Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) is a substance produced in mitochondria — the microscopic energy-generators found in every cell in your body. ALC plays an essential role in the complex process of extracting energy from carbohydrates for use by cells, and also participates in the synthesis and regulation of certain
amino acids and proteins.
ALC has profound influences on tissues and processes throughout the body. Medical research has revealed a few of these: ALC protects nerve cells, promotes repair of damaged nerve tissue, regulates cortisol levels, and repairs age-related damage to mitochondria. There is now a rapidly growing interest in ALC combined with R-alpha-Lipoic Acid as an anti-aging treatment, thanks to the work of Bruce Ames at UC Berkeley and his collaborators. (For more information on this, see the articles on “rejuvenation” in the reference archive on LifeLink’s website — or join the Yahoo group on rejuvenation.)
ALC has been successfully used to treat dementia, Parkinson’s disease, alcoholism, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fatigue due to aging. It has also been shown to improve recovery after brain injury, to improve immunity, and to protect muscle tissue from free-radical damage. It is often used as a cognition enhancer by people with normal mental function, and has been suggested as a treatment for drug-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Acetyl-L-carnitine can cause nausea or agitation in some people, and it slows the metabolism of alcohol — thereby allowing small amounts of alcohol to cause inebriation.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the combined regimen of ALC and R-alpha-lipoic acid can reverse Raynaud’s Syndrome and Restless Leg Syndrome, and accelerate the regrowth of damaged nerves.
This supplement is best taken with food. ALC can cause heartburn; this problem can be avoided by dissolving a half-teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in water and drinking it along with the ALC.
Pronunciation: acetyl-L-carnitine (ass-SEE-till ELL CAR-nih-teen), mitochondria (my-toh-KAHN-dree-ah). Note: the singular is “mitochondrion”.