Acetyl L Carnitine vs. L Carnitine: What is the Difference?

Acetyl L-Carnitine and L-Carnitine are two distinct supplements that are often confused with each other.

While they are similar in their chemical structure, some key differences mean that these supplements have unique mechanisms of action and benefits.

L-Carnitine is typically used by athletes and bodybuilders as a health supplement.

On the other hand, Acetyl L-Carnitine is more commonly used as a brain booster, well regarded for its cognitive enhancement effects.

Let’s take a closer look comparing Acetyl L Carnitine vs. L Carnitine to help you decide which is right for your needs.

Acetyl L-Carnitine

Natural Nootropic

Mental Energy

Brain Function

Memory

How It Works:

• Increases mental energy & focus
• Promotes neuron health & anti-aging
• Improves memory, alertness & signalling

Dosage:

Between 500 - 2,500 per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top ALCAR Products* ❯

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What is L-Carnitine?

L-Carnitine is an essential nutrient in the human body, helping many different systems to function properly.

Within your cells, L-Carnitine transports fatty acids from foods you eat to the mitochondria.

Your mitochondria then converts these fatty acids into ATP, resulting in better energy supply for your whole body.

L-Carnitine is also an amino acid that is used as a building block for protein naturally produced within the body.

L-Carnitine supplements have used to increase levels of this compound for patients that have a low amount due to a genetic disorder.

The most common cause of low L-carnitine levels is the use of certain drugs, or medical procedures. It is also used as a replacement supplement, most frequently for dieters, vegetarians, and low weight infants.

These supplements have also been taken for weight loss purposes or by bodybuilders or athletes who want to boost their performance. Not only does this compound increase the rate at which you burn fat, it can also provide a significant short-term increase in energy output, allowing you to train harder with greater endurance.

In a medical context, L-Carnitine has also been used for blood and heart vessel conditions that include chest pain, heart attack, high cholesterol, and other circulatory problems. Some have used it for muscle disorders that are a direct result from AIDS medications, male infertility, Rett Syndrome, anorexia, diabetes and many others.

L-Carnitine has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for L-Carnitine deficiency. It is considered Effective for end-stage renal disease and L-Carnitine deficiency by the Natural Medicines database. It is also rated as Possibly Effective for angina, congestive heart failure, myocarditis, and male infertility. For purposes other than L-Carnitine deficiency, the FDA has not approved L-Carnitine as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions; it is used on a supplemental basis only.

What is Acetyl L-Carnitine?

Acetyl-L-Carnitine, known commonly as ALCAR, is a supplement that many people use for nootropic benefits. It is commonly used as an energy booster as well as to support brain health and life extension. ALCAR also offers some of the same benefits as L-Carnitine in terms of weight loss and athletic training.

ALCAR has the ability to enhance brain functions significantly because it can cross the protective membrane separating the bloodstream from the brain tissue (blood-brain barrier). That capability means that Acetyl L-Carnitine can boost energy metabolism in your brain cells, resulting in a baseline improvement to almost all cognitive processes.

Users report that this nootropic increases their focus and mental clarity, while making them feel more awake and energized. This supplement can also clean toxins out of the brain and strengthen the receptors and neurons.

There are many additional antioxidant benefits that come from ALCAR.

The supplement can flush some of the damaged fats that are found in the brain, including Lipofuscin (what causes aging spots).

Removal of Lipofuscin helps protect the brain from developing neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

ALCAR also has a positive effect on memory capacity by contributing acetate to synthesize acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is important for processes related to memory encoding as well as memory retrieval. Directional memory and verbal memory skills can improve in older patients as a result of taking ALCAR supplements.

It is also found to protect the nerve cells in the brain in the event of a lack of oxygen. This is why ALCAR is given to many patients that have suffered from a stroke, as it is very effective in fighting off further damage to the brain. In some cases, it has also been shown to boost the recovery in damage following a stroke.

Acetyl L-Carnitine comes highly suggested for those with neurological disorders, especially in the elderly. Regaining many of the cognitive functions of the brain can help prevent another stroke, and prevent worsening of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

The Natural Medicines database has rated Acetyl L Carnitine as Possibly Effective for Alzheimer’s disease, age related cognitive impairment, general cognitive impairment, chronic cerebral ischemia, and diabetic neuropathy. Current research on ALCAR is quite promising, however more research still needs to be done to full understand all the effects. At this time, the FDA has not approved ALCAR as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Acetyl L-Carnitine vs. L-Carnitine: What is the difference?

In short, both Acetyl L-Carnitine and L-Carnitine are the same amino acid, but in different forms. They also work very differently.

L-Carnitine is used more by people that are trying to lose weight or by bodybuilders, as it helps convert fatty acids found in the body into a natural energy source.

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is the acetylated version of L-Carnitine, that has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), which aids in improving brain functions.

ALCAR is also better for brain and nerve support, due to the fact that the acetyl group will help enable the molecule to cross the BBB easier. This can also provide the acetyl groups for synthesis of Acetylcholine, which is one of the primary neurotransmitters found in the brain.

There are many different forms of Carnitine that are available on the market, and all provide proper support for many different areas. These include the cardiovascular system, muscles and nervous system.

Out of the two, ALCAR is considered to be the superior over L-Carnitine, in terms of bioavailability. Both ALCAR and L-Carnitine share the same mechanism for absorption into the intestine, and are improved with sodium.

ALCAR has been shown in studies to have a lower blood concentration after ingestion in humans, as a result of being more hydrolyzed within the blood.

Fat burning, natural energy, memory boosting, as well as heart strengthening are enough reason to take Acetyl L-Carnitine. The benefits are bountiful and can usually be noticeable in a short amount of time. L-Carnitine is more commonly used by bodybuilders and athletes to improve athletic performance and lose weight. Both Acetyl L Carnitine and L-Carnitine have varied benefits that can be fruitful for anyone who researches and chooses the supplement that is best for their personal needs.

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