Acetyl-L-carnitine health benefits and side effects

Information on Acetyl L-Carnitine

Acetyl l-carnitine is a certain type of dietary supplement which is very beneficial because it can be used for a vast array of different sorts of medical conditions and ailments. It needs to be taken in proper dosages and it should not be mixed with other sorts of drugs or medicaments because these may trigger certain side effects. It is actually a naturally occurring compound which can be commonly found in the human body. It is usually obtained from dairy products and dairy meat. Acetyl l-carnitine gets derived from lysine amino acids and methionine but it gets synthesized in the liver and the kidneys later on. Other body tissues require it as well.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Health Benefits

The main purpose of acetyl l-carnitine is the maintenance of proper functioning of mitochondria. Mitochondria are located in the cells of the human body and their main role is the produce energy. Most people produce enough acetyl l-carnitine on their own, but there are still those who need to take it in a supplementary form. Such persons are usually those who have certain types of genetic defects and prematurely born babies as well. Acetyl l-carnitine in its supplemental form can be of great help when it comes to the prevention and treatment of weight loss, male infertility, facial paralysis, nerve pain caused by HIV medications or diabetes, cataracts, poor circulation in the brain caused by stroke, cognitive problems caused by alcoholism, Down syndrome, depression in the elderly, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, age related memory problems and even Alzheimer’s disease. The proper dosage of acetyl l-carnitine is usually determined according to the patient’s weight. Those are usually between 1000 and 4000 milligrams per day.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Side Effects

Acetyl l-carnitine is usually completely safe and it is rarely associated with the occurrence of any side effects. Even when they do occur they are usually caused by improper dosage or perhaps interactions with certain other medicaments or drugs. One must always consult the doctor before using acetyl l-carnitine supplements, especially if the patient has allergies, epilepsy, seizures, underactive thyroids or if she is pregnant. Drugs commonly associated with certain harmful interactions include Taxol, paclitaxel, stavudine, didanosine, various HIV-AIDS drugs and cisplatin. Minor side effects of this supplement include body odor, foul breath that smells of fish, upset stomach, vomiting and nausea. Serious side effects of acetyl l-carnitine include signs of allergic reactions, manic behavior, aggression, depression, confusion and agitation.