If you've ever wanted something that improves cognitive performance and may even help you lose weight at the same time, you're in luck. Acetyl l-carnitine may be just what you've been looking for.

This supplement has been the subject of interest from the nootropics community, bodybuilders, and people trying to lose body fat. And with good reason: for some people, it works wonders.

In this science-backed article, we're going to look at the nootropic benefits of acetyl l-carnitine, dosage, side effects, and other nootropics that stack well with it. But first, let's take an in-depth look at what acetyl l-carnitine is.

What Is Acetyl L-Carnitine?

Acetyl l-carnitine (often abbreviated as ALCAR) is the acetylated version of l-carnitine. Acetylation is a chemical process that changes the molecule slightly. Acetylated l-carnitine is able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) more efficiently than regular l-carnitine.¹

L-carnitine is a substance that the body produces naturally and plays an important role in several functions including metabolism and energy production.² It's also found in several foods including milk, fish, cheese, and especially beef.³ In addition to being produced naturally and found in various foods, l-carnitine can be taken in supplement form. But, as mentioned above, ALCAR is metabolized differently than l-carnitine. It is much more bioavailable, and provides a number of benefits that l-carnitine does not.

The most relevant difference is that supplementing with acetyl l-carnitine often provides nootropic benefits while regular l-carnitine does not. This is likely due to ALCAR's ability to readily cross the blood-brain barrier. It is a strong antioxidant and can protect the brain from various problems.⁴ It has also been shown that the body and brain can use ALCAR to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.⁵ This neurotransmitter is known to plan an important role in memory and learning.

In addition to being used as a nootropic, ALCAR is also popular in bodybuilding and fitness communities. There are some studies that suggest supplementing with L-Carnitine will help you build muscle by increasing androgen receptors in the body.⁶ It has also been shown to reduce muscle damage after exercise.⁷

Now, let's take a look at ALCAR's nootropic benefits as well as its potential as a fat burner.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Nootropic Benefits

Unlike regular l-carnitine, supplementing with ALCAR can have a number of nootropic benefits. As mentioned above, ALCAR is able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier while regular l-carnitine does not. Here are some of the nootropic benefits of ALCAR that users have reported:

• Improved Mood
• Improved Memory
• Faster Learning
• Increased Attention
• Improved Concentration
• Heightened Perception

There are numerous anecdotal reports of these and other nootropic benefits of supplementing with ALCAR. But what does the science have to say about it? Let's take a look at some studies that have been done on ALCAR.

Improved mood – A lot of people who have used ALCAR report that it improves their mood. A scientific review published in 2018 looked at the antidepressant properties of ALCAR.⁸ This review concluded that ALCAR may have significant mood-boosting properties for people with depression and without the serious side effects often seen with prescription antidepressants.

Another scientific paper published in the same year noted that people diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) had lower levels of acetyl l-carnitine than their non-depressed counterparts.⁹ This goes a long way to explain why some people report a dramatic reduction in their depression after supplementing with ALCAR.

Improved memory – Another nootropic benefit that people often report from supplementing with ALCAR is improved memory. Some people find that they are able to memorize and remember things better after taking acetyl l-carnitine. And there is a lot of science to support these claims.

A 2001 study done on rats explored the effect ALCAR had on their ability to learn.¹⁰ This study found that rats given acetyl l-carnitine had a greater capacity for learning than the in the control group.

A review published in 2008 looked at ALCAR's potential as a treatment for mood disorders and its role in neurocognitive enhancement.¹¹ This review concluded that ALCAR can offer neuroprotective and potentially cognition-enhancing effects for people with neuropsychiatric disorders like depression.

Increased attention – At least one study has looked at ALCAR's potential to increase attention. A 2002 study compared ALCAR to a placebo in children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).¹² The researchers found that the children who were given ALCAR had significant improvements in their ability to pay attention and stay focused.

ALCAR For Fat Loss

In addition to the nootropic benefits of acetyl l-carnitine, some users report that it has helped them to lose weight. However, the science is mixed. Let's take a look at what the science has to say about ALCAR's potential as a fat burner.

A study published in 2010 showed that supplementing with carnitine chemically increased the body's ability to burn fat.¹³ This study also noted a number of positive health effects from supplementation. Another study from 2000 looked at the effect carnitine supplementation had on fat oxidation (burning) in rats.¹⁴ The researchers concluded that carnitine supplementation “promotes fatty acid oxidation.”

Unfortunately, not all studies on carnitine's effect on fat loss have been as promising. A 2002 study looked at the effect carnitine supplementation had on fat loss in rats on a low-calorie diet.¹⁵ The rats given l-carnitine did not experience any more fat loss than the rats in the control group. A similar study published in 2005 showed that rats on a regular-calorie (maintenance) diet did not experience any fat loss from l-carnitine supplementation.¹⁶

Lastly, a human study published in 2000 looked at the effect that l-carnitine had on fat loss.¹⁷ The participants in this study were overweight, middle-aged women. The women who were given 2 grams of l-carnitine twice a day didn't show any more fat loss than the women in the control group.

So as you can see, the science is mixed when it comes to ALCAR's potential as a fat burner. Some people swear that it works. However, more human research is needed before it can conclusively be stated one way or the other. But given ALCAR's safety, it can't hurt to try. Speaking of which, let's take a look at the potential side effects of ALCAR.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Side Effects

The safety of carnitine supplementation has been extensively studied. It is considered to be very safe at recommended dosages. This is not surprising since l-carnitine can be created naturally within your body.

A study published in 2001 looked specifically at the safety of l-carnitine in men.¹⁸ Participants took 3 grams of l-carnitine a day for 3 weeks. The researchers administered a number of different blood tests and found that l-carnitine supplementation did not affect liver or kidney function, electrolyte levels, red and white blood cell counts, or any other biomarkers. They concluded that l-carnitine supplementation is extremely safe.

Acetyl l-carnitine side effects are rare and usually very mild. They can include nausea, headache, and upset stomach. These side effects can be reduced by taking ALCAR with food.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Dosage

The recommended acetyl l-carnitine dosage is between 500-2,500 milligrams (mg) a day, taken in 1-2 doses.¹ It is recommended that you start with the lowest dosage (500 mg) and work your way up as needed. Some people get results from as little as 500 mg, but others require several times that. As noted above, carnitine supplementation has been shown to be safe at a dosage of up to 3 grams (3,000 mg) a day.

Acetyl L-Carnitine is water soluble and can be taken with or without food. However, it may absorb better on an empty stomach. But if you experience nausea and upset stomach, you should take it with food.

Stacking Acetyl L-Carnitine

Many people report improved cognitive performance with acetyl l-carnitine by itself. However, more and more people are adding ALCAR to their nootropic stacks for added benefits.

“Stacking” nootropics simply means taking more than one at a time for increased benefits. Some nootropics that are commonly stacked with acetyl l-carnitine are alpha-GPC, modafinil, aniracetam, and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). As it has a very good safety record, you should be able to safely stack ALCAR with just about any other nootropic.

Where to buy Acetyl L-Carnitine

ALCAR can be purchased from various nootropic vendors around the internet and may even be available in select supplement shops. Pure Nootropics offers acetyl l-carnitine in capsule form. They have excellent products, reasonable prices, fast shipping, and great customer service.

If you prefer to consume your nootropics in powder form, I recommend Science.bio. They have ALCAR and a variety of other nootropic powders. And like Pure Nootropics, Science.bio has an amazing selection of high-quality products, reasonable prices, fast shipping, and good customer service.

Conclusion

Acetyl l-carnitine is an interesting nootropic. It can improve mood, increase memory and focus, and may even help to burn a little fat. However, the jury's still out on that one. But given ALCAR's low cost and excellent safety profile, it makes a great addition to just about any nootropic stack.

To learn about dozens of other nootropics, some may also help you to lose weight, sign up for the Nootropics Zone newsletter. You'll get the free PDF, The Ultimate Nootropics Quick Reference Guide.

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