Weight Loss Supplements
Weight Loss Supplements
Diet and exercise are important components in any healthy weight loss program. But given the nutritional deficiencies of our food supply these days, proper supplementation can also be of some assistance.
In this article we’ll look at one such supplement: Acetyl l-carnitine
Acetyl l-carnitine might sound like something far removed from our daily concerns, but it’s not. Given how many of us are overweight these days, this derivative of lysine and methionine amino acids is very important, because it is a recommended supplement for fatty acid oxidation. This can help you burn unwanted body fat and thereby lose weight.
What l-carnitine does is this: it transports fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes into the mitochondria, where they’re broken down and turned into energy. Fatty acids can’t penetrate the membrane on their own. In the human body, l-carnitine is mostly concentrated in the heart and skeletal muscles.
Acetyl l-carnitine also aids other biochemical processes in the body that help with neurotransmission and with releasing dopamine from neurons and binding it to receptors, making it a multifaceted aid to health. In addition to helping to burn body fat and improve energy production, acetyl l-carnitine can also help prevent cataracts, slow the signs of aging, improve memory and mental performance (especially in terms of short-term memory, attention to detail, and learning ability), increase reaction speed, and decrease symptoms of depression.
Acetyl l-carnitine is also being studied as a treatment for Alzheimers disease. It may slow the course of the disease by mitigating the brain’s deterioration. And it appears that benefits occur within three months and increase over time. It is also being studied as a possible supplement for person’s suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Some of the foods that we consume contain acetyl l-carnitine. Red meats, such as beef and lamb, are among the best sources. Vegetables and grains contain the substance as well, but not in as high concentrations as red meats. Our bodies can produce small amounts of it as well.
Deficiencies in acetyl l-carnitine are not common. Muscle cramping and muscle fatigue are some signs of possible deficiency. More severe signs are improper kidney function after exercise and heart irregularities. For some people this deficiency is hereditary; for others it is dietary. Supplementation is helpful in both cases.
Acetyl l-carnitine can have a stimulating effect in some people, so it’s a good idea not to take it in the evening. Other possible rare side effects are nausea and headache. Taking a lower dose than recommended on the product label usually takes care of these symptoms. A normal dose is 500 mg two to three times a day.
Consider adding this supplement to assist in your weight loss efforts. As with any new supplement, introduce it slowly into your diet to ensure there are no unwanted side effects.
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Bill Brine
Tags: diet, obesity, Weight Loss