Nootropic Effects of Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Acetyl L-Carnitine is a supplement that is naturally found in red meat and fish. The compound plays an important role in the transport of fatty acids to the mitochondria for conversion into fuel.
It can be also synthesized from other amino acids, making it an excellent alternative to traditional carnitine food sources.
Many studies have been conducted on this supplement and all of them have shown significant improvements in many areas including the ability to focus, memory, and exercise performance.
In this article, we will discuss the nootropic effects of ALCAR in more detail.
1. Improves Brain Energy
ALCAR has been shown to boost brain energy metabolism by improving mitochondrial function, which then leads to an increase in the production of ATP. This increase in ATP leads to an improvement in brain energy levels and the ability to focus and concentrate. Speaking of which…
2. Enhances Focus
Alcar improves mental focus by making sure that we are getting more ATP and getting rid of toxins. Even though it doesn’t have any direct effect on neurotransmitters, it improves their functioning. It can be especially helpful for people who have ADHD or ADD because they don’t produce enough dopamine on their own.
ALCAR also helps to stimulate acetylcholine receptors, which is linked to memory, attention span, and learning ability.It helps people with depression by reducing their stress levels. It has been shown to help people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders by stabilizing moods, improving memory and reducing stress.
3. Sharpens Memory
Cognitive function improves after taking ALCAR because the metabolic rate of mitochondria increases. And acetylcholine levels are boosted as well, which leads to increased activity of cholinergic pathways in the brain.
This leads to better memory as well as improved attention span and focus. ALCAR has been shown to improve cognitive function in rats time and time agin. However, when it comes to improving cognition and mood, it seems to work just as well in humans.
4. Protects from Neuron Degeneration
There are many ways ALCAR can protect your brain cells from oxidative stress, including “mopping up” free radicals that harm cells when they react with healthy molecules. It also protects nerve cell membranes and supports the production of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin.
The antioxidant activity of ALCAR is related to its ability to increase the production of natural antioxidants, a process that involves activating genes involved in the manufacture of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione. Another benefit of ALCAR is its ability to reduce inflammation in your brain cells, which can result in improved cognitive function and mood.
5. Elevates Mood
A major use case for acetyl l-carnitine is for people who suffer from depression and anxiety. Many people take acetyl l-carnitine because it has been shown to have a number of other benefits as well including; reducing chronic pain, improving exercise performance, and decreasing the risk of cancer or heart disease.
