Acetyl L-Carnitine 637.5mg | Source of Carnitine | Energy Metabolism and Cognitive Function Support | 120 Vegan Capsules

Each capsule contains 637.5mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) from 750mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl, the hydrochloride salt form used for stability and precise dosing. At the suggested use of 1 capsule 3 times per day, this formula delivers 1912.5mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine daily. Acetyl L-Carnitine is the acetylated form of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring amino acid derivative found in virtually all cells of the body. The acetyl group distinguishes ALCAR from standard L-carnitine in two important ways: it allows ALCAR to cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently, and it provides an acetyl group that can be used for acetylcholine synthesis in the brain. Source of carnitine. Supports energy metabolism. Supports cognitive function. Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963). 100% vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and soy-free. Made in Canada in a quality-controlled facility. 120 vegan capsules.

Key Benefits

• Source of carnitine
• Supports energy metabolism
• Supports cognitive function
• Crosses the blood-brain barrier efficiently
• Provides acetyl group for acetylcholine synthesis
• Supports mitochondrial fatty acid transport and beta-oxidation
• 637.5mg Acetyl L-Carnitine per capsule (from 750mg ALCAR HCl)
• 1912.5mg ALCAR daily at suggested use (3 capsules per day)
• 120 vegan capsules (40-day supply at full dose)
• Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963)
• Made in Canada in a quality-controlled facility
• 100% vegan and non-GMO
• Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free

What Is Acetyl L-Carnitine?

L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine, with vitamin C, vitamin B6, niacin, and iron as required cofactors. It is found in virtually all cells of the body, with the highest concentrations in tissues with high energy demands such as the heart, skeletal muscle, and brain. L-Carnitine is also obtained from dietary sources, primarily red meat and dairy products, with plant foods containing very little carnitine.

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is the acetylated form of L-carnitine, in which an acetyl group (CH3CO-) is attached to the carnitine molecule. This acetylation is not merely a chemical modification for stability. It fundamentally changes the biological properties of carnitine in two critical ways that distinguish ALCAR from standard L-carnitine supplements.

From 750mg ALCAR HCl: This formula uses Acetyl L-Carnitine hydrochloride (HCl), the salt form of ALCAR. The HCl salt is more stable and hygroscopically stable than the free base form. Each 750mg of ALCAR HCl provides 637.5mg of free base Acetyl L-Carnitine (85% free base equivalent), which is the amount stated as the medicinal ingredient per capsule.

ALCAR vs. L-Carnitine: Two Critical Differences

1. Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration: Standard L-carnitine does not efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier, the selective barrier that controls what substances can enter the brain from the bloodstream. Acetyl L-Carnitine, by contrast, crosses the blood-brain barrier efficiently due to its acetyl group, which increases its lipophilicity and allows it to utilize specific transport mechanisms. This is the primary reason ALCAR is the preferred carnitine form for cognitive function support, while standard L-carnitine is more commonly used for peripheral energy metabolism and exercise performance.

2. Acetyl Group for Acetylcholine Synthesis: Once inside the brain, ALCAR can donate its acetyl group to choline to form acetylcholine, the primary neurotransmitter of the cholinergic system involved in memory, learning, and attention. This dual action, providing both carnitine for mitochondrial function and an acetyl group for acetylcholine synthesis, makes ALCAR uniquely suited for cognitive function support compared to standard L-carnitine.

Carnitine and Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism

The primary biochemical role of carnitine in the body is to transport long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation, the process by which fatty acids are broken down to generate ATP. This transport function is essential for cellular energy production from fat:

The Carnitine Shuttle: Long-chain fatty acids (14 carbons or longer) cannot cross the inner mitochondrial membrane on their own. They must first be activated to acyl-CoA and then transferred to carnitine by the enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) on the outer mitochondrial membrane, forming acylcarnitine. The acylcarnitine is then transported across the inner mitochondrial membrane by carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase (CACT), where carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT-II) transfers the fatty acid back to CoA for beta-oxidation. Free carnitine is returned to the cytoplasm to repeat the cycle.

Beta-Oxidation: Once inside the mitochondrial matrix, the fatty acyl-CoA undergoes beta-oxidation, a cyclical process that progressively cleaves two-carbon units from the fatty acid chain, generating acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2 with each cycle. Acetyl-CoA enters the Krebs cycle for further ATP generation, while NADH and FADH2 feed into the electron transport chain. Beta-oxidation is the primary energy source for the heart and a major energy source for skeletal muscle during sustained activity.

ALCAR in the Mitochondria: ALCAR participates in the carnitine shuttle as an acylcarnitine, contributing to mitochondrial acetyl-CoA pools and supporting the balance between free CoA and acyl-CoA in the mitochondrial matrix. This supports mitochondrial metabolic flexibility and energy production efficiency.

Cognitive Function Support

ALCAR supports cognitive function through multiple mechanisms that are unique to the acetylated form of carnitine:

Acetylcholine Precursor: The acetyl group of ALCAR can be transferred to choline by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) to form acetylcholine, the primary neurotransmitter of the cholinergic system. The cholinergic system is involved in attention, learning, memory formation, and memory retrieval. By providing an acetyl group for acetylcholine synthesis, ALCAR supports cholinergic neurotransmission in the brain.

Mitochondrial Support in Neurons: Neurons have exceptionally high energy demands and are heavily dependent on mitochondrial ATP production. ALCAR supports mitochondrial function in neurons by facilitating fatty acid transport and contributing to mitochondrial acetyl-CoA pools, supporting the energy supply for neuronal function.

Neuronal Membrane Support: ALCAR supports the synthesis and maintenance of phospholipids in neuronal cell membranes, contributing to membrane integrity and fluidity, which are important for normal neuronal signaling and function.

Understanding the Dosage

Acetyl L-Carnitine (from ALCAR HCl): 637.5mg per capsule
ALCAR HCl per Capsule: 750mg
Suggested Use: Adults: 1 capsule, 3 times per day
Daily ALCAR Intake: 1912.5mg (3 x 637.5mg)
Total Capsules: 120 (40-day supply at full dose)
Non-Medicinal Ingredients: Hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose

Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage for your individual needs. The 3-times-per-day dosing schedule distributes ALCAR intake throughout the day to support consistent blood and tissue levels.

Who May Consider This Product

• Individuals seeking cognitive function support from a carnitine supplement
• Those wanting a source of carnitine that crosses the blood-brain barrier
• People seeking energy metabolism support through mitochondrial fatty acid transport
• Those wanting acetylcholine precursor support alongside carnitine
• Individuals interested in mitochondrial function support in neurons
• Those wanting a Health Canada approved carnitine supplement
• Vegans and vegetarians (ALCAR is synthetically produced, not from animal sources)
• Those seeking Canadian-made carnitine supplements

Quality and Purity

• Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963)
• 637.5mg Acetyl L-Carnitine per capsule (from 750mg ALCAR HCl)
• Vegan capsules (hypromellose)
• 120 capsules (40-day supply at 3 capsules per day)
• Made in Canada in a quality-controlled facility
• 100% vegan and non-GMO
• Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep bottle tightly sealed.

Safety Information

Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney disease, or have a seizure disorder. Do not use if you have a known allergy to carnitine. May cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals; 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).

About Acetyl L-Carnitine 637.5mg | Source of Carnitine for Energy Metabolism and Cognitive Function

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is the acetylated form of L-carnitine that crosses the blood-brain barrier efficiently and provides an acetyl group for acetylcholine synthesis, making it the preferred carnitine form for cognitive function support. As a source of carnitine, ALCAR supports mitochondrial fatty acid transport via the carnitine shuttle and beta-oxidation, contributing to cellular energy metabolism. At 637.5mg per capsule (from 750mg ALCAR HCl) with a suggested use of 3 capsules per day (1912.5mg daily), this formula provides a clinically relevant daily dose of ALCAR. Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963), 100% vegan, and made in Canada in a quality-controlled facility.