in absolute terms and in comparison with the other groups.
Most human studies examining Acetyl-L-Carnitine have utilized doses from 500 to 2500 mg daily in divided doses. Younger, healthy adults would probably want to take 500-1000 mg daily. While no serious side effects have been noted in animal or human studies, Acetyl-Carnitine may cause symptoms of over stimulation or headache in some sensitive individuals. However, these symptoms are not common and are usually caused by beginning with a high dose.
INTERACTIONS: Severe peripheral neuropathy (painful sensations due to nerve damage in the hands and feet) often develops in people taking:
- Didanosine and drugs in its class. People with peripheral neuropathy who were taking Didanosine were found to be deficient in acetyl-L-carnitine.
- Some researchers have suggested that supplementing acetyl-L-carnitine may assist in managing this condition.
Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/anti-aging.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit
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