Carnitine and lipoic acid are often combined in supplements for their energy-boosting and anti-aging effects. Carnitine aids in energy production and bone cell production, while lipoic acid acts as an antioxidant and aids in energy production and neural function. Rat and horse studies have shown promising results, but caution is advised in human supplementation until more is known.
Lipoic acid and carnitine are two popular nutritional supplements that are often combined in nutritional supplements. Carnitine is an amino acid used in energy production, and lipoic acid is an antioxidant. When used together, lipoic acid and carnitine can improve energy and memory while reducing the effects of oxidation, which is why they are often combined for sports performance and anti-aging supplements.
Carnitine is an amino acid found in meat. It is used in the metabolism of fats and works in muscle energy production by aiding in the transport of fatty acids from cell bodies to their mitochondria, which are responsible for creating energy in cells. Carnitine is not considered an essential amino acid because the human body can make everything it needs. However, as people age, they tend to have lower levels of carnitine. Supplementation is believed to increase these levels and, in turn, increase energy.
Bone cell production also uses carnitine in its processes, and this amino acid plays an important role in maintaining bone mass. Maintaining bone mass is important for people as they age, especially women. Loss of bone mass, also known as osteoporosis, can lead to fractures and falls.
Although carnitine can increase energy production, energy production also increases oxidation, which can promote the effects of aging. To counteract increased oxidation, lipoic acid is frequently combined with carnitine in nutritional supplements. Also called alpha lipoic acid, this antioxidant is found naturally in broccoli, spinach, and beef.
In addition to having an antioxidant effect, alpha lipoic acid plays other important roles. It aids in energy production by breaking down carbohydrates.
Alpha Lipoic Acid also aids in neural function by increasing levels of another antioxidant known as glutathione.
In rat studies, results from tests using a combination of alpha lipoic acid and carnitine have been promising. Rats given nutritional supplements showed more energy and better memory as they aged, compared to a control group. It should be noted that the rats received a large amount of supplementation for much of their lives. This level of supplementation can be difficult for people to maintain.
Along with rat studies, studies of aging pedigree horses have also found that the combination of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-carnitine may be helpful in improving performance and reducing the signs of aging. Studies involving human subjects are ongoing. Caution is advised before taking high levels of lipoic acid and carnitine supplements until more is known about their effect in humans.
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