Description
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Neuroprotection from a Potent Carnitine Metabolite
1 PRODUCT DATA DOUGLAS LABORATORIES® 07/2015
DESCRIPTION
Acetyl-L-carnitine capsules, provided by Douglas Laboratories, each contain 500 mg of pure acetyl-L-carnitine.
FUNCTIONS
Acetyl-L-carnitine plays a key role in maintaining normal brain and nerve function during the normal aging
process. † Acetyl-L-carnitine is a naturally occurring metabolite of L-carnitine, and both are present in the diet,
particularly in foods of animal origin.
In most tissues of the body, both L-carnitine and acetyl-L carnitine are involved in fatty acid oxidation. They are
part of what is called the carnitine shuttle. L-carnitine shuttles fatty acids from the cytosol (the cell fluid) into
the mitochondria (the cell’s powerhouses) for oxidation and energy production. The main end products of fatty
acid oxidation are energy (in the form of NADH), and acetyl groups. Most of these acetyl groups are further
oxidized in the mitochondria’s Krebs cycle, but some are needed in the cytosol for producing other important
metabolites. Acetyl-L-carnitine provides a way to carry these acetyl groups through the mitochondrial
membranes back out into the cytosol.
In brain and other nerve tissues, this acetyl group export by acetyl-L-carnitine out of the mitochondria into the
cytosol is important in maintaining normal levels of acetyl groups for the production of acetylcholine and other
acetylated neurotransmitters that are so crucial for normal brain and nerve function. † The enzyme that makes
acetylcholine from acetyl groups and choline is the choline acetyl transferase. The activity of this important
enzyme has a tendency to decline during the normal aging process, causing low acetylcholine levels which in
turn, are thought to contribute to the impairment of brain function that is associated with aging. †
Besides maintaining normal acetylcholine levels, several studies indicate other neuroprotective benefits of
acetyl-L-carnitine, which may be due to at least three modes of action. First, acetyl-L-carnitine has been
shown to maintain cellular membrane stability, and to restore age-related membranal changes. † Acetyl-Lcarnitine
can also act as an antioxidant, scavenging harmful superoxide radicals. Since superoxide can
damage membrane lipids, this may explain acetyl-L-carnitine’s membrane protective properties. Acetyl-Lcarnitine
preserves normal levels of nerve growth factor in brain tissue during aging. †
In summary, human studies showed up to 3 grams of supplemental acetyl-L-carnitine supports normal brain
and nerve function during the normal aging process through various mechanisms. These include its actions on
acetylcholine synthesis, membrane stability and nerve growth factor production.†
INDICATIONS
Acetyl-L-carnitine capsules may be a useful nutritional adjunct for individuals who wish to support the body’s
nervous system and brain function.
FORMULA (#82730)
Each Capsule Contains:
Acetyl-L-Carnitine............................. 500 mg
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Neuroprotection from a Potent Carnitine Metabolite
2 PRODUCT DATA DOUGLAS LABORATORIES® 07/2015
SUGGESTED USE
Adults take 1 capsule daily or as directed by physician.
This product can be taken with or without food.
SIDE EFFECTS
No adverse side effects reported.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.
Neuroprotection from a Potent Carnitine Metabolite
1 PRODUCT DATA DOUGLAS LABORATORIES® 07/2015
DESCRIPTION
Acetyl-L-carnitine capsules, provided by Douglas Laboratories, each contain 500 mg of pure acetyl-L-carnitine.
FUNCTIONS
Acetyl-L-carnitine plays a key role in maintaining normal brain and nerve function during the normal aging
process. † Acetyl-L-carnitine is a naturally occurring metabolite of L-carnitine, and both are present in the diet,
particularly in foods of animal origin.
In most tissues of the body, both L-carnitine and acetyl-L carnitine are involved in fatty acid oxidation. They are
part of what is called the carnitine shuttle. L-carnitine shuttles fatty acids from the cytosol (the cell fluid) into
the mitochondria (the cell’s powerhouses) for oxidation and energy production. The main end products of fatty
acid oxidation are energy (in the form of NADH), and acetyl groups. Most of these acetyl groups are further
oxidized in the mitochondria’s Krebs cycle, but some are needed in the cytosol for producing other important
metabolites. Acetyl-L-carnitine provides a way to carry these acetyl groups through the mitochondrial
membranes back out into the cytosol.
In brain and other nerve tissues, this acetyl group export by acetyl-L-carnitine out of the mitochondria into the
cytosol is important in maintaining normal levels of acetyl groups for the production of acetylcholine and other
acetylated neurotransmitters that are so crucial for normal brain and nerve function. † The enzyme that makes
acetylcholine from acetyl groups and choline is the choline acetyl transferase. The activity of this important
enzyme has a tendency to decline during the normal aging process, causing low acetylcholine levels which in
turn, are thought to contribute to the impairment of brain function that is associated with aging. †
Besides maintaining normal acetylcholine levels, several studies indicate other neuroprotective benefits of
acetyl-L-carnitine, which may be due to at least three modes of action. First, acetyl-L-carnitine has been
shown to maintain cellular membrane stability, and to restore age-related membranal changes. † Acetyl-Lcarnitine
can also act as an antioxidant, scavenging harmful superoxide radicals. Since superoxide can
damage membrane lipids, this may explain acetyl-L-carnitine’s membrane protective properties. Acetyl-Lcarnitine
preserves normal levels of nerve growth factor in brain tissue during aging. †
In summary, human studies showed up to 3 grams of supplemental acetyl-L-carnitine supports normal brain
and nerve function during the normal aging process through various mechanisms. These include its actions on
acetylcholine synthesis, membrane stability and nerve growth factor production.†
INDICATIONS
Acetyl-L-carnitine capsules may be a useful nutritional adjunct for individuals who wish to support the body’s
nervous system and brain function.
FORMULA (#82730)
Each Capsule Contains:
Acetyl-L-Carnitine............................. 500 mg
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Neuroprotection from a Potent Carnitine Metabolite
2 PRODUCT DATA DOUGLAS LABORATORIES® 07/2015
SUGGESTED USE
Adults take 1 capsule daily or as directed by physician.
This product can be taken with or without food.
SIDE EFFECTS
No adverse side effects reported.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.
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