ALCAR capsules are becoming a must-have supplement for both brain hackers and bodybuilders alike.
The benefits of Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) are attractive to anyone who wants increased energy output and improved mental performance, as well as fat burning and weight loss.
Several different companies market ALCAR capsules including SAN Nutrition which provides a 750 mg pill. Other bodybuilding brands may sell 500 mg or 600 mg caplets, but the user favorite appears to be the 750 mg dosage.
You can also purchase ALCAR/ALA capsules which add Alpha Lipoic Acid – a supplement that synergizes with Carnitines.
While capsule options are great from a convenience standpoint, the major drawback is cost. The ALCAR tablets you may find at your local GNC or Walmart are typically marked up over 300% compared to if you were to buy bulk Acetyl L-Carnitine powder.
A 100 gram supply of ALCAR powder will cost $19.99 which amounts to a per dosage cost of $0.15 per 750 mg. One can then consume the powder by mixing it into drink or a shake along with other supplements in your stack.



- Increases mental energy & focus
- Promotes neuron health & anti-aging
- Improves memory, alertness & signalling
ALCAR Capsules
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ALCAR – or Acetyl L-Carnitine – is simply an acetylated version or formulation of Carnitine.
This supplement is naturally occurring, being made by the body within the liver and the kidneys.
It is also used to help the body turn fat into energy.
Most of the Carnitine within the body is stored in the skeletal muscles, with the remainder going to the heart, brain, and sperm cells.
The kidneys are thought to help regulate the level of ALCAR in your body. Too much, and the excess will normally be eliminated.
This supplement is one of several different forms of Carnitine found within the body. Carnitines carry certain fatty acids to the mitochondria to be burned as fuel and also are instrumental in carrying away much of the waste products from this process.
Since the body is capable of producing ALCAR itself, this is considered to be a non-essential nutrient. However, a number of people do have deficiencies.
This can be caused by a number of factors such as medications or the inability to process certain dietary nutrients. In these cases, supplementation can help. There are also genetic conditions which can result in these types of deficiencies.
While L-Carnitine supplements have been marketed heavily to bodybuilders and to nootropic users, this compound is inferior to ALCAR capsules both in terms of bioavailibity and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Only ALCAR can be taken up by neurons in the brain to improve cerebral energy metabolism. This is why the supplement is considered to be a nootropic – capable of enhancing mental processing as well as alertness.
Uses and Benefits of Acetyl L-Carnitine
Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine have been proposed as treatments for many types of conditions from strokes to age-related memory loss to obesity. Both are also seen as preventative treatments that can reverse aging and prevent oxidation.
As an antioxidant, ALCAR works to eliminate particles known as free radicals which can damage cells and tamper with DNA. Because ALCAR can cross the Blood-Brain Barrier, it is often used as an antioxidant to target free radicals in brain cells and improve neural health.
ALCAR capsules have also been found to possess healing properties for patients with angina when used in combination with conventional treatment. The same is true for taking ALCAR after suffering a heart attack, although more research is needed in this area.
This supplement may also help with reducing pain in the extremities for patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease and Diabetic Neuropathy. PVD results from a hardening of the arteries and can cause cramping or pain in the legs while walking or exercising.
Some research has shown that ALCAR may be able to reduce this pain and increase the distance which can be walked. Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage nerves in the body, causing pain and numbness. There is some evidence ALCAR may help nerves regenerate.
There are a growing number of dieters and bodybuilders who swear by ALCAR as a weight loss supplement. Some studies show that this supplement can reduce fat mass, increase lean muscle mass, and reduce fatigue. When taken together, all of these benefits may contribute to weight loss in certain people.
The Natural Medicines database has rated ALCAR as Possibly Effective for improving age related and general cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic cerebral ischemia, and diabetic neuropathy. Research on ALCAR has been very promising so far, however more research is still need to fully understand the effects it may have on various conditions. At this time, ALCAR is sold as a supplement only in the the US, and the FDA has not approved Acetyl L-Carnitine as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
How ALCAR 750mg Capsules Work
The primary mechanism of action for this supplement is through the metabolism of fats. What ALCAR does is to assist the mitochondria in absorbing and metabolizing fatty acids.
The nervous system is also dependent on fat metabolism, and this supplement contains an acetyl group that is essential for the production of a key neurotransmitter known as Acetylcholine.
This is why taking ALCAR capsules can lead to improved memory, concentration and reasoning skills. ALCAR also plays a role in transporting lipids to the brain which are used to develop the myelin sheath coating each nerve cell (allowing for the proper functioning of nerve impulses between synapses).
Best Way to Take ALCAR as a Supplement
Proper dosage of supplements depend on many factors including age, personal sensitivities, and physiology. The below dosage recommendations are general guidelines only, and your personal dosage may be different. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements so they can determine the most appropriate dosage for your needs.
How many ALCAR 750 mg capsules should you take per day for the best results? The typically recommended dosage for Acetyl L-Carnitine is anywhere between 500 and 2000 mg per day.
Most people use between the 1000 to 1500 mg range. It is best to start taking one 750 mg tablet per day before increasing to larger dosages. You may also want to look into Acteyl-l-Carnitine Arginate that is bonded to the amino acid arginine.
It is best to take this supplement with food. This allows for easier absorption and it should also help to avoid any potential gastrointestinal issues. You may also split the full dosage into several different administrations throughout the day. You may find that taking two pills leads to excessive stimulation and makes it difficult to fall asleep when taken late at night though.
Although Acetyl L-Carnitine is rated as Likely Safe by the Natural Medicines database, there are a few side effects which may result from supplementation. The most common of these is usually mild gastrointestinal distress (this is usually be avoided by taking it with food).
Others may include headaches, increased agitation or restlessness, and a possible increase in seizure frequency (for those who already have this problem).
The effects of this supplement can be enhanced when taken in combination with a source of Choline such as Citicoline or Alpha GPC. ALCAR 750 mg capsules offer a lot of benefits both for whole-body health and brain performance when taken safely at appropriate dosages.
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Article last updated on: April 16th, 2018 by Nootriment