Acetyl L-Carnitine vs L-Carnitine: A Detailed Comparison
A customer came into the store the other day and asked me what the difference was between L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine. This is a common misunderstanding.
What is the Difference Between L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine?
L-Carnitine
Here’s the cool thing about L-Carnitine: our blood carries triglycerides to the cell where your body converts that blood fat to energy in the mitochondria (the power plant), of the cell.
What does L’carnitine do for you? Essentially it helps mobilize fat from fat storage deposits and shuttles it, like a little tram into the mitochondria to be burned as fuel. So, L’carnitine plays a significant role in weight loss and gives you energy for your workout.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Acetyl L-Carnitine on the other hand is a processed form of L-Carnitine that can pass through the blood-brain barrier to help energize your brain.
Another organic chemical is Acetylcholine - which is a primary neurotransmitter in the brain, released by a nerve cell or neuron that causes muscles to contract, activates pain responses, and regulates endocrine and REM sleep functions. Acetyl L-Carnitine helps to form acetylcholine.
Even though it's OK to take both forms, it may not be necessary. Because Acetyl L-Carnitine actually does everything that regular L-Carnitine does, plus it also can cross the blood/brain barrier and support cognitive functioning while regular L-Carnitine does not.