Originally Posted by mrsD

I'd like to step in here a bit about carnitine.

Acetyl carnitine is the preferred form for this now, and has been used for over a decade for peripheral nerve damage.(The HIV community uses it to offset the nerve damage from the antiretrovirals they use).

The acetyl group on the carnitine makes it slightly more absorbed in the GI tract. The acetyl group also donates to the
formation of acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter in the brain.

l-carnitine and acetyl carnitine are mitochondrial support nutrients. They help transport essential fatty acids thru the membranes of the mitochondria so they can be sources of energy when glucose is low.
This is a post about mitochondria in our cells.

Toxins and drugs may damage mitochondria. And research today is suggesting that damage to these energy producing parts of our all our cells may be the cause of some illnesses.

The mitochondria need magnesium to function properly. They need ribose (from riboflavin B2) to make ATP.

The amount of carnitine you are using, Rob, is not very much.
Probably, about 1/2 your dose may not even be absorbed.

Patients on chemo for cancer take about 2 grams a day (2000mg) for help prevent damage to the mitochondria.

Some drugs, like Depakote (valproic acid) deplete this nutrient. Also as I mentioned the anti-retrovirals used to prevent AIDs also deplete it.

Bodybuilders use this because it is needed when building muscle. Our muscles use alot of carnitine as one might expect.
Under normal conditions we make our own carnitine.

This link explains how we synthesize carnitine if all systems are working properly.

Getting sleepy after food, is often a sign of eating too many carbs and or sugar. A meal high in carbohydrate will trigger serotonin release and hence drowsiness. This has to do with over secretion of insulin. Try having more protein for lunch and less carbs. If your drowsiness is only after eating, I'd look to your food intake and make some adjustments. A lighter meal, and more protein will usually fix this.