What is Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) used for and who uses it?
Acetyl-L-carnitine is one of many forms of carnitine in the human body. Carnitines take several particular fatty acids to mitochondria to be used up as fuel. They also remove the waste products of this process. In a healthy individual, the kidneys control the level of carnitine — if you have more than what you need, it gets rid of the excess. If your intake is low in carnitine, the kidneys maintain what you have. This means those suffering from kidney failure and cancer stand to benefit the most from Acetyl-L-carnitine to make up and supplement their inability to process certain dietary nutrients. Acetyl-l-Carnitine is also an amino acid the body utilizes to burn fat and thus convert it into energy. Since the body can manufacture all it needs, ALCAR is not normally considered an essential nutrient. Regardless, the ability of certain tissues to produce energy can improve with the help of supplemental carnitine. This property has led to the utilization of carnitine in various muscle dis
