Acetyl L Carnitine
Acetyl L Carnitine helps the body to convert fatty acids into energy, which is why it is a popular supplement among those trying to lose weight.
The body makes carnitine from amino acids lysine and methionine, but people may suffer deficiencies due to, for example, high-fat diets.
From anti aging point of view, there are several interesting studies that have been done on carnitine.
In several studies, people who were taking L-carnitine supplements had a significant lowering of their total cholesterol and triglycerides, and an increase in their HDL cholesterol levels.
Some studies have suggested that one form of carnitine, the L-acetylcarnitine (LAC) form, may delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease, relieve depression related to senility and other forms of dementia, and improve memory in the elderly.
Unfortunately, results from other studies have been conflicting in this regard.
Low sperm counts have been linked in research to low carnitine levels in men. There are several studies that suggest L-carnitine supplementation may increase sperm count and mobility.
Acetyl L Carnitine - Studies
Arsenian, MA. Carnitine and its derivatives in cardiovascular disease. Progr Cardiovasc Dis. 1997;40:3:265-286.
Benvenga S, Ruggieri RM, Russo A, Lapa D, Campenni A, Trimarchi F. Usefulness of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action, in iatrogenic hyperthyroidism: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(8):3579-3594.
Biagiotti G, Cavallini G. Acetyl-L-carnitine vs tamoxifen in the oral therapy of Peyronie's disease: a preliminary report. BJU Int. 2001;88(1):63-67.
Brass EP, Hiatt WR. The role of carnitine and carnitine supplementation during exercise in man and in individuals with special needs. J Am Coll Nutr. 1998;17:207-215.
Bowman B. Acetyl-carnitine and Alzheimer's disease. Nutr Reviews. 1992;50:142-144.
Carta A, Calvani M, Bravi D. Acetyl-L-carnitine and Alzheimer's disease. Pharmacologic considerations beyond the cholinergic sphere. Ann NY Acad Sci. 1993;695:324-326.
Chung S, Cho J, Hyun T, et al. Alterations in the carnitine metabolism in epileptic children treated with valproic acid. J Korean Med Soc. 1997;12:553-558.
Corbucci GG, Loche F. L-carnitine in cardiogenic shock therapy: pharmacodynamic aspects and clinical data. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1993;13(2):87-91.
Costa M, Canale D, Filicori M. L-carnitine in idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a multicenter study. Andrologia. 1994;26:155-159.
De Falco FA, D'Angelo E, Grimaldi G. Effect of the chronic treatment with L-acetylcarnitine in Down's syndrome. Clin Ter. 1994;144:123-127.
De Vivo DC, Bohan TP, Coulter DL, et al. L-Carnitine supplementation in childhood epilepsy: current perspectives. Epilepsia. 1998;39:1216-1225.
Dyck DJ. Dietary fat intake, supplements, and weight loss. Can J Appl Physiol. 2000;25(6):495-523.
Elisaf M, Bairaaktari E, Katopodis K, et al. Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid parameters in hemodialysis patients. Am J Nephrol. 1998;18:416-421.
Fugh-Berman A. Herbs and dietary supplements in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Prev Cardiology. 2000;3:24-32.
Gasparetto A, Corbucci GG, De Blasi RA, et al. Influence of acetyl-L-carnitine infusion on haemodynamic parameters and survival of circulatory-shock patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1991;11(2):83-92.
Georgala S, Schulpis KH, Georgala C, Michas T. L-carnitine supplementation in patients with cystic acne on isotretinoin therapy. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 1999;13(3):205-209.
Hiatt WR, Regensteiner JG, Creager MA, Hirsch AT, Cooke JP, Olin JW, et al. Propionyl-L-carnitine improves exercise performance and functional status in patients with claudication. Am J Med. 2001;110(8):616-622.
Iliceto S, Scrutinio D, Bruzzi P, et al. Effects of L-carnitine administration on left ventricular remodeling after acute anterior myocardial infarction: the L-carnitine Ecocardiografia Digitalizzata Infarto Miocardico (CEDIM) trial. JACC. 1995;26(2):380-387.
Kelly GS. L-Carnitine: therapeutic applications of a conditionally-essential amino acid. Alt Med Rev. 1998;3:345-60.
Kendler BS. Recent nutritional approaches to the prevention and therapy of cardiovasular disease. Prog Cardiovasc Nurs. 1997;12(3):3-23.
Loster H, Miehe K, Punzel M, Stiller O, Pankau H, Schauer J. Prolonged oral L-carnitine substitution increases bicycle ergometer performance in patients with severe, ischemically induced cardiac insufficiency. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1999;13:537-546.
Morton J, McLaughlin DM, Whiting S, Russell GF. Carnitine levels in patients with skeletal myopathy due to anorexia nervosa before and after refeeding. Int J Eat Disord. 1999;26(3):341-344.
Moyano D, Vilaseca MA, Artuch R, Lambruschini N. Plasma amino acids in anorexia nervosa. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998;52(9):684-689.
Ott BR, Owens NJ. Complementary and alternative medicines for Alzheimer's disease. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 1998;11:163-173.
Pettegrew JW, Levine J, McClure RJ. Acetyl-L-carnitine physical-chemical, metabolic, and therapeutic properties: relevance for its mode of action in Alzheimer's disease and geriatric depression. Mol Psychiatry. 2000;5:616-632.
Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Vol 1. 2nd ed. Churchill Livingstone; 1999:462-466.
Newstrom H: Nutrients Catalog. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., Inc.; 1993:103-105.
Plioplys AV, Plioplys S. Amantadine and L-carnitine treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Neuropsychobiology. 1997;35(1):16-23.
Sachan DA, Rhew TH. Lipotropic effect of carnitine on alcohol-induced hepatic stenosis. Nutr Rep Int. 1983;27:1221-1226.
Sachan DS, Rhew TH, Ruark RA. Ameliorating effects of carnitine and its precursors on alcohol-induced fatty liver. Am J Clin Nutr. 1984;39:738-744.
Shils ME, Olson JA, Shike M, Ross AC. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 9th ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1999: 90-92; 1377-1378.
Sinclair S. Male infertility: nutritional and environmental considerations. Alt Med Rev. 2000;5(1):28-38.
Singh RB, Niaz MA, Agarwal P, Beegum R, Rastogi SS, Sachan DS. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of L-carnitine in suspected acute myocardial infaction. Postgrad Med. 1996;72:45-50.
Sum CF, Winocour PH, Agius L, et al. Does oral L-carnitine alter plasma triglyceride levels in hypertriglyceridemic subjects with or without non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Nutr Metab Clin Exp. 1992;5:175-181.
Thal LJ, Carta A, Clarke WR, et al. A 1-year multicenter placebo-controlled study of acetyl-L-carnitine in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Neurology. 1996;47:705-711.
Van Wouwe JP. Carnitine deficiency during valproic acid treatment. Int J Vit Nutr Res. 1995;65:211-214.
Villani RG, Gannon J, Self M, Rich PA. L-carnitine supplementation combined with aerobic training does not promote weight loss in moderately obese women. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000;10:199-207.
Vitali G, Parente R, Melotti C. Carnitine supplementation in human idiopathic asthenospermia: clinical results. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1995;21(4):157-159.
Werbach MR. Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(2):93-108.
Winter BK, Fiskum G, Gallo LL. Effects of L-carnitine on serum triglyceride and cytokine levels in rat models of cachexia and septic shock. Br J Cancer. 1995;72(5):1173-1179.
Witt KK, Clark AL, Cleland JG. Chronic heart failure and micronutrients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;37(7):1765-1774.
Disclaimer and Terms of Use
From Acetyl L Carnitine page to Anti Aging Guide index
|