It’s safe to say that the brain is one of our most precious organs simply because it is a complex organ that is responsible for all the qualities that define our humanity: body movement, our behavior and our intelligence, and the way we interpret information we get from our senses (1). It is made up of around 100 billion neurons, specialised cells that receive and send electrical impulses that carry important information all over our body (2).

The brain is also a delicate organ that can be affected by a wide range of events, from everyday encounters to long-term trauma and disorders (2). But however sensitive our brain can be, research suggests that its capacity to change and develop doesn’t stop or decline as we age (3). Our brain’s health is in our hands--but taking care of such an important part of our body can be overwhelming.

Taking care of your brain includes both keeping it active and engaged, and taking in vital nutrients for brain health. Let’s learn more about taking acetyl-L-carnitine for brain health.

A healthy brain goes a long way

You can keep your brain sharp and fit through activities that engage and stimulate, getting the right amount of sleep, staying active, and sticking to a well-balanced diet (3).

Research shows that our diet plays an important role in brain health. Certain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B and C, magnesium and beta carotene are needed in order for the brain to stay adaptable and healthy (4).

Sleeping an average of 8-10 hours can help our brain maintain its good health, and exercising our body can also stimulate brain wellness (4). Not only that, activities such as reading and playing games that require critical thinking can help our brain do better.

As we continue to lead a fast-paced modern life, it can be easy to slip by on one or two of these things unnoticed. Juggling your everyday tasks with the responsibility of staying healthy can be a lot. But don’t worry: Vitable Australia’s personalised vitamin subscription can help you find the best natural brain boosters you can add to your diet.

Acetyl-L-carnitine for brain health

The brain needs a constant supply of nutrients that help make sure our neurons are transporting information to and from our brain, maintaining nerve health and keeping our brain functions healthy (5). One of these nutrients is acetyl-L-carnitine or ALC, a form of L-carnitine.

Acetyl-L-carnitine plays an important role in energy production as it transports amino acids into cells (6). Acetyl-L-carnitine is a brain booster with the following benefits for brain health:

• Acetyl-L-carnitine aids in maintaining our nervous system function, which helps support brain health (7, 8).
• Acetyl-L-carnitine helps maintain cognitive functions through decreasing oxidative stress in our brain which may impact its health (8).
• Acetyl-L-carnitine further supports brain function by maintaining healthy blood lipids that are needed to stabilise the brain’s membrane composition. This is critical in maintaining the nervous system’s functions (9).

While the body is able to produce this vitamin, acetyl-L-carnitine supplements can help you achieve your daily requirement of said nutrient to support neurological health (10).

If you are looking to support brain health by meeting your daily requirement of brain nutrients, you’ve come to the right place! Vitable Australia offers a multivitamin subscription with delivery right to your doorstep. These multivitamin packs contain vitamins tailored to your health goals.

Find out more about other supplements that can support brain health:

Zinc | Iron | Astaxanthin | Ashwagandha | Magnesium | B complex | Vitamin C | Vitamin D | Daily probiotics | Vitamin B12 | Ginkgo Brahmi | Fish oil | Vegan Omega

*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.

References:

1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Content Team. “Brain Basics: Know Your Brain”. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Ninds.Nih.Gov. Published June 9, 2021 on https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Know-Your-Brain. Accessed December 3, 2021.
2. Better Health Channel Content Team. “Brain”. Better Health Channel: Betterhealth.Vic.Gov.Au. Published February 14, 2018 on https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/brain  . Accessed December 3, 2021.
3. The Brain Foundation Content Team. “Healthy Brain”. The Brain Foundation: Brainfoundation.Org.Au. Published on https://brainfoundation.org.au/healthy-brain/. Accessed December 3, 2021.
4. Government of South Australia Content Team. “Healthy Mind”. Government of South Australia: Sahealth.Sa.Gov.Au. Published on https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/healthy+mind/healthy+mind. Accessed December 3, 2021.
5. Oregon State University Content Team. “Cognitive Function In Depth”. Oregon State University: Lpi.Oregonstate.Edu. Published February 12, 2011 on https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/cognitive-function. Accessed December 4, 2021.
6. Malaguarnera, M. “Carnitine derivatives”. National Center for Biotechnology Information: Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov. Published March 28, 2012 on https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22333562/. Accessed December 4, 2021.
7. Scafidi, S., Fiskum, G., Lindauer, S. L., Bamford, P., Shi, D., Hopkins, I., & McKenna, M. C. “Metabolism of acetyl-l-carnitine for energy and neurotransmitter synthesis in the immature rat brain”. National Center for Biotechnology Information: Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov. Published May 13, 2010 on https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20477950/. Accessed December 4, 2021.
8. Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation Content Team. “Acetyl L-Carnitine”. Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation: Alzdiscovery.Org. Published August 4, 2016 on https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/ratings/acetyl-lcarnitine. Accessed December 4, 2021.
9. Ferreira, G. C., & McKenna, M. C. “l-Carnitine and Acetyl-l-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain”. National Center for Biotechnology Information: Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov. Published May 16, 2017 on https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28508995/. Accessed December 4, 2021.
10. Jones, L. L., McDonald, D. A., & Borum, P. R. “Acylcarnitines: Role in brain”. National Center for Biotechnology Information: Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov. Published Augsut 29, 2009 on https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19720082/. Accessed December 4, 2021