How Acetyl-L-Carnitine prevents Alzheimer's disease and dementia while boosting brain function

Wednesday, December 07, 2005 by: Dani Veracity
Tags: mental health, Alzheimer's, parkinson's

Acetyl-L-carnitine may offer unprecedented hope for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease or the aftereffects of a stroke. The human brain is uniquely powerful and complex, but it is sometimes difficult for it to fully recover from damage. People who have been affected by stroke, traumatic brain damage or age-associated dementia know this all too well. Fortunately, research studies suggest that the vitamin-like nutrient L-carnitine may be able to slow down, or even reverse, brain deterioration. Plus, it may give people the ability to think clearer and remember things like, "Where did I put my keys?"

If you're worried about developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or age-associated dementia, studies suggest that acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) may delay the onset of the disease, according to Prescription for Dietary Wellness by Phyllis A. Balch. Furthermore, if you've already been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, ALC can help slow down its progression and improve your mental functioning. In fact, experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that ALC may have a "significant capacity to slow, and even reverse, the effects of aging on the brain," writes Dr. Russell L. Blaylock in Health and Nutrition Secrets.

So, how exactly does ALC work? Mind Boosters author Dr. Ray Sahelia believes that Alzheimer's patients may benefit from ALC in three ways: It is able to travel through the blood-brain barrier, where it then helps form the brain chemical acetylcholine; it keeps mitochondria working efficiently by clearing them of toxic fatty-acid metabolites; and it helps regenerate neurons damaged by free radicals.

The results of numerous research studies support Dr. Sahelia's theory, including electron microscope analysis of the hippocampus region of the brain, which demonstrated ALC's ability to reverse the age-related deterioration of mitochondria. Furthermore, according to Professor Gary Null, autopsies show that people who had Alzheimer's experienced 25 to 40 percent less ALC transferase activity than people without Alzheimer's. In other words, perhaps the reason why ALC supplementation is so beneficial to Alzheimer's patients is because they are deficient in L-carnitine in the first place.

Of course, the benefits of ALC's ability to regenerate lost brain function extends far beyond Alzheimer's disease, making it a promising treatment for victims of stroke as well. If it is administered to stroke victims soon after the stroke occurs, ALC may actually reduce the level of brain damage caused by the interrupted blood flow, according to an Italian animal study reported in Dr. Russell L. Blaylock's Health and Nutrition Secrets. But even if it was not possible to give a patient ALC soon after the stroke first occurred, ALC supplementation may help the patient improve memory, task performance and cognition during his or her road to recovery.

Furthermore, ALC may even be able to help people with Down's Syndrome, even though it is a congenital disease, rather than an age- or trauma-related one. In one 90-day study, ALC supplementation improved both the visual memory and attention of test subjects with Down's Syndrome. Further research into this scope of ALC's benefits should be promising.

Can Acetyl-L-Carnitine boost brain function?

If ALC supplements can help normalize the mental activity of people with neurological damage or deterioration, can it boost the brainpower of anyone? Many experts have asked the same question.

In Mind Boosters, Dr. Sahelia writes: "Acetyl-L-carnitine is an antioxidant involved in energy utilization within cells. A dose of 500 mg in the morning before breakfast works within two to three hours to induce a pleasant visual and mental clarity." Similarly, Bottom Line Personnel's 2004 Bottom Line Yearbook reports that ALC can "jump-start" the brain, and Dr. Blaylock believes that ALC improves spatial learning, long-term memory and discriminatory learning.

Given the fact that the acetyl component of ALC is an important neurotransmitter and L-carnitine itself helps increase cell energy, it isn't illogical to believe that ALC may offer mental-boosting effects, but experts' opinions are not unanimous. For example, Textbook of Natural Medicine authors Joseph E. Pizzorno and Michael T. Murray report that ALC supplementation may only be beneficial to people who are actually deficient in L-carnitine, such as people with age-associated mental deterioration.

Because scientists do not know the long-term health effects of ALC in large doses, Dr. Elson Haas cautions, "This is basically safe and can be taken over an extended period, although it probably should be stopped for one week each month, until its long-term safety as a supplement is more clearly established." Based on the opinions of Dr. Haas and other experts, this may be a safe way to see if ALC works for you.

So, how much ALC should you take? According to the PDR for Nutritional Supplements, a typical dose is 500 milligrams to two grams, taken daily in two divided doses. If you currently suffer from age-associated mental impairment, such as poor memory, Professor Null recommends that you take one to two grams of ALC daily for no more than 90 days in order to see improvement without any possible long-term health risks. When taken in these controlled doses, ALC supplementation may prove helpful, especially if you are currently experiencing dementia or even just "brain fog." Vitamin guru Earl Mindell says, "[ALC supplements] will not make you an Einstein, but they can help you remember where you put your car keys."

The experts speak on acetyl-L-carnitine's brain-boosting and repairing abilities:

ALC and Alzheimer's / age-associated dementia

The results of using acetyl-carnitine to delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease have been outstanding.
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael T Murray MD Joseph L Pizzorno ND, page 222

L-carnitine was able to reverse much of the damage inflicted to brain cells by free radicals, which is typical of the kind of damage seen in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.
Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible by Earl Mindell RPh PhD, page 86

Electron microscopic studies in the hippocampus region of the brain showed that acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid reversed age-associated mitochondrial structural decay.
Disease Prevention and Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 21

Another nutrient that can aid in the battle with Alzheimer's disease is acetyl-L-carnitine. This versatile nutrient is able to transport itself through the blood/brain barrier, and serves to stimulate and fortify the nerve cells within the brain.
Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 29

Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid produced by every cell in the body and, according to European studies, appears to slow down the mental deterioration that accompanies Alzheimer's.
Secret Remedies by Earl Mindell RPh PhD, page 36

Acetyl-L-carnitine also may stave off the protein deposits that develop in the brains of early-stage Alzheimer's patients.
Bottom Line Yearbook 2004 by Bottom Line Personnel, page 17

L-carnitine is an amino acid produced by every cell in the body and, according to European studies, appears to slow down the mental deterioration that accompanies Alzheimer's.
Earl Mindells Secret Remedies by Earl Mindell RPh PhD, page 36

A great deal of research has been conducted over the last decade with L-acetylcarnitine (LAC) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, senile depression, and age-related memory defects. LAC is a composed of acetic acid and L-carnitine bound together.
Textbook of Natural Medicine Volumes 1-2 by Joseph E Pizzorno and Michael T Murray, page 1074

A different form of carnitine known as acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) has been shown in studies to be valuable in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, senile depression, and memory loss associated with aging. ALC occurs naturally in the body.
Natural Physicians Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler ND, page 302

For Alzheimer's disease and brain effects, it appears that L-carnitine is, however, the most widely available, least expensive, and best studied form of carnitine.
Encyclopedia Nutritional Supplements by Michael T Murray ND, page 286 L-carnitine

Always be sure that the form being used is L-carnitine alone or bound to either acetic or propionic acid. For Alzheimer's disease and brain effects, it appears that Acetyl-L-carnitine (LAC) may provide the greatest benefit.
Textbook of Natural Medicine Volumes 1-2 by Joseph E Pizzorno and Michael T Murray, page 637

Other examples of pro-drugs are alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine. Research shows it can augment the body's healing mechanisms, as well as prevent and improve symptoms and disease for a wide range of conditions, including diabetes, neuropathy (nerve damage), liver disease, hypertension, hearing loss, and nerve damage in the brain associated with conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
Ultra prevention by Mark Hyman MD and Mark Liponis MD, page 87

Those elderly subjects with the highest depression scores are usually the ones who benefit the most from acetyl-L-carnitine.
Textbook of Natural Medicine Volumes 1-2 by Joseph E Pizzorno and Michael T Murray, page 640

Results of this study showed that acetyl-L-carnitine may be effective in ameliorating receptor functionality in the aging rat brain due to its ability to preserve the receptor-mediated functional Ach release response.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 852

Acetyl-L-carnitine is unique in its ability to provide a number of important protective functions. It has been shown to reduce the amount of an age pigment in the brain called lipofuscin.
Health and Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 323

ALC has become one of the most studied compounds for its anti-aging effects, particularly with regard to degeneration of the brain and nervous system.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A Balch CNC and James F Balch MD, page 46

Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that acetyl-L-carnitine had significant positive effects on memory and cognitive performance tasks in elderly patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 12

The second study published by the National Academy of Sciences showed that supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid resulted in improved memory in old rats.
Disease Prevention and Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 1257

The nutrient acetyl-L-carnitine can help improve memory, says Alan Brauer, M.D., founder and director of the Total Care Medical Center in Palo Alto, California. Scientists theorize that it boosts energy production in the brain, improves function in the brain's glutamate receptors, which are responsible for learning, and may stop the formation of lipofucian, a kind of "age spot" of the neurons that can interfere with memory.
Alternative Cures by Bill Gottlieb, page 437

Studies indicate that acetyl-L-carnitine can slow neurological aging. As discussed earlier in this protocol, supplemental acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid have been shown to reverse certain parameters of brain aging in rats.
Disease Prevention and Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 21

In addition, acetyl-L-carnitine reduces the receptor loss associated with aging of the brain and significantly improves learning and memory in aged animals and humans.
Excitotoxins by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 25

Studies suggest that mental deterioration in Alzheimer's patients can be slowed by supplementation of iron, vitamins B6 and B12, coenzyme Q10, and acetyl-L-carnitine.
Woman's Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Dr Gary Null, page 32

Acetyl-L-carnitine has proven helpful toward restoring short-term memory in Alzheimer's disease, as we discussed in the previous chapter.
Power Aging by Gary Null, page 93

Among some Alzheimer's researchers, interest is brewing in a natural substance called acetyl-L-carnitine, which resembles amino acids found in dairy foods, kidney beans, eggs, and red meats.
New Foods for Healing by Selene Yeager, page 568

Treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine slowed deterioration in Mini-mental Status and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scales, and normalized high-energy phosphate levels in a study of 5 probable Alzheimer's patients and 21 controls.
Woman's Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Dr Gary Null, page 36

ALC and stroke victims

Acetyl-L-carnitine has also been shown to regenerate nerves (Fernandez et al. 1997); provide protection against glutamate and ammonia-induced toxicity to the brain (Rao et al. 1999); and to reverse the effects of heart aging in animals (Paradies et al. 1999).
Disease Prevention and Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 1001

Results of this study involving a canine model of global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion showed that the postischemic administration of acetyl-L-carnitine potentiated the normalization of brain energy metabolites and produced marked improvements in neurological outcome.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 11

Acetyl-L-carnitine administered to stroke patients brought improvements in memory, cognition, and task performance.
Power Aging by Gary Null, page 93

ALC and Down's Syndrome

Results of this study showed significant improvement in visual memory and attention in Down's Syndrome patients relative to controls following treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine for 90 days.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 10

Can ALC boost anyone's brain power?

With L-carnitine, people have a resource that helps them fight fatigue and improve mental performance.
Natural Physician's Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler ND, page 303

The acetyl component of acetyl-L-carnitine provides for the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
PDR for Nutritional Supplements by Sheldon Saul Hendle and David Rorvik, page 10

L-carnitine is a vitamin-like nutrient that is found in the heart, brain and skeletal muscles. Its primary job is to transport fatty acids across the cell wall to the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, providing heart and skeletal cells with energy.
Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible by Earl Mindell RPh PhD, page 85

Acetyl-L-carnitine crosses the blood brain barrier and provides the brain with more energy.
Get Healthy Now by Gary Null, page 218

This study examined the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine on brain adenylate cyclase activity in rats. Results showed that the treatment enhanced receptor-stimulated AC response in the frontal cortex of rats of all ages.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 854

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and lipoic acid. When used properly, these nutrients enhance mental function.
Mind Boosters by Dr Ray Sahelia MD, page 127

Anything that increases brain energy production will reduce excitotoxicity. This includes alpha-lipoic acid, CoQ10, niacin amide, all of the B vitamins, acetyl-L-carnitine, and creatine monohydrate.
Health and Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 199

Results of this study showed that acetyl-L-carnitine administered at high levels can have positive effects on the release of amino acids as well as neurotransmitters such as dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain of rats.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 12

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a derivative of the amino acid, carnitine. It helps with neurotransmitter metabolism, and is necessary for normal neuron and brain function.
Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 94

Acetyl-l-carnitine is a natural substance found in the body. It too can act as an antioxidant in the brain and protect the cell's energy factories, the mitochondria.
Graedons' Best Medicine by Joe Graedon & Dr Terasa Graedon, page 232

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), also a naturally occurring substance, has shown clinical benefits when used to treat a variety of conditions. Like alpha-lipoic acid, ALCAR has a protective effect on brain neurons and the liver.
Ultra-Prevention by Mark Hyman MD and Mark Liponis MD, page 87

Acetyl-L-carnitine was shown to protect neurons from the detrimental effects of beta-amyloid in the cortex of rats (Virmani et al. 2001).
Disease Prevention and Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 62

There are several additional nutrients that are involved in energy production within brain cells, including coenzyme Q10, acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), and lipoic acid.
Mind Boosters by Dr Ray Sahelia MD, page 218

A massive body of published scientific research indicates that one can take steps to boost cognitive function today, while simultaneously reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and other degenerative brain diseases by taking CoQ10, acetyl-L-carnitine, and ginkgo.
Disease Prevention and Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 32

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC): This amino acid (protein building block) enhances brain energy, helping to improve mood and reduce the effects of age-associated memory impairment.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 528

Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid in testing memory they found that both nutrients improved memory, but the combination of both was the most effective.
Power Aging by Gary Null, page 167

Acetyl-L-carnitine can aid in the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which we know plays a vital role in memory.
Health and Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 323

So, how much ALC should you take?

Acetyl-L-carnitine is a powerful anti-aging nutrient that is beneficial for mild mental impairment; practitioners recommend 1,000 to 2,000 mg a day for up to ninety days.
Power Aging by Gary Null, page 192

Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that treatment with 2 g of acetyl-L-carnitine per day for 24 weeks had beneficial short-term memory effects on patients with Alzheimer-type dementia.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 711

Several major studies have shown that daily supplementation with ALC significantly slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease, resulting in less deterioration in memory, attention and language, and spatial abilities.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis a Balch CNC and James F Balch MD, page 46

Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that the administration of 2g per day of acetyl-L-carnitine for three months led to significant improvements in elderly patients suffering from mental impairment.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 854

Elderly patients receiving acetyl-L-carnitine at doses of 1,000 to 2,000 mg a day for up to ninety days found relief from mild mental impairments such as slow memory.
Power Aging by Gary Null, page 93

Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study indicated that the administration of 1500 mg per day of acetyl-L-carnitine to elderly patients with mild mental impairments proved to be beneficial against cognitive and emotional-affective mental impairment.
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 706