The list of benefits attributed to the dietary supplement ALCAR is long and varied.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (also known as Acetyl L Carnitine, ALCAR, ALC) is an amino acid that takes stored fat deposits in the body and turns them into energy.
It is an invaluable nutrient that can improve your body’s ability to generate and use energy at the cellular level.
As such, it produces a broad range of benefits driven by enhanced cellular metabolism and function.
ALCAR benefits center around improved mental and physical performance, increased energy, focus, and strength, as well as enhanced whole-body health.
In medical contexts, ALCAR pills are prescribed to treat certain muscle diseases and heart conditions. However, most of the current-day use is for non-medical purposes by individuals who want to better their bodies and their brains.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a modified version of the natural supplement L-Carnitine, but it has a slightly different chemical structure that means it is more bioavailable.
ALCAR is also able to cross over from the blood stream into the brain which means it can affect cognitive function in ways that L-Carnitine cannot.
Below are some of the many ALCAR benefits that you may experience when using this supplement.



- Increases mental energy & focus
- Promotes neuron health & anti-aging
- Improves memory, alertness & signalling
ALCAR Benefits
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One of the primary benefits of Acetyl-L-Carnitine is as an antioxidant that can help to remove toxins and other waste products from brain tissues.
This amino acid is considered to be neuroprotective because it has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier.
While many antioxidants can improve the health of your vital organs, few can reach the brain to protect neurons there from the damage associated with oxidation.
This effect gives ALCAR the ability to strengthen and nourish neural structures with long-term use.
Additional benefits have to do with the removal of lipofuscin from brain cells and cells throughout the body.
Lipofuscin is a type of waste product composed of fats that naturally accumulates in all of our cells. On our skin, this build-up looks like brown age spots, but these spots also begin to develop in the brain as we age.
With sufficient accumulation, this fat can impair the function of your cells, leading to memory loss and other problems. Neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s may have their development rooted in this kind of damage.
ALCAR is able to eradicate lipofuscin from cells and return them to normal levels of healthy functioning, thereby slowing down the aging process.
Additional ALCAR Benefits for the Brain
Studies have found that elderly patients who consume ALCAR supplements perform better on examinations of directional memory and verbal memory skills. This natural compound can further protect nerve cells in the brain from damage caused by a lack of oxygen.
For example, stroke victims are often given Acetyl L-Carnitine immediately after suffering a stroke to try and prevent further deterioration of brain cells. Researchers have demonstrated that taking this nootropic improves recovery following a stroke.
It may also aid in preventing another stroke or lessening symptoms in the event of a future loss of oxygen to the brain.
ALCAR is frequently used in medical treatments to slow down the loss of function associated with various neurological disorders. Patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases report that this supplement helps to keep their neural functioning at a high level and slow the rate of future degeneration.
Acetyl L-Carnitine is even effective as an anti-depressant: elderly patients diagnosed with depression experienced a reduction in their mood-related symptoms as well as social anxiety or phobias when taking these pills.
Finally, as a nootropic cognitive enhancer, this supplement is observed to promote increased mental energy, focus and improved reasoning and learning skills.
The Natural Medicines database as rated ALCAR as Possibly Effective for improving age related cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, general cognitive impairment, chronic cerebral ischemia, male infertility, Peyronie’s disease, and diabetic neuropathy.
Research on the benefits of ALCAR are very promising, however more research studies are still needed to determine all effects. At this time, Acetyl L Carnitine is available as a health supplement in the USA, and the FDA has not approved ALCAR as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any conditions.
More Health Benefits
The following is a list of other areas where scientific research has shown that taking an ALCAR capsule every day has been found to produce meaningful positive effects:
Sperm Motility: Motility is a measure of how vigorously the sperm can move about following ejaculation. When taking ALCAR, motility is vastly improved, resulting in enhanced male fertility.
Diabetics: One of the complications often associated with diabetes is from very distressing nerve pain, known as diabetic neuropathy. ALCAR has been found to significantly decrease nerve pain in diabetic patients.
Weight Loss: The primary responsibility of ALCAR in our physiology is to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria to be burned for energy. As such, this is can be an effective weight loss process because it promotes a targeted increase in fat metabolism.
Cardiovascular Health: According to some studies, ALCAR can reduce systolic blood pressure in patients. It also helps to strengthen the linings of the blood vessels, which can increase blood flow regulation.
Insulin Sensitivity: ALCAR supplements increase the insulin response in the body, also assisting with diabetic patients. This means blood sugar may be better regulated, which causes less strain to be placed on the kidneys.
Peyronie’s Disease: Peyronie’s disease is a connective tissue disorder that causes plaques to grow in the soft tissue of the penis. Research has shown that ALCAR is believed to be more effective than tamoxifen for reducing pain and slowing progression of the disease.
ALCAR Negative Side Effects
There have been mild side effects reported with taking ALCAR, but these are generally seen in rare cases and symptoms subside quickly. Adverse effects may include nausea, abdominal cramps, headache, vomiting, and difficulty falling asleep if taking late in the day.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with seizure disorders may experience more frequently seizures. For those who have been diagnosed with thyroid problems, this supplement may interfere with thyroid metabolism.
In some Alzheimer’s patients, ALCAR overdoses have been associated with symptoms of depression, confusion, and psychiatric disturbances.
Recommendations for Daily Dosage
It is always recommended that you speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements. Proper dosage is dependent on many factors including age, personal sensitivities, physiology, and the reason for taking the supplement. Your doctor will be able to determine the best dosage for your needs, as well as determine if there may be any negative interactions with any current supplements or medications you are taking.
The typical recommended dosage for ALCAR powder is between 500 to 1000 mg per day. Studies show that individuals can safely take up to 1500 mg per day. Most people will only need 500 mg or less to experience positive benefits from taking Acetyl L-Carnitine capsules.
This is a water soluble supplement and it is recommended that it is taken with food to prevent nausea.
Children, and women that are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take ALCAR supplements without speaking to a healthcare provider first.
If side effects occur, using a smaller dosage will typically eliminate any negative consequences in the future. It is best to start with the minimum effective dosage and do not take more than 1 gram per day unless you are not seeing any benefits from smaller doses.
You can amplify ALCAR benefits by stacking the supplement with a number of other nootropic supplements such as Alpha GPC or Citicoline.
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Article last updated on: April 4th, 2018 by Nootriment