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What l-carnitine does is act the vehicles that zoom down our freeways taking us to work, except that it transports fatty acids across mitochondra membranes into the mitochondria membrane, where they're broken down and turned into energy. Fatty acids can't penetrate the membrane on their own. In the human body it is most concentrated in the heart and skeletal muscles.
Acetyl l-carnitine also aids other chemical processes in the body that help with neurotransmission and with releasing dopamine from neurons and binding it to receptors, making it a multifaceted aid to health. In addition to helping to burn body fat and improve energy production, acetyl l-carnitine can also help prevent cataracts, slow the signs of aging, improve memory and mental performance (especially in terms of short-term memory, attention to detail, and learning ability), increase reaction speed, and decrease symptoms of depression.
Acetyl l-carnitine is also being studied as a treatment for Alzheimer disease. It may slow the course of the disease by mitigating the brain's deterioration. And it appears that benefits occur within three months and increase over time. It is also being studied as a possible supplement for person's suffering from Parkinson's disease.
Some of the foods we consume contain acetyl l-carnitine. The red meats, beef and lamb for example, are among the best sources. Vegetables and grains contain the substance as well, but not in as high concentrations as red meats. The body can produce small amounts of it as well.
Deficiencies in acetyl l-carnitine are not common. Muscle cramping and muscle fatigue are some signs of possible deficiency. More severe signs are improper kidney function after exercise and heart irregularities. For some people this deficiency is hereditary; for others it is dietary. Supplementation is helpful in both cases.
Acetyl l-carnitine can have a stimulating effect in some people, so it's a good idea not to take it in the evening. Other possible rare side effects are nausea and headache. Taking a lower dose than recommended on the product label usually takes care of these symptoms. A normal dose is 500 mg two to three times a day.
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