How much Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) do you need in order to receive the best results? The answer to this is dependent on why you are taking the supplement as well as your usual diet, and any other Nootropics you may be using simultaneously.
ALCAR is an acetylated form of the amino acid L-Carnitine. We receive this amino acid from specific foods and it is made naturally within the body. It has been used to enhance energy levels, but many users have also found that it provides improvements to one’s memory and mood.
ALCAR
- Increased alertness and wakefullness
- Reduced fatigue and tiredness
- Enhanced mood and motivation
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Acetyl-L-Carnitine is well known for having the ability to cross into the brain cells. After the supplement is ingested ALCAR makes its way to tissues like the heart and brain, and works as an antioxidant. It promotes a higher level of glutathione (GSH) production within the cells which prevents damage that may occur due to oxidation.
Mainly due to this process Acetyl-L-Carnitine is believed to be very effective in terms of life extension, overall wellness and health purposes. For example, ALCAR had beneficial effects on mental fatigue and attention concentration in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) when compared to other forms of L-Carnitine. ALCAR is also detoxifying and can help in removing toxins and waste from the cells.
This supplement is able to increase the cells metabolism by increasing ATP production. It does this by moving the fatty acids to mitochondria, which are cellular bodies responsible for the production of ATP molecules, which can then be used for energy. This effect seems to be overly pronounced in the brain which uses around 20 percent of all body’s glucose energy.
“Many reviews of ALCAR state that the supplement provides an increased level of mental energy and a boost in alertness and awareness.”
Increasing Acetylcholine levels:
Acetyl-L-Carnitine can be stacked together with choline supplements to higher the acetylcholine synthesis in the neurons. Acetylcholine is one of the neurotransmitters that participates in many of our thought processes and functions associated with memory. Acetylcholine enhances synaptic plasticity, thus higher levels of it allow your brain to be able to learn, adapt, and develop new connections.
ALCAR is able to synthesise Acetylcholine. Because of this it has been documented as potential treatment for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke and depression. There is also the belief that supplementation on a daily basis may have an overall positive effect on the Central Nervous System and heart.
Food sources to Acetyl-L-Carnitine levels:
There are many food sources where you can find Acetyl-L-Carnitine. These include meats, such as lamb and beef. It is obvious that most of these sources are fatty in nature, but it is one reason why medical experts still promote that one should eat red meat.
These types of foods have nutrients that just cannot be found in other sources. ALCAR can also be found within various botanical sources and plants, but compared to the meat sources the concentrations are much lower. Due to this fact vegetarians may not be producing enough ALCAR in their systems.
Typical Acetyl-L-Carnitine dosage:
If you desire the best results from this supplement it is recommended that you ingest 500 to 1500 mg on a daily basis. People who take ALCAR for health improvement reasons usually start with lower doses.
Whereas if you use this supplement as a Nootropic enhancer of cognitive abilities you should take doses around 1000 mg a day. Individuals looking to lose weight can use the same dosage level.
However, it is important that your dosage level is balanced with any other supplements you are taking at the same time. It is important to note that not everyone will see the same results from having the same dosage level.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is water soluble and should be taken with food as opposed to taking on an empty stomach. By doing this it will help to improve the overall bioavailability and absorption. If you have used L-Carnitine supplements before, you will come to see that you need much less Acetyl-L-Carnitine dosages to experience the same results.
ALCAR is believed to have much higher bioavailability and is metabolized differently compared to the more basic version of this amino acid. Depending on your level of experience with supplements, you may want to begin with a dose that is even lower than the aforementioned 500 mg. After you become familiar with the effects, you can then increase the dosage level of Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
Side effects:
You should keep in mind that your kidneys and liver already naturally synthesize small amounts of this substance, and because of this many believe it to be very safe and tolerable. Using the recommended dosage levels listed above, there should be very few side effects associated with this supplement.
Stomach issues and headaches may occur after taking higher doses. If you do receive a headache you can reduce the pain by adding a high-quality choline supplement.
Summary:
The body naturally produces L-Carnitine and then transports it to the heart, brain, sperm cells, and skeletal muscles. ALCAR is famously known for targeting the brain thereby increasing the supply of energy to the neurons and increasing the acetylcholine synthesis.
It can better the functions related to learning, memory recall and formation, attention, and critical thinking. The supplement also functions as an antioxidant and can remove waste products and toxins from the brain cells. For the best results consider taking a daily dosage of Acetyl-L-Carnitine that is between 500 and 1500 mg.