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



Although similar in their chemical structure, some key differences result in both unique mechanisms of action and benefits.

L-carnitine is usually used by athletes and bodybuilders as a supplement to increase resistance to effort, on the other hand, Acetyl L-Carnitine is more commonly used as a brain booster, appreciated for its effects of improving cognitive function.

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

 

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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.

L-Carnitine transports the fatty acids from the food you eat into the mitochondria. Mitochondria convert these fatty acids into ATP, which leads to better energy supply for the whole body.
L-Carnitine is also an amino acid that is used as a building block for proteins produced naturally in the body.
L-Carnitine is also used for weight loss
L-Carnitine increases the rate at which you burn fat, and can also provide a significant short-term increase in energy production, allowing you to train harder and gain greater endurance.
In a medical context, L-Carnitine has also been used for conditions of the blood and blood vessels: chest pain, heart attack, high cholesterol and other circulatory problems.
L-Carnitine is also recommended in muscle conditions, which are a direct result of medication for AIDS, male infertility, Rett syndrome, anorexia, diabetes and many others.
considered effective for end-stage renal disease and possible treatment for angina pectoris, 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. The most common cause of low L-carnitine levels is the use of certain medications or medical procedures.


What is Acetyl L-Carnitine?



Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a supplement that many people use for its nootropic benefits. It is commonly used for increasing energy levels as well as supporting brain health and extending life. Acetyl-L-Carnitine also offers some of the same benefits as L-Carnitine in terms of weight loss and endurance sports training.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine has the ability to improve brain functions significantly because it can cross the protective membrane that separates the blood stream from the brain tissue (blood-brain barrier). This ability means that Acetyl L-Carnitine can stimulate energy metabolism in your brain cells, leading to an improvement in almost all cognitive processes.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine contributes to increasing the ability to concentrate and gives mental clarity
Acetyl-L-Carnitine can clear toxins from the brain and strengthen receptors and neurons.
Acetyl L-Carnitine can clean up some of the damaged fats found in the brain, including Lipofuscin (which causes age spots) Removing lipofuscin helps protect the brain from developing neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
positive effect on memory capacity, contributing with acetate to the synthesis of acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter for both memory encoding and memory retrieval processes. Directional memory and verbal memory skills may improve in older patients as a result of taking Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplements.
protects nerve cells in the brain in case of lack of oxygen. This is why Acetyl-L-Carnitine is given to patients who have suffered a stroke, as it is very effective in combating further damage to the brain. In some cases, it has also been shown to boost recovery from stroke sequelae.
Acetyl L-Carnitine is highly recommended for those with neurological disorders, especially the elderly. Regaining many of the brain's cognitive functions can help prevent another stroke and prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's from getting worse.
The Natural Medicines Database has evaluated Acetyl L Carnitine as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease, age-related cognitive impairment, general cognitive impairment, chronic cerebral ischemia, and diabetic neuropathy. Current research on Acetyl-L-Carnitine is quite promising, however more research needs to be done to fully understand all the effects. At this time, the FDA has not approved Acetyl-L-Carnitine as a drug to prevent or treat degenerative diseases.