Acetyl Carnitine

Acetylcarnitine or acetyl- L -carnitine occurs naturally in the body and is taken as a supplement as an antioxidant and as an aid to increasing energy and metabolism. Acetylcarnitine has an important role in energy production in that it transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for breakdown.

Acetyl carnitine has been found to improve physical and/or cognitive function in some patients.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is effective at carrying long-chain fatty acids across the membrane into the mitochondria where they are burned for energy production and utilized efficiently by the cells. There is a theory that ME/CFS is based in mitochondrial dysfunction. Supplementing with acetyl-l-carnitine may potentially improve energy production and lessen fatigue.

Notable studies

 * 1994, Acylcarnitine deficiency in chronic fatigue syndrome