Researching the most effective supplements for runners is a passion of mine. And when talking about boosting your energy, Acetyl L-Carnitine is absolutely essential for increasing your capacity to exercise.

You are already putting in the work and pushing yourself to move farther and faster every day, so don’t ignore this powerful supplement! Experts have proven that it accelerates muscle recovery and reduces soreness. Now, I have talked about energy-boosting supplements before, but Acetyl L-Carnitine definitely deserves its very own spotlight here.

What is Acetyl L-Carnitine good for?

• The supplement is derived from the acetyl group of the amino acid L-carnitine.
• It occurs in the body naturally and aids with the production of energy.
• Acetyl L-Carnitine is effectively used for increasing blood flow to the brain.
• It is a great supplement for muscle recovery.

Common questions about the supplement:

• Is Acetyl L-Carnitine safe to take? If you follow the guidelines for dosage, yes, it is very safe. I take 1,500 mg every morning, but the dosage will vary among runners.
• What is the best Acetyl L Carnitine brand? I personally recommend taking this particular Acetyl L-Carnitine from LivOn Labs. My friends from LivOn Labs are using patented technology, where they wrap the Acetyl L-Carnitine in double-layered spheres (liposomes) that protect the nutrient through the digestive system. They transport it into the bloodstream for absorption in the cells. This way is way more effective instead of popping any pills.
• Is the product worth the hype? If taken consistently and in addition to persistent running, it definitely is. Below we talk about 3 key benefits of Acetyl L-Carnitine.

3 Benefits of Acetyl L-Carnitine

#1 Fat Burning

In case you were wondering if Acetyl L-Carnitine burns fat? Here's my thought on that: To burn fat effectively requires a process called lipid oxidation, which simply means the breakdown of fatty molecules by harnessing the power of free radicals. In short, supplements like Acetyl L-Carnitine work to transport long chains of fatty acids into the mitochondria—which as we all know is the powerhouse of the cell and certainly the mainstay of a powerful metabolism.

Encouraging the conversion of fatty acid chains inside of mitochondria has been done in a controlled manner and with carnitine supplementation for over 30 years now.

Scientists found the most effective supplementation was at least 6 months. So, if supplementing, make sure you take Acetyl L-Carnitine regularly and for the necessary amount of time. As the authors describe in this study on carnitine and its role in burning fat, those who took it for up to 6 months saw a 21% increase in muscle carnitine; versus those who took it for 3 months, who saw no increase.

#2 Energy Building

As mentioned above, Acetyl L-Carnitine works to transport fatty cells to the mitochondria. And you guessed it, the more nutrients the mitochondria have, the sooner the ball gets rolling on ATP production.

This will lead to more explosive running sessions and longer endurance. This is especially helpful when your schedule gets overwhelming and you need that little boost to help push you forward. Really, there is a lot of evidence that carnitine boost endurance and energy usage in a number of ways.

• Marathon runners benefit from an increased ability to manage energy.
• The lactic acid build-up isn’t as pronounced when balanced with carnitine supplementation. This means you won’t stop because of pain.
• More explosiveness means quicker miles and more output.
• Increased energy production means you burn more calories and overall are lighter on your feet.

#3 Brain Boosting

Being a powerful runner is mostly a mental game. That’s why the brain-boosting characteristics of Acetyl L-Carnitine shouldn’t be overlooked! Because let’s face it, a healthy brain is also a motivated brain.

In addition to being healthy for the cells of the brain, as well as contributing towards feel-good states, Acetyl L-Carnitine has also been shown to reduce the effects in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

For those who are not suffering from a significant form of cognitive decline, the supplement has also been proven to increase “synaptic transmission” in mice. Undoubtedly good news for us! Once again, for fat-burning, energy-building, and brain-boosting benefits, be sure to try this LivOn Labs Acetyl L-Carnitine supplement yourself.

Why you can trust Sabrina Wieser

Runningbrina is committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Her editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Sabrina uses data-driven methodologies to evaluate all products, so all brands are measured equally.

• Most featured running blog, past 6 years
• USATF certified running coach
• Experienced endurance athlete
• 7 marathons