Acetyl l carnitine Benefits : Your Body’s Saviour

When I begin to talk about Acetyl l-carnitine, most of you will start to avoid this article and move on to the next task. Of course, when I tell you that Acetyl l-carnitine helps you lose weight, all of you will come right back! Considering the sharp rise in obesity numbers, this derivative of lysine and methionine amino acids is very important for us indeed. It can help people who consume it burn unwanted body fat and is recommended as a supplement for fatty acid oxidation.

Acetyl l-carnitine benefits

Acetyl l-carnitine acts as a means of transport for fatty acids to help them cross mitochondrial membranes into the mitochondria, just like the vehicles that transport us from one place to another. Inside the mitochondria, Acetyl l-carnitine is broken down to yield energy that is then used in the body. Fatty acids alone cannot penetrate the membranes of mitochondria, and need this carrier to transport them along.

By no means, does Acetyl l-carnitine limit itself to this function. It also facilitates other chemical reactions in the body that help in transmission of nerve signals and in releasing dopamine from neurons and binding it to receptors. Acetyl l-carnitine also prevents cataract formation and slows down the process of aging, improves short-term memory and enhances the performance of the brain in terms of attention to detail and increased ability to learn. It also decreases classic symptoms of depression, increases reaction speed and improves energy production and release in the body.

Studies are also being conducted to check the feasibility of use of Acetyl l-carnitine for the treatment of Alzheimer disease. According to research, there is scope for Acetyl l-carnitine to slow the aggravation of the disease by preventing or slowing down damage to the brain. The said benefits are visible within a short span of three months and increase rather than diminish with time. Other studies are also being conducted to see if it could possibly act as a supplement for Parkinson’s patients.

Though the body itself can produce small amounts of Acetyl l-carnitine, it is also obtained from certain food sources like red meats, for instance. Smaller quantities of Acetyl l-carnitine are also derived from vegetables and grains.

As the human body and regular food stuff keeps the level of Acetyl l-carnitine up to a certain level, deficiencies are fairly uncommon. In case deficiency does occur, muscle cramping and muscle fatigue serve as indicators. In case of severe deficiency, kidney function after exercising is adversely affected and cardiac irregularities are also not unusual. This deficiency can be caused by both genetic as well as dietary reasons and both can be cured to some extent with the help of supplements.

The normal dosage of Acetyl l-carnitine is 500mg two or three times a day. It’s use is not recommended in the evening as it can have a stimulating effect of some people, which means it can hamper your sleep. Other rare side effects are nausea and headache. These can, however, be taken care of by taking a lower dose.