Acetyl-L-Carnitine, also known as ALCAR, Acetyl-Levocarnitine, Acetylcarnitine, L-Acetylcarnitine, Levacecarnine, and ST-200 is, by definition, an acetylated form of L-carnitine that is purportedly a superior form of L-carnitine in terms of bioavailability for most people. ALCAR supplementation is clinically known for being nueroprotective, and some researchers believe that it has beneficial effects on Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, depression, Peyronie’s disease and peripheral nerve injuries.

So what does all this have to do with fat loss?

Carnitine is also known as a nutrient that helps the body convert fat into energy. It is produced by most people naturally in the liver and kidneys as a normal function of the body and then stored for future reserves in our skeletal system as well as the heart, brain and even in a man’s sperm. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring vitamin in the body that behaves in an antioxidant fashion. It is however, not considered to be an essential nutrient because most bodies can produce adequate amounts naturally, even though researchers feel that this nutrient has significant positive effects on our energy production as well as on the normal functions of our brain. It is the energy production, energy metabolism and the transportation of fatty acids in our bodies that make this a popular supplement for those seeking to reduce body fat.

Some people are deficient and thus may have a harder time losing weight because their body does not make enough Acetyl-L-Carnitine to effectively transport it into the tissues for use. For these people there is a supplemental form available that is also used to treat medical conditions ranging from mild to serious. Carnitine is often used to enhance exercise performance and treat fatigue, this supplementation is also frequently used in conjunction with conventional medicine.

Diets rich in red meat (especially lamb) and dairy products are high in carnitine and smaller amounts are found in fish, poultry, wheat, asparagus, avocados and peanut butter, and while there is no specific dietary requirement for this nutrient, many body builders and weight loss counselors believe that supplementation of ALCAR is advantageous to increase metabolism of body fat into energy thus reducing fat stores in the body. Technically the way it works is that L-carnitine actually helps in the oxidation process of your fatty acids; this creates the conversion of fat to energy. The reason your body sometimes needs a boost in its ability to do this is because fatty acids frequently do not break down enough to enter your mitochondria system where they would typically be broken down into digestible energy and burned up. L-Carnitine actually facilitates this process in your body naturally with little to no negative side effects while additionally improving mental performance, exercise performance and any other physical performance that requires the body to utilize a high energy output. This supplement may also benefit in your recovery rate from exercise as well as the reduction of fatigue, making it possible to work out longer and more frequently, thus burning even more calories and fat. The antioxidant functions of L-carnitine are also thought to be beneficial in anti-aging which is a very attractive plus along with being beneficial in some ocular issues such as cataracts.

Since Acetyl L-Carnitine is 100% natural, it appears that it is worth considering adding this supplement to your weight loss and body building regimen. You can find it in supplemental capsules or as an ingredient in some vitamins.