Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) - Must Read
 

I was given this tip by some weight training buddies, and it's definitely something you should look into when recovering from concussion and something to continue even after you've recovered. I want to pass the tip on to everyone here, since I remember coming on here looking for tips when things were rough on my end.

I noticed a marked improvement when I started running ALCAR in September/October. Everything improved, from memory, mood, quickness in tought, and even my vision corrected itself immediately. I can't overstate how effective ALCAR is.

Most I've spoken to were dosing at 1g-2g per day. For me, 500mg-1g is the sweet spot.

Best time to take it: Before sleep. I wake up refreshed, energetic and in a fantastic mood when taking 500mg before sleep.

You can pick it up at Vitamin Shoppe (that's the brand I use). If anyone has any questions, shoot me a PM and I'd be more than happy to help you out or give you some advice.

All the best,


I've linked the livestrong page on ALCAR:

Acetyl-L-carnitine remains available over the counter despite safety concerns. Taking this dietary aid offers you many health benefits, according to a 2010 article in "Alternative Medicine Review." For example, it may protect your brain from disease and injury. Scientists can measure the positive effects of carnitine by recording the brain's electrical activity. Brain waves, also called EEG tracings, provide a good indicator for the overall health of the central nervous system. Carnitine affects the brain in distinct ways.

Theta Power

Brain waves vary from a few cycles per second to hundreds of cycles per second. Each frequency plays a unique role in thinking, learning and acting. Researchers consider theta waves -- six cycles per second -- to reflect attention, according to a 2010 report in "Neuroscience Letters." An experiment described in the 2006 edition of "Archives Italiennes de Biologie" looked at the impact of acetyl-L-carnitine on theta waves. Laboratory animals received either carnitine or saline during a single testing session. Relative to a placebo, the supplement increased theta power. The theta waves were faster and more prominent in the rats given carnitine.

Reaction Time

Scientists also break down the EEG into unique components. One component -- called the P300 -- reflects reaction time, according to a 2007 review in "Clinical Neurophysiology." When presented with a stimulus, the P300 appears earlier in subjects with shorter reaction times. An investigation published in the 1993 volume of "Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology" assessed the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on P300 latency. Primates received carnitine immediately before performing cognitive tasks. The nutritional supplement, relative to an inert treatment, hasted the appearance of the P300 component. Monkeys given carnitine had their shortest P300 latencies within 20 minutes of being given the supplement.

Impact on Sleep

Brain activity varies with changes in behavioral state. Sleep, for example, produces several unique EEG waveforms. One type -- known as sleep spindles -- represent the brain's attempt to keep your body asleep. Healthy sleep includes the frequent appearance of spindling, according to a 2010 article in "Current Biology." A trial presented in the 1990 edition of "Clinical Pharmacology Research" evaluated the impact of acetyl-L-carnitine on brain waves of Parkinson's patients. Subjects received daily doses of carnitine for a week. Relative to baseline, the supplement increased spindling and improved sleep. Large and small doses of carnitine were similarly effective without causing side effects.

EEG Grade

Doctors grade brain tracings using a five-point scale, according to the 2007 book "Principles of Clinical Pharmacology." A healthy patient receives a score of 4 and a comatose patient receives a 1. People with hepatic encephalopathy often receive the lowest score. In this medical condition, the liver fails to remove toxic substances from the blood, causing brain damage. A study described in the 2006 volume of "Digestive Diseases and Sciences" tested acetyl-L-carnitine in people experiencing hepatic coma. Patients received either the carnitine or a placebo for several days. Placebo intake improved EEG grade in 9 percent of the subjects, while carnitine intake improved it in 62 percent. The patients did not experience adverse events.


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References
"Alternative Medicine Review"; Acetyl-L-Carnitine. Monograph; April 2010
"Neuroscience Letters"; Brain Activity in Goal-Directed Movements in a Real Compared to a Virtual Environment Using the Nintendo Wii; Jochen Baumeister, et al.; Aug. 30, 2010
"Archives Italiennes de Biologie"; Behavioral and Electrophysiological Changes Induced by Acetyl-L-Carnitine in Aged Freely-Moving Rats; Gabriella Marini, et al.; February 2006
"Clinical Neurophysiology"; Updating P300: An Integrative Theory of P3a and P3b; John Polich; October 2007
"Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology"; Effect of Levo-Acetyl-Carnitine on Visual Cognitive Evoked Potentials in the Behaving Monkey; Andrea Antal, et al.; April 1993
"Current Biology"; Spontaneous Brain Rhythms Predict Sleep Stability in the Face of Noise; Thien Thanh Dang-Vu, et al.; Aug. 10, 2010
Article reviewed by Bonny Brown Jones Last updated on: Jun 11, 2011


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/46...#ixzz1odJaElnS

This looks interesting. It's only concern for me is its ability to freely cross the blood brain barrier.

There is a need to be cautious with substances that can directly cross the blood brain barrier. From what I have read, it looks like L Carnitine may be the better form. The body converts it to Acetyl-L-Carnitine.

When the body moderates the amount in the blood, it is usually a safer amount.

This is similar to the 5-HTP vs L-Tryptophan issue. The body moderates the amount of 5-HTP that is produced from the L-Tryptophan whereas ingesting 5-HTP directly can cause an overdose of 5-HTP and its metabolite (serotonin).

I prefer to providing the substances for the body to convert to the needed substance.

The blood brain barrier has a very important function. Defeating it can be problematic, especially to a compromised brain.

Please don't confuse acyl carnitine with acetyl carnitine.

The latter is better absorbed and hence more effective than plain carnitine. Both are converted to acyl carnitine in the body.

The acetyl form as a supplement also supplies the acetyl group to enable choline conversion to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter of the nervous system.

All studies that I've read on ALCAR highlight the positive effect on the brain under regular circumstances and after concussion. It has also been shown to drastically lessen the possibility of paralysis following spinal chord injury.

Simply put, the stuff is incredible.

I've been taking 500 mg daily of acetyl-L-carnitine for several months as well. I think it has helped me a lot. My physiatrist was glad to hear I was on it as it is something she often recommends.

I started taking it after reading this article, particularly the section on nutrition: http://www.wellnessresources.com/hea...tes_take_note/

Acetyl-L-carnitine is the only substance mentioned that both increases the good stuff and decreases the bad stuff they mention.

I feel that if I had taken ALCAR right after the concussion, I'd never have went through PCS. The research on immediate use following injury is astounding, proof that it protects the neurons at that critical stage as well as helping them recover in the weeks and months after.

Glad to hear you're also enjoying the benefits of ALCAR in speeding recovery. You got yourself an informed doctor.

Theta,

She didn't make any general statements about it, but she did know that I was taking it with celexa, amitriptyline, and imitrex and seemed fine with that. She was also the one who initiated my switch from amitriptyline to topamax for headache prevention.

Hope that helps!

SI33, Can you please post a link to the research that addresses ALCAR after concussion.

I found this one

http://altmedrev.com/thorne/index2.p...html&Itemid=70 It mentions footnote 51 so I will see if I can find that reference.

It only addresses use after ischemia and that is by IV infusion. Progesterone has similar neuro-protective effects.

Here is a much more recent article that addresses the issues with ALCAR and cerebral ischemia/neural injury.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072740/

Read about half way down the page. "Cerebral Ischemia"

It reviews the vast literature and mentions a need for more thorough research.

I just started taking this and I've already noticed a distinct improvement after just two doses. I took 500mg last night and had a LOT of trouble falling asleep because my mind was so active. I took another 500mg this morning and even after not getting a good night's sleep I'm doing surprisingly well compared to my functioning level last week.

I'm going to continue to take it and try to report back with my opinion after using it for a little longer.

Where are people buying their ALCAR? I looked at a couple of health food stores and GNC, but noone has heard of it. I'm in Canada if that helps.

@Concussed J: You can order it from Amazon.com.

I saw my physiatrist again today and we talked a bit more about this supplement. She said she most often recommends it for peripheral neuropathy and other nerve problems. For that purpose, she recommends 500 mg up to three times per day.

I had been taking mine in the morning but switched to taking it at night based on some comments on this thread. I think it is helping me sleep better and have more energy early in the day. I do get very fatigued in the late afternoon and evening, though. Since my doctor suggested the multiple 500 mg doses, I'm considering adding back my morning dose or perhaps a lunchtime one?

I believe that Canada has a law regarding purchase of single amino acids as supplements. I don't think they can be imported OTC either. They require a prescription from the doctor.
This may have changed, but I'd ask a chemist/pharmacist near you for clarification.

Acetyl L Carnitine
 

Hi, I just read these posts and encouraged by your outcomes. I saw a naturopath earlier this month and told me to take 2 tablespoons of wheat germ or natural peanut butter daily for it's acetyl L carnitine ingredient.

I haven't noticed much difference but considering the supplement as i read your posts.

Since I can't seem to find ALCAR where I am at, I can certainly deal with eating more peanut butter. Yum!

Carnitine only can come from animal food sources in any appreciable amounts.

I don't believe vegetable sources supply it except minutely.

Acetyl carnitine is man made chemically.

L- carnitine in food:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente...uts/carnitine/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnitine

You can see in the Wiki article the VERY LOW content of carnitine in peanut butter!

Solution? Eat even more peanut butter! :)

LOL you'll be eating peanut butter all day! And gaining weight!

83 micrograms in 100grams of peanut butter? 100grams is about 3 oz serving.

Yeah i didn't think there was much in peanut butter. I'm going to talk to her again tomorrow and find out if they have supplement form. Concussed J are u in Ontario? I'm in northern ontario so I'll probably have a hard time finding as well.

I'm not taking it, but ALCAR is now a legal OTC supplement in Canada. If you're in Ontario, just call a reputable health store/dispensary in a major urban centre and ask them to ship it to you.

Your concerns regarding blood brain barrier
 

Acetyl L Carnitine has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier as do other amino acids. It is also limited by the same the same biological restictions. It has been shown to extend, strenthen and create new nuerites with in the brain. It has been shown to create new connections between the wto hemispheres of the brain which would increase total brain functioning. It is quite a nice supplement.

L-Carnitine food resources

Don't know if Mark was referencing this article from NIH Dietary Supplements Office, but its interesting.