Molly (Madison, USA) on 04/11/2008
Then I read somewhere online that there is a set of people whose depression responds to Acetyl L-Carnitine, they said the depression lifted in these people when using 3-4 grams a day, and to take two grams of acetylcarnitine on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning.
This amino acid is the most amazing substance; I've never been able to take more than 2 grams per day - there is such great mental clarity, there is utter inability to be depressed, but there simultaneously is no euphoria - just calm lucid clarity. I've read that it assists the brain in making many different neurotransmitters - so it is not anything, not anything at all like 5-htp which floods the brain with serotonin - which, if you don't need it, might create severe anxiety.
Replied by Robin from Minneapolis, MN on 06/06/2009
I tried 5htp a few times too, and I didn't feel too hot on it. Same for KavaKava and St.Johnswort. So for those having this same problem, you may want to try acetyl-l-carnitine instead. But it's not really for energy. But L-carnitine is great for the heart. It helps take the pressure off my chest. Won't entire keep things at bay (not a cureall) but helps tremendously. I can do a little more with my muscles too. The heart is a muscle. This is not a 'one thing' fixit. If you need l-carnitine, odds are you need a slew of other things too to get balanced. Deficiences this large don't happen all by their lonesome. Carnitine is also present in beef.I have adrenal burnout, chronic fatigue, heart attack and obesity. Swelling due to tired organs doesn't help any either. Currently I am (thanks to this site!) planning to take some iodine products (along with necessary co-nutrients to avoid heart palpitations). Maybe then the swelling/circulation can be helped more. But really folks, l-carnitine has enabled me to go to work when maybe I should've been in the hospital. And I firmly believe there were days it just helped me to be alive the next morning. I take two 500mg capsules every night now. Also take vit. C (like at least 1gram/day). That is why dogs don't have arteriosclerosis -- their bodies make vit. C and ours does not. A good one is the powder in the packets that fizz in water(and not from the drugstore). Better than the sports drinks for you as it has other goodies too. Now. L-carnitine works. There is some made from N-Carnitine (not a good idea) and some that is L-carnitine from the start. Get the good one. And I have no idea how to tell them apart. That is the reason for difference in price. You ALWAYS pay for quality when it comes to supplements; but also for low quality too for brand names. So do some thinking instead of blindly trusting, ok? Take it always on empty stomach; it won't interfere with anything that I know of (I am not a dr.) because it is a protein that is in meat, but where they make it from I don't know. Acetyl-l-carnitine and l-carnitine are both good for your heart. I kept my ex-husb from dying taking a-l-c alone, so that aught to tell you how good they work. He took them when he was having a heart spell and he always said it made him feel better. Now that I am having the same problem, yep, it helps me too. BUT I found out also about l-carnitine, which is more specifically a heart helper (because the heart is a muscle).
Replied by Jill from Avenel, New Jersey on 02/13/2011
So which one is better to help with fatigue? L-Carnitine or Acethyl-L-Carnitine? I'm confused! Thanks!Replied by Robin from Minneapolis, Minnesota on 02/23/2011
L-carnitine is for muscles, period. In my opinion, acetyl-L-carnitine helps with the heart somehow a little, but is mainly for the brain. "Car... " always pertains to stuff connected to heart from what I can tell. Anything that helps the heart, helps your whole self cause you feel better when your heart is doing ok. But if you don't have heart problems, just go with L-carnitine; and if you do have heart problems, try the other sometime and see. Remember, empty stomach.Replied by Goldtopsam from Arlington, Texas on 10/13/2011
Acetyl L-Carnitine(ALCAR) is an acetylated form of L-Carnitine. It terms of of bioavailability it is superior to L-Carnitine, however a portion of L-carnitine is converted to ALCAR after ingestion. Glucose metabolism increases with administration of L-Carnitine or ALCAR. ALCAR has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and act as a powerful antioxidant and has neuroprotective properties and has shown some effects on mental clarity, peripheral nerve injury, heart benefits and energy levels. L-Carnitine is showing very good results with fatty liver disease and NASH(non alcoholic steatohepatitis). In a 24 week study 97% percent 74 patients with NASH responded with lowered liver enzymes, reduced c reactive protein, increased glucose and fat metabolism and lowered LDL and raised HDL when administered 1g 2/day with a 1600 calorie diet and full stretching regimen 3 times per week. The L-carnitine was well tolerated in all subjects, with no side effects. L-carnatine is safe, has virtually no side effects if taken within safe limits. It has also been known to reduce cravings for non complex carbohydrates like alcohol, sugar, breads, and the like.Replied by Al from Alvena, Sk., Canada on 10/10/2012
I use acetyl-l-carnitine because of a recommendation to supplement alpha lipoic acid with it to make the alpha lipoic acid work better. On researching the acetyl-l-carnitine I found that it improves the absorption of alpha lipoic acid and other nutrients by stimulating and healing the mitochondria(hairs) in the digestive tract. I have also noticed that it contributes to pain reduction although alpha lipoic acid is the major pain reducer for peripheral neuropathy. I also found that grape seed extract helps with pain reduction among other things. The acetyl-l-carnitine must be taken on an empty stomach while alpha lipoic acid should be taken with food.Replied by Jack from New Haven, Ct on 10/24/2012
In response to the comment above, when I saw the name carnitine I saw carn not car. Carn of course refers to meat (carnivorous) and red meat is the most common food source of carnitine. I think it has to be cardi to mean heart. Careful of those translations when it comes to your health.Replied by Olddude from Tn on 04/26/2018
L- carnitine reviews here are way old. Any new reviews on this supplement would be helpful.Replied by Jerry from Miramar fl on 06/21/2025
No matter how old the posts are, it does not change the fact of what acetyl l-carnitine can do for the human body. It's excellent for brain zaps, which people have been experiencing a lot lately, due to newer lifestyles, focusing on phones, computers, for too long. These electric sensations in the brain, and sometimes down the spine. Sometimes it's 'heard' as a loud 'bang', or 'thunderclap', in the brain. Some people say that they have seen things that they know isnt really there..you may think you have a tumor. I believe it's a game-changer for the overworked, stressful brain.
