Product Information
Unived’s ALCAR is an Acetyl- L-Carnitine supplement that has potential multiple effects on different physiological and metabolic pathways that could improve athletic performance in both moderate- and high-intensity exercises.
Key Benefits
- Improves exercise performance.
- Improves recovery after exercise.
- Reduces muscle damage and soreness.
- Improves oxygen uptake during exercise.
- Enhances cognition.
- Reduces lactate formation
- Helps turn fat into energy, supporting weight loss.
Ingredient Information
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine - 500mg
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There is a decrease in both plasma and muscle L-Carnitine levels during high-intensity exercises. Therefore, it is suggested that supplemental L-Carnitine will greatly reduce potential effects of this decrease and to retain high muscle and plasma Carnitine levels [7].
Acetyl-L-Carnitine, or ALCAR, is L-Carnitine to which an acetyl group (-COCH3) has been added, and is thought to be the most bioavailable form of L-Carnitine. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino acid the body uses to turn fat into energy [1]. Acetylcarnitine is a high-energy compound, the acetyl units stored as acetylcarnitine during heavy exercise would be available if the exercise intensity decreased. Also, the acetyl unit would not require metabolic energy to re-form acetyl-CoA [10].
A few studies demonstrated the effects of L-Carnitine in endurance athletes [1]. During low to moderate exercise, long chain fatty acids represent the main source of energy. L-Carnitine has been suggested to spare muscle glycogen and promote fat oxidation during exercise, and a proposed conversion of fat into energy seems likely to be reflected by a reduction in body weight. In addition, L-Carnitine supplementation has been shown to spare amino acid usage as a source of energy making them available potentially for new protein synthesis [1, 2]. L-Carnitine reduces the hazardous effects of hypoxic exercises and plays an important role in recovery from damage caused by exercise [7]. Study indicates that L-Carnitine supplementation improves exercise endurance under normobaric/normoxic and hypobaric hypoxic conditions [9]. L-Carnitine may enhance blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscle tissue via improved endothelial function, thereby reducing hypoxia-induced cellular and biochemical disruptions and, therefore, improving muscle recovery [11].
L-Carnitine crosses blood brain barrier where ALCAR is metabolized for energy and incorporated into the carbon skeleton of the neurotransmitters GABA which is key for brain focus and relaxation [3]. Study refer that acetyl moiety from ALCAR can be oxidized for energy, serve as a precursor for acetylcholine, and be incorporated into amino acid neurotransmitters and lipids in brain [4, 5]. Acetyl-L-Carnitine alters brain energy metabolism and increases noradrenaline and serotonin content. [6]
References:
1. Grivas, Gerasimos V. "The role of L-carnitine in distance athletes." Int. J. Sports Sci 8 (2018): 158-163.
2. Fielding, Roger, et al. "L-carnitine supplementation in recovery after exercise." Nutrients 10.3 (2018): 349.
3. Ferreira GC, McKenna MC. L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochem Res. 2017 Jun;42(6):1661-1675. doi: 10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7. Epub 2017 May 16. PMID: 28508995; PMCID: PMC5621476.
4. Scafidi et.al., in Ferreira GC, McKenna MC. L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochem Res. 2017 Jun;42(6):1661-1675. doi: 10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7. Epub 2017 May 16. PMID: 28508995; PMCID: PMC5621476.
5. Ricciolini et al., in Ferreira GC, McKenna MC. L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochem Res. 2017 Jun;42(6):1661-1675. doi: 10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7. Epub 2017 May 16. PMID: 28508995; PMCID: PMC5621476.
6. Smeland OB, Meisingset TW, Borges K, Sonnewald U. Chronic acetyl-L-carnitine alters brain energy metabolism and increases noradrenaline and serotonin content in healthy mice. Neurochem Int. 2012 Jul;61(1):100-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.04.008. Epub 2012 Apr 23. PMID: 22549035.
7. Orer, Gamze E., and Nevin A. Guzel. "The effects of acute L-carnitine supplementation on endurance performance of athletes." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 28.2 (2014): 514-519.
9. Panjwani, Usha, et al. "Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on endurance exercise in normobaric/normoxic and hypobaric/hypoxic conditions." Wilderness & environmental medicine 18.3 (2007): 169-176.
10. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research; Marriott BM, editor. Food Components to Enhance Performance: An Evaluation of Potential Performance-Enhancing Food Components for Operational Rations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1994. 21, The Role of Carnitine in Enhancing Physical Performance.
11. Wutzke, Klaus D., and Henrik Lorenz. "The effect of l-carnitine on fat oxidation, protein turnover, and body composition in slightly overweight subjects." Metabolism 53.8 (2004): 1002-1006.
Mode of Action:
- Carnitine Stimulates Fatty Acid Oxidation which helps turn fat into energy by carrying fatty acids across mitochondrial membrane and into mitochondria where they are oxidized for energy production [9].
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- Prevents Accumulation of Lactate which can acidosis and impair performance [9, 10].
- Improves recovery after exercise and enhances oxygen utilization and limit muscle damage & muscle soreness. [8]
- Promotes fat loss through oxidation of fat. [11]
- Increase acetylcholine level in the brain. [3]
- Increase Carnitine content in muscle. [12]
- Increase endothelial function and oxygen supply [12].
- Increase antioxidant enzyme status [12].
References:
3. Ferreira GC, McKenna MC. L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochem Res. 2017 Jun;42(6):1661-1675. doi: 10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7. Epub 2017 May 16. PMID: 28508995; PMCID: PMC5621476.
8. Spiering, Barry A., et al. "Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on muscle oxygenation responses to resistance exercise." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 22.4 (2008): 1130-1135.
9. Panjwani, Usha, et al. "Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on endurance exercise in normobaric/normoxic and hypobaric/hypoxic conditions." Wilderness & environmental medicine 18.3 (2007): 169-176.
10. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research; Marriott BM, editor. Food Components to Enhance Performance: An Evaluation of Potential Performance-Enhancing Food Components for Operational Rations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1994. 21, The Role of Carnitine in Enhancing Physical Performance.
11. Wutzke, Klaus D., and Henrik Lorenz. "The effect of l-carnitine on fat oxidation, protein turnover, and body composition in slightly overweight subjects." Metabolism 53.8 (2004): 1002-1006. 12. Mielgo-Ayuso J, Pietrantonio L, Viribay A, Calleja-González J, González-Bernal J, Fernández-Lázaro D. Effect of Acute and Chronic Oral l-Carnitine Supplementation on Exercise Performance Based on the Exercise Intensity: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 3;13(12):4359. doi: 10.3390/nu13124359. PMID: 34959912; PMCID: PMC8704793.
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Is this product safe to consume?
Yes it is.
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