Quasi-vitamin amino acid · transports long-chain fatty acids into mitochondrial matrix for β-oxidation · ALCAR (acetyl-L-carnitine) crosses BBB and improves elderly episodic memory. Low levels associated with fatigue + sarcopenia + cognitive decline.
6L-carnitine appears in 6 protocols personalizable→Quasi-vitamin amino acid · synthesized in liver/kidney from lysine + methionine · transports long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) to mitochondrial matrix for β-oxidation.
L-carnitine (β-hydroxy-γ-trimethylammoniumbutyrate) is a quasi-vitamin amino acid the body synthesizes in liver and kidney from lysine + methionine (requires vit C, B6, iron and niacin as cofactors). Its primary function: transport long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) from cytosol to mitochondrial matrix where they undergo β-oxidation to produce ATP. Without enough carnitine, LCFAs don't enter the mitochondria · β-oxidation falls and intramuscular fat tissue accumulates.
The two main forms with clinical use are: L-carnitine tartrate (LCLT) for muscle + athletic endurance (Wall 2011 Spriet+Greenhaff RCT), and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) that crosses BBB for cognition and depression (Wang 2014 meta-analysis cognition in MCI). Low levels associated with chronic fatigue, sarcopenia, hepatic steatosis and cognitive decline. The TMAO-microbiota-CV debate is calmed by DiNicolantonio 2024 meta-analysis: supplementation doses <3 g/day without adverse clinical CV effect.
5 pivotal studies · coverage of muscle repletion, ALCAR cognition, fatigue, cardiovascular health (TMAO debate) and depression.
| Study | Finding | Hallmarks |
|---|---|---|
L-carnitine tartrate and muscle repletion Wall, Greenhaff · J Physiol 2011 | RCT n=14 men · 2 g LCLT + 80g CHO × 2/day × 24 weeks · muscle carnitine +21% (only documented human repletion). Glycogen depletion reduction +35%. | MitoAthletics |
ALCAR and MCI cognitive decline Wang et al · Geriatr Psychiatry 2024 | Meta-analysis 13 RCTs · n=948 elderly MCI/mild Alzheimer · ALCAR 1.5-3 g/day × 12 weeks improved ADAS-Cog +1.8 points and episodic memory. | CognitionMCI |
L-carnitine and athletic fatigue + recovery Fielding et al · Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023 | Meta-analysis 12 RCTs endurance athletes · 2-3 g/day × 4 weeks · DOMS −24%, max lactate −12%, effort perception −15%. | AthleticsRecovery |
ALCAR and depression vs SSRIs Veronese et al · Psychosom Med 2024 | Meta-analysis 12 RCTs · n=791 · ALCAR 1.5-3 g/day equivalent efficacy HAMD-21 vs standard SSRIs with 60% fewer adverse effects. | DepressionMood |
My Protocol generates 3 personalized plans with exact form, dose and combos based on your profile. No commitment.
López-Otín 2023 maps 12 aging hallmarks · direct impact (gold-deep) and indirect (sage).
4-phase protocol · LCLT with CHO for muscle · ALCAR fasted for cognition · synergy prevents muscle stagnation.
Morning + post-training with sports drink (insulin spike facilitates muscle uptake). Maintain 12-24 weeks (muscle repletion is slow · Wall 2011 demonstrated +21% at 24 weeks). Without CHO muscle absorption is marginal.
For MCI/mild Alzheimer, brain fog, mild depression. ALCAR crosses BBB efficient · LCLT doesn't. Morning fasted or pre-cognitive task. Maintain 12 weeks for measurable effect (Wang 2024).
For athletes + knowledge workers (gym + work). Covers muscle and brain tissue ranges. Medium cost · pro budget.
For CFS/ME, fibromyalgia, post-COVID with severe fatigue. Combine with CoQ10 200 mg + Mg glycinate 400 mg + B12 methylcobalamin = canon mitochondrial fatigue stack. Re-measure at 12 weeks.
3 forms with distinct clinical use · L-tartrate (LCLT) muscle · ALCAR brain · PLC vascular-specific.
3 tiers · Carnipure® (Lonza) is the canon extract · LCLT for muscle · ALCAR for cognition · label must specify exact form.
Dose: 500 mg ALCAR/capsule (3/day = 1.5 g)
Form: Acetyl-L-carnitine HCl pure 99%
Cert.: USA GMP · cGMP · NSF · third-party tested
Fillers: Only ALCAR + HPMC capsule + microcrystalline cellulose. Zero.
Dose: 1,000 mg LCLT/tablet (2 g/day = 4 g LCLT)
Form: Carnipure® (Lonza) patented tartrate
Cert.: USA GMP · Informed Sport · Carnipure quality seal
Fillers: Cellulose, stearic acid (common, OK).
Dose: 2 g/scoop (includes scoop)
Form: Pure 99% LCLT powder
Cert.: UK GMP · Informed Sport
Fillers: Only LCLT powder. Zero.
My Protocol recommends form + brand + exact dose based on your age, budget and biomarkers. No commitment · 3 minutes.
3 biomarkers · useful baseline pre-chronic supplementation · TMAO only in advanced CV profile.
Total + free + acylcarnitine serum. Optimal range: 30-50 µmol/L free. Clinical deficiency <20 µmol/L. Useful pre-decision supplementation in idiopathic chronic fatigue. Available Synlab, Cerba (~40-60 €).
TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide). Optimal range: <4 µmol/L. Microbiota CV marker · raising is carnitine debate. Useful baseline + post 12 weeks. Available research labs (~80-120 €). DiNicolantonio 2024: doses <3 g/d without clinical effect.
Venous lactate post-exercise. Optimal range: <8 mmol/L post-max effort test. Carnitine reduces lactate at same load (Fielding 2023 −12%). Objective tracking in athletes.
Total carnitine + free + acylcarnitine + CoQ10 + creatine kinase + lactate. Pre/post 12 weeks L-carnitine to verify individual response. Useful baseline pre-supplementation chronic fatigue. We verify clinics in-situ.
Cases requiring medical consultation before chronic use or high doses.
4 combos · mitochondrial fatigue + cognition + athletics focus.
Canon mitochondrial fatigue stack. L-carnitine LCFA shuttle · CoQ10 ETC complex I/III. Combo covers upstream + downstream energy chain. Useful CFS/ME + post-COVID + endurance athletes.
ALA + ALCAR is the Bruce Ames "young again" cocktail · aged mouse studies: reverses mitochondrial cognitive decline. Synergy documented in vitro + in vivo.
Mandatory for LCLT muscle uptake (Wall 2011). Without insulin spike, LCLT doesn't enter muscle. Post-training with sports drink: canon ratio 80 g CHO + 2 g LCLT.
Mg cofactor CPT-I (carnitine palmitoyltransferase) · B6 cofactor endogenous carnitine synthesis. Combo covers enzymatic cofactors of mitochondrial shuttle.
8 real questions · answers based on Wall + Wang + DiNicolantonio literature.
Supplements · treatments · biomarkers for your complete protocol.
My Protocol cross-references +500 clinical parameters and generates 3 personalized plans with supplements, treatments and biomarkers adapted to your case.
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