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Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements Review

Choose the Best Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplement. Don't Overpay! CL Identifies Quality Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements at the Best Value

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Initially Posted: 07/06/2012 | Last Updated: 08/28/2020
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements Tested by ConsumerLab.com

Acetyl-l-carnitine supplements compared in this review

Bluebonnet Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Doctor's Best Best Acetyl-L-Carnitine

GNC Acetyl L-Carnitine

Jarrow Formulas Acetyl L-Carnitine 500

Twinlab Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Vitacost Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Vitamin Shoppe Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Make sure the acetyl-l-carnitine supplement you take passed our quality review and is right for you!
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What is acetyl-l-carnitine? Who can benefit from it and what should you look for in an acetyl-l-carnitine E supplement? ConsumerLab.com answers these questions and more in this report. ConsumerLab.com also purchased and tested the ingredients in acetyl-l-carnitine products and rated their quality. It found that the price of comparable, high-quality products to vary enormously -- by as much as 300%!
 
ConsumerLab.com reviewed the evidence for the use of acetyl-l-carnitine for memory and cognition in older people with age-related memory problems, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, diabetic neuropathy and neuropathy associated with antiretroviral drug therapy, fibromyalgia, androgen decline in older men, male infertility, Peyronie's disease, and fragile X syndrome.
  
In this comprehensive review about acetyl-L-carnitine supplements, you'll get test results and quality ratings for seven products (including four that passed CL's Voluntary Certification Program). You'll learn:
  • Which acetyl-l-carnitine supplements passed or failed ConsumerLab.com's testing and review
  • Quality ratings and comparisons of acetyl-l-carnitine products
  • Who is most likely to benefit from acetyl-l-carnitine
  • The dosage of acetyl-l-carnitine used in treating or preventing conditions 
  • Potential side-effects of acetyl-l-carnitine supplements, warnings, and drug interactions
  • And more! 

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Latest Clinical Research Updates for Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-carnitine + Alpha-Lipoic Acid for Lowering Blood Pressure?

We were recently asked if taking a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid can help lower blood pressure. Find out what research shows in the What It Does section of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements Review. Also see our answer to the question: Which supplements can help to lower blood pressure?

Carnitine Heart Risk?

Supplementing with L-carnitine can raise blood levels of TMAO which can potentially advance atherosclerosis. However, the science is not clear, as suggested by a recent study. Get the details in the L-Carnitine section of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements Review.

L-Carnitine Caution

A study in which L-carnitine was given to women during chemotherapy had a surprising result: It worsened side effects. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements Review.

Concern Over Carnitine Causing Cardiovascular Disease

Intake of L-carnitine from supplements (and from red meat) may foster atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), according to new research. Once ingested, L-carnitine is converted in some people to a compound which reduces the normal clearing of cholesterol from arteries.

For more details, see the updated reviews of B Vitamin Supplements & Energy Drinks and Protein Powders, as some of these products contain L-carnitine. The Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements review has also been updated because acetyl-L-carnitine is chemically similar to L-carnitine, suggesting a potential concern.

Related CL Answers (5)

Sluggish

A few weeks after starting acetyl-L-carnitine, I became so sluggish I could hardly function. Could this be due to the supplement?

Find out if carnitine supplements can cause sluggishness and fatigue.

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Procera AVH information, including evidence from clinical studies on memory, cognition, mood, safety, and a lawsuit.
Supplements for Memory -- doctor holding a model of a brain and fish oil capsule

Do any supplements really help with brain function, like memory and cognition?

Find out which supplements help improve memory, brain function and cognition, including fish oil, some B vitamins, cocoa, and curcumin. ConsumerLab's answer explains the evidence for supplements promoted to help with brain function and cognition.

What is Brain Bright and can it really improve memory or cognition?

Learn more about BrainBright, including clinical studies on memory and cognition, safety, and cost.

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When taking Cialis or Viagra, is it safe to take arginine or other sexual enhancement supplements?

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