Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Application during pregnancy and lactation
- 10. Use in the elderly
- 11. Drug interactions
- 12. Analogs
- 13. Terms and conditions of storage
- 14. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 15. Reviews
- 16. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Active ingredient: acetyl-L-carnitine (acetyl-L-carnitine)
Manufacturer: Vitamer, LLC (Russia), NOW International (USA), Sanomed Gesundheits-und Sportnahrungsmittelherstellung GmbH (Germany), Scitec Nutrition (USA), etc.
Description and photo updated: 28.08.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a biologically active food additive (BAA), a source of Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
Release form and composition
- gelatin capsules weighing 500, 600 and 740 mg (in plastic bottles of 50, 60, 100 or 200 pcs.);
- liquid with citrus flavor (citrus) or red berry flavor (in bottles with a measuring cap of 25, 500 or 1000 ml).
The active ingredient in the dietary supplement is acetyl-L-carnitine.
Some manufacturers include B vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B 6) or inositol (vitamin B 8), which enhance the action of acetyl-L-carnitine.
Auxiliary components of the liquid form of the product: water, fructose, food additives (potassium sorbate E202, sodium benzoate E211, sodium cyclamate E952, acesulfame E950, sucralose E955, saccharin E954), flavor.
Pharmacological properties
Functional action of Acetyl-L-Carnitine:
- transports fats to mitochondria, where they are converted into cellular energy, thereby burning fat, providing muscles with energy, preventing fat build-up around vital organs;
- inhibits the formation of neurotoxic compounds due to oxidative destruction of lipids and proteins;
- prevents the accumulation of lipofuscin in the brain - the "aging pigment", which, being deposited in nerve cells, weakens cognitive abilities;
- slows down the aging of brain cells, prevents the development of aging processes in the brain (senile mental degradation), has a rejuvenating effect on the body, accelerates recovery after a stroke;
- protects against the toxic effects of amyloid beta protein, which damages the brain in Alzheimer's disease;
- stimulates the synthesis of acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter that provides intelligence and memory, coenzyme Q10 - a generator of cellular energy, glutathione - the main component of the body's antioxidant defense system;
- protects neurons of the visual area of the cerebral cortex and optic nerve from damage;
- protects the cells of the nervous system, stimulates the growth of new neurons and protects them from harm caused by free radicals, stress and age-related changes;
- stabilizes intracellular membranes;
- reduces the excess of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, as well as the ratio of cholesterol and phospholipids in the brain tissue; with prolonged use makes reversible age-related disorders of lipid metabolism;
- enhances the action of serotonin;
- restores the level of cardiolipin (mitochondrial phospholipid), due to which it has a positive effect in the treatment of congestive heart failure;
- prevents age-related decline in testosterone levels;
- increases sperm motility;
- has a protective effect in apoptosis (death) of nervous tissue, limits the affected area;
- improves the speed of conduction along the nerve fiber, accelerates the recovery of nerve fibers (including motor ones) after their damage;
- increases resistance to mental overload and neuro-emotional stress;
- restores mental energy;
- improves learning ability, memory, mood, cognitive and intellectual abilities;
- reduces the need for sleep, improves sleep quality.
Indications for use
It is used as a biologically active food supplement - a source of Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
Supplements are prescribed in the following cases:
- overweight;
- Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease;
- chronic alcoholism, withdrawal syndrome in the treatment of alcohol dependence;
- various forms of neuropathies, including neurogenic pain and diabetic polyneuropathy;
- age-related decrease in visual acuity, cataracts, retinopathy;
- age-related decrease in testosterone levels;
- cerebral ischemia, stroke recovery;
- impaired reproductive function due to decreased sperm motility;
- Peyronie's disease;
- exhausting mental stress, psycho-emotional stress;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- decreased memory and intellectual abilities in people of any age, including age-related memory impairment and senile depression;
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children;
- doing sports and fitness.
According to the instructions for use, Acetyl-L-Carnitine is also recommended for healthy people to improve physical and mental performance, rejuvenate the body and prevent aging.
Contraindications
- epilepsy;
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- individual intolerance to the components of dietary supplements.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine, instructions for use: method and dosage
The supplement should be taken orally before meals in the morning.
Adults are prescribed 1 capsule 1 time per day for 4 weeks. If necessary, the course can be repeated.
Separate dosage recommendations for 500 mg capsules:
- improving learning ability, slowing down the aging process of the brain - 2 capsules per day;
- great mental stress and psycho-emotional stress - 2 capsules per day;
- age-related decrease in testosterone levels - 3-4 capsules per day for 3 months;
- neuropathies: 3-5 capsules per day for 2 months;
- disorders of intellectual functions - 5-6 capsules per day for 2-3 months;
- idiopathic decrease in sperm motility: 5-6 capsules per day for 3 months;
- Peyronie's disease: 6 capsules per day for 3 months.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine in liquid form is recommended for adult patients to take 1 cap (5 ml) per day, preferably with meals.
Shake well before use.
The duration of the course is 1 month. Repeated intake of dietary supplements is possible during the year, which should be agreed with the doctor.
Side effects
There is no data.
Overdose
According to the results of numerous studies of the effect of Acetyl-L-Carnitine on the state of health, no negative reactions, even due to the use of significant doses, several times higher than the recommended ones, have been identified.
special instructions
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is not a drug, you should consult your doctor before using it.
Application during pregnancy and lactation
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is contraindicated for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Use in the elderly
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is recommended for elderly patients as a neurometabolic stimulant (nootropic) to prolong the life and health of the brain. Due to the ability of the substance to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, the drug increases metabolism in brain cells, improving cognitive functions and contributing to the preservation of clarity of thinking in old age.
In addition, Acetyl-L-Carnitine removes toxins from the brain and tissues (including lipofuscin, which causes age spots), cleanses the cellular structure and strengthens neural connections. Removal of lipofuscin has been reported to increase the brain's defense against developing neurological pathologies such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
According to the results of a number of controlled experiments, it was found that Acetyl-L-Carnitine has a more rapid antidepressant effect in elderly patients with dysthymic disorders than the traditional antidepressant fluoxetine, which is probably due to the higher rate of activation of metabolic processes in the nervous tissue.
In groups of patients with mild (initial stage) dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, good clinical efficacy and tolerability of the drug were established. In this regard, elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia are advised to take Acetyl-L-Carnitine in doses from 2250 to 3000 mg per day at the initial stage of the disease.
Drug interactions
Acetyl-L-Carnitine does not interact with other drugs / substances, therefore it is allowed to use it with other drugs, including fat burners.
Analogs
Analogs of Acetyl-L-Carnitine are: Carnicetine, N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine from GEON, Ortho Acetyl-L-Carnitine, etc.
Terms and conditions of storage
Keep out of reach of children, protected from moisture at temperatures up to 25 ºС.
Shelf life is 2 years.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Available without a prescription.
Reviews of Acetyl-L-Carnitine
A large number of reviews about Acetyl-L-Carnitine are left by those who took this remedy for weight loss. Patients claim that it is possible to lose extra pounds without losing muscle mass, only by reducing body fat, taking dietary supplements. In addition, the drug provides vigor throughout the day and clarity of thought. In general, the supplement is evaluated positively and it is recommended to take it systematically, in courses, but only after agreement with the doctor.
Price for Acetyl-L-Carnitine in pharmacies
The approximate price of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the form of capsules weighing 500 mg is 445 rubles.
Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
