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Old 05-11-2010, 10:58 AM
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mrsD mrsD is offline
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mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Lightbulb Acetyl l-carnitine:

This supplement has been used for over a decade, for neuropathy that occurs in HIV patients taking anti-retrovirus drugs.

So that has spurred research in general. Here is a link with several papers about it:

http://www.integratedhealth.com/infoabstract/alcab.html

Also there are papers showing usefulness of ALCAR for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments. For Chemo patients it is best to start the ALCAR before the treatments start.
edit to add 8-15: I am adding this information after seeing some critics of ALCAR not working for chemo neuropathy.
This new article from 2014 for example:
http://www.ascopost.com/issues/may-1...t-cancers.aspx

But then this 2014 article shows improvements in some chemo patients using carnitine:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...13231714000214
This link also has many interesting graphics to help explain the complex topic.

So each patient will have to do some research on whether carnitine is for worth trying for themselves.

end of edit.


This link to our PN board has a paper from 2007 on the usefulness of carnitine during chemo:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post507671-2.html

Our bodies make carnitine from the essential amino acid l-lysine.
But this conversion may fail or be affected by certain other drugs you may be taking. Most of the drugs for HIV affect carnitine levels. Also the anti-seizure drug, Depakote depletes this. There have actually been deaths from low carnitine levels induced by Depakote.

Most advice involves acetyl-l-carnitine, because the acetyl group may be used by the brain to make acetylcholine, a valuable neurotransmitter. Also Acetyl carnitine is slightly better absorbed than regular l-carnitine.

Carnitine supplements are not inexpensive. So if you suspect your PN is induced by drug toxicity, which may be affecting the mitochondria of the nerve cells (which make energy), then you can try it. There are limits to carnitine absorption in the intestines, so if you decide to use high doses (over 500mg/day) it is best to break them up and take them at different times.
Recently we have had some posters visit here saying their neuro has suggested this supplement. So information is finally getting to them.

Articles like this one 2010:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20302919

and
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19768376

This study shows decreased pain in diabetic patients and even some regeneration of nerves in one study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18940920

There are very few side effects reported with this supplement. In really high doses of 10 grams or more a day some GI upset may occur, since not all is absorbed and remains there. With the doses used for neuropathy, they are not this high, and the 3rd link above used 3 grams a day.

Acetyl carnitine is now being included in supplement mixtures targeting Anti-aging effects and improvement in Alzheimer's. Included in these mixtures are CoQ-10 and biotin, and sometimes alpha lipoic acid. I would use the carnitine separately to start, because high doses may be needed, and combo products do not allow for that --and become very expensive.

Regular l-carnitine is also on RX. If you can convince a doctor to give it to you this way, it may be covered on your insurance. (it is not acetyl form).
This RX form is also available OTC from the same manufacturer, from this source:
http://www.epic4health.com/lcar60cap.html
Some people feel more comfortable with this type, so I include the link to it.

Any questions are welcome here. You can also search the main forum below using the keyword "carnitine" and find many discussions.
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These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.

Last edited by mrsD; 08-23-2015 at 09:27 AM.
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