ALCAR

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By Dwayne Jackson, PhD

Today most fat-burning supplements contain a blend of central-nervous-system stimulants that rev up the body, and in turn, produce their effects through increased metabolic rate. For some, getting jacked up on stimulants means nothing more than increased energy and dampened appetite, but for many others these ingredients bring about a buzz of undesirable side effects such as headaches, anxiety and insomnia.

Recently researchers have delved deep into the labs in search of substances that boost fat burning without the unwanted stimulantlike effects. One promising compound that has received scientific recognition is acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), the acetyl ester of L-carnitine, which is essential for fat metabolism as it's responsible for transporting fatty acids to the mitochodria (your cells' powerhouses) to be oxidized. It occurs naturally in animal products, with red meats and dairy products being the most abundant sources. Scientists have developed ALCAR to be readily digested and result in much greater L-carnitine bioavailability and absorption.

Clinical study has repeatedly shown that under exercise conditions where glycolytic (breakdown of glucose for energy) flux is high, there's a consistent decline in muscle carnitine content. This decline correlates very well with a decrease in fat oxidation (i.e., fat-burning).1'2 In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism an acute increase in skeletal muscle total carnitine content (as noted with ALCAR ingestion) was shown to result in greater use of bodyfat as an energy source, even under conditions of high carbohydrate availability. Additional support for L-carnitine as a fat burner comes from a study published in Metabolism involving slightly overweight males. The researchers concluded that supplementing with L-carnitine results in increased oxidation of fatty acids without an accompanied increase in protein catabolism (breakdown).4 Moreover, data shows that when levels of muscle carnitine fall, exercise-induced fat burning is blunted.3 Add ALCAR's fat-burning prop¬erties to the fact that it's stimulant-free, and you have one potent supplement.

ACETYL L-CARNITINE (ALCAR):

A highly bioavailable source of L-carnitine.

DERIVED FROM?

It's normally obtained in the diet from red meats. ALCAR is an acetylated version of L-carnitine that's more readily absorbed and is significantly more potent.

RECOMMENDED DOSE?
1.5OO milligrams-2,000 milligrams per day.

TAKE WHEN?
Split into 2-3 equal doses; take first dose
upon waking, one dose 30 minutes before
training, and then one dose immediately
post-workout.

WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS:
Adequate L-carnitine levels are necessary for fat metabolism. Heavy exercise is known to burn up L-carnitine stores and, in turn, blunt fat-burning.
Supplementation with ALCAR can ensure an adequate level of L-carnitine, enhance fat-burning and halt any cata-bolic activity brought on by exercise.

THE DOC'S TAKE:
If you want to burn fat without feeling overstimulated, while keeping protein catabolism at bay, consider this recent evidence that clearly demonstrates the importance of adding ALCAR to your supplement protocol.

SAFETY?
ALCAR is generally well tolerated, but as with all supplements you should consult your physician before taking ALCAR.

References:
1. van Loon LJ, GreenhajfPL, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Saris WH, ft WagenmakersAJ(2001). The effects of increasing exercise intensity on muscle fuel utilisation in humans. 1 Physiol 536,295-304.
2. RoepstorffC, HalbergN, Hillig T, Saha AK, Ruderman NB,
Wojtaszewski JF, Richer EA, & Kiens B (2005). Malonyl-CoA
and carnitine in regulation of fat oxidation in human skeletal
muscle during exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 288,
133-142.
3. Stephens FB, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Laithwaite D, Simpson
EJ, & GreenhaffPL (2006). An acute increase in skeletal
muscle carnitine content alters fuel metabolism in resting
human skeletal muscle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 91(12):1513-
18.
4. Wutzke KD ft Lorenz H (2004). The effect ofL-carnitine on
fat oxidation, protein turnover, and body composition in
slightly overweight subjects. Metabolism 53,1002-1006.