Acetyl L-Carnitine 637.5mg | ALCAR | Source of Carnitine | 120 Vcaps x 3 | NPN 80141963

Each capsule delivers 637.5mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR), derived from 750mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl. A source of carnitine. Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963). 100% vegan, non GMO, gluten free, soy free. Made in Canada. This listing is a 3-pack: 3 x 120 capsules = 360 capsules total (120 day supply per bottle at 3 capsules per day; 240 day supply total).

Why Choose This Formula

• 637.5mg Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) per capsule (from 750mg ALCAR HCl)
• Source of carnitine (Health Canada approved, NPN 80141963)
• ALCAR crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than plain L-carnitine
• Acetyl group donates to acetyl-CoA, the precursor to acetylcholine synthesis
• 3 capsules per day: 1,912.5mg ALCAR daily (from 2,250mg ALCAR HCl)
• 3-pack value: 360 capsules total, 120 day supply per bottle, 240 day supply total
• 100% vegan, non GMO, gluten free, soy free, made in Canada

Who Should Use This

• Adults seeking a source of carnitine in the acetylated ALCAR form that crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than plain L-carnitine
• Those who want a high-dose ALCAR formula: 637.5mg per capsule, 1,912.5mg per day at 3 capsules
• Those committed to consistent long-term daily ALCAR use who want the best value: 360 capsules, 240 day supply total
• Those who want a 100% vegan, single-ingredient ALCAR capsule made in Canada

Do not use if: you have a known allergy to carnitine. Consult a healthcare practitioner before use if pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney disease, or have a seizure disorder. See full safety information below.

What This Product Does

Acetyl L-Carnitine is a source of carnitine. That is the Health Canada approved use (NPN 80141963). Carnitine plays an essential role in energy metabolism: it is required for the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation, the process by which fatty acids are broken down to generate ATP. Without carnitine, long-chain fatty acids cannot enter the mitochondria for energy production.

The acetylated form (ALCAR) has two additional properties compared to plain L-carnitine: it crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily, and its acetyl group can be donated to coenzyme A (CoA) to form acetyl-CoA, the central metabolite of the citric acid cycle and the substrate for acetylcholine synthesis in the brain.

ALCAR vs. L-Carnitine: The Key Differences

L-carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) are both forms of carnitine, but they differ in structure and properties in ways that matter for supplementation.

Structure: ALCAR is L-carnitine with an acetyl group (CH3CO) attached to the nitrogen. This acetylation increases the lipophilicity of the molecule, which has two important consequences.

Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selective barrier formed by tight junctions between brain capillary endothelial cells that restricts the passage of most molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. L-carnitine crosses the BBB poorly due to its hydrophilic nature. ALCAR crosses the BBB more readily due to its acetyl group, which increases lipophilicity and facilitates transport via the organic cation transporter OCTN2 as well as passive diffusion. This makes ALCAR the preferred carnitine form for applications targeting the central nervous system.

Acetyl-CoA Donation: Once inside cells, ALCAR can transfer its acetyl group to coenzyme A (CoA) to form acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA is the central metabolite that enters the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) for ATP production and is also the substrate for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine (ACh) from acetyl-CoA and choline. Acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system and is critical for memory formation and cognitive function. This acetyl-CoA donation is unique to ALCAR and does not occur with plain L-carnitine.

Carnitine's Role in Fatty Acid Transport: Both L-carnitine and ALCAR serve as sources of carnitine for the carnitine shuttle system. Long-chain fatty acids (14 carbons or longer) cannot cross the inner mitochondrial membrane on their own. They must be conjugated to carnitine by carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) on the outer mitochondrial membrane to form acylcarnitine, transported across the inner membrane by carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase (CACT), and then released by carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT-II) on the inner membrane for entry into beta-oxidation. Carnitine is regenerated and recycled in this process.

Understanding 637.5mg from 750mg ALCAR HCl

Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl is the hydrochloride salt form of ALCAR, used for improved stability and solubility in capsule manufacturing. The HCl salt has a higher molecular weight than the free base form of ALCAR. The ratio of free base ALCAR to ALCAR HCl is approximately 85%: 750mg of ALCAR HCl yields 637.5mg of active Acetyl L-Carnitine free base. This is standard pharmaceutical salt conversion and is how the medicinal ingredient is expressed on the Health Canada NPN label: 637.5mg Acetyl L-Carnitine (from 750mg Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl).

The 3-Pack: Best Value for Long-Term Daily Use

This listing contains 3 bottles of 120 capsules each, for a total of 360 capsules. At the suggested dose of 3 capsules per day, each 120-capsule bottle provides a 40 day supply. The 3-pack provides a total of 120 days of supply per bottle equivalent, or 240 days total across all three bottles, making it the best value option for those who use ALCAR as a consistent daily supplement and want to minimize reorder frequency and cost per capsule.

Dosage and Supply

Acetyl L-Carnitine: 637.5mg per capsule (from 750mg Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl)
Suggested Use: Adults: 1 capsule, 3 times per day
Daily intake: 1,912.5mg ALCAR (from 2,250mg ALCAR HCl)
Capsules per bottle: 120
Bottles in this listing: 3 (360 capsules total)
Supply per bottle: 40 days at 3 capsules per day
Total supply (3-pack): 120 days at 3 capsules per day
Non Medicinal Ingredients: Hypromellose, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose

Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use for your individual needs.

Quality and Purity

• Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963)
• 637.5mg Acetyl L-Carnitine per capsule (from 750mg ALCAR HCl)
• Vegan hypromellose capsule
• 100% vegan, non GMO, gluten free, soy free
• 3 x 120 capsules (360 total, 120 day supply)
• Made in Canada

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep bottles tightly sealed after each use.

Safety Information and Cautions

Contraindication: Do not use if you have a known allergy to carnitine.

Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney disease, or have a seizure disorder.

May cause gastrointestinal discomfort or disturbances; taking with food may help minimize this.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Keep out of reach of children.

This product is approved by Health Canada (NPN 80141963).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Acetyl L-Carnitine and L-Carnitine?
ALCAR has an acetyl group attached to the nitrogen of L-carnitine. This increases lipophilicity, allowing ALCAR to cross the blood-brain barrier more readily than plain L-carnitine. ALCAR can also donate its acetyl group to coenzyme A to form acetyl-CoA, the substrate for acetylcholine synthesis. Plain L-carnitine does not have these properties.

Why does the label say 637.5mg from 750mg ALCAR HCl?
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl is the hydrochloride salt form used for stability and solubility. The HCl salt is approximately 85% active ALCAR free base by weight: 750mg HCl salt yields 637.5mg of active Acetyl L-Carnitine. This is standard pharmaceutical salt conversion.

Is Acetyl L-Carnitine vegan?
Yes. Despite the name carnitine coming from Latin carnis (meat, where it was first isolated), ALCAR used in supplements is synthetically produced and is not animal-derived. All non-medicinal ingredients (hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose) are also vegan.

Why is there a caution for seizure disorders?
Carnitine modulates GABA-A receptor activity and may affect seizure threshold in some individuals. Additionally, valproic acid (a common anticonvulsant medication) depletes carnitine, creating complex interactions. Those with a seizure disorder should consult a healthcare practitioner before use.

Why is there a caution for kidney disease?
Carnitine and its metabolites (acylcarnitines) are primarily excreted by the kidneys. In kidney disease, these compounds can accumulate. Supplementation in the context of kidney disease requires medical supervision.

How does the 3-pack compare to the single bottle and 2-pack?
All three listings contain the same 120-capsule bottles of Acetyl L-Carnitine 637.5mg (NPN 80141963). The single bottle provides 40 days of supply at 3 capsules per day. The 2-pack provides 80 days. The 3-pack provides 120 days, making it the best value per capsule for those committed to consistent long-term daily use.

About Acetyl L-Carnitine 637.5mg | ALCAR | Source of Carnitine | 120 Vcaps x 3

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) delivers 637.5mg per capsule (from 750mg ALCAR HCl) as a source of carnitine. ALCAR is the acetylated form of L-carnitine: the acetyl group increases BBB penetration via OCTN2 transporter and passive diffusion, and enables acetyl-CoA donation for the citric acid cycle and acetylcholine synthesis via choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Carnitine is essential for the CPT-I/CACT/CPT-II shuttle that transports long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation. At 3 capsules per day: 1,912.5mg ALCAR daily. Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963). 100% vegan (synthetically produced, not animal-derived). 3-pack: 360 capsules, 120 day supply. Do not use if allergic to carnitine. Consult a healthcare practitioner if pregnant, breastfeeding, have kidney disease, or have a seizure disorder. Made in Canada.