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Acetyl L-Carnitine & Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Source Naturals
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(3402 ratings)
Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg
Product Image
Score84
A well-matched ALCAR and alpha-lipoic-acid tablet for mitochondrial support. Clear dosing is balanced by unspecified ALA form and blood-sugar considerations.
How scoring works
Quantity:60 Tablet(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Metabolism Boost
Energy
Brain Health
Anti-Aging
Cognitive Support
Mental Focus
Productivity Boost
Weight Loss

Score 84

A well-matched ALCAR and alpha-lipoic-acid tablet for mitochondrial support. Clear dosing is balanced by unspecified ALA form and blood-sugar considerations.
How scoring works
$19.98($0.33 per serving)
iHerb
$ 23.82
iHerb
$ 23.46
Vitacost
$ 23.79
Amazon
$ 19.98
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Analysis

ALCAR supports mitochondrial fuel handling and brain energy, while alpha-lipoic acid adds antioxidant and glucose-metabolism support. Both actives are supplied at meaningful amounts.

The carnitine hydrochloride form is clearly named. Alpha-lipoic acid is not described by isomer or stabilized form, leaving some quality detail unknown.

One tablet provides a convenient combined routine. People using glucose-lowering medicines need to account for alpha-lipoic acid's potential metabolic effect.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking combined mitochondrial and antioxidant support
  • Users wanting ALCAR with alpha-lipoic acid
Best for
  • Cellular-energy routines
  • Metabolic support without stimulants

Pros

  • Useful ALCAR amount
  • Meaningful alpha-lipoic acid
  • One-tablet serving

Cons

  • ALA form is not specified
  • No purity testing supplied
  • Calcium contribution is nutritionally minor

Warnings

  • Alpha-lipoic acid may lower blood glucose
  • ALCAR may cause restlessness
  • Review use with thyroid or diabetes medicines

Nutrient quality

91 Highest impact

Useful acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid amounts create a coherent mitochondrial formula. The minor calcium carrier does not meaningfully dilute the design.

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Ingredient transparency

82 Highest impact

All listed active amounts are disclosed without a hidden blend. Some form details, daily-use directions, and non-active tablet ingredients are missing.

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Customer satisfaction

68 High impact

The available rating is favorable and the sample is very large. Detailed feedback was not supplied, so repeated complaints and alignment with the intended use remain uncertain.

.

Value for money

93 Highest impact

Meaningful complementary doses and a substantial supply provide strong value. The minor calcium carrier does not inflate the formula.

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Goals

Metabolism Boost
Metabolism Boost
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitA Strength of SupportB CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Acetyl L-Carnitine · 500 mg

Acetyl L-carnitine supports mitochondrial fatty-acid transport, while alpha-lipoic acid adds antioxidant and glucose-related support. Both actives are supplied at meaningful disclosed amounts.

The pairing covers complementary mitochondrial and nutrient-signaling pathways without unnecessary complexity. Alpha-lipoic acid may add to the glucose-lowering effect of insulin or sulfonylurea medicines.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Adverse 1 study
Energy
Energy
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitA- Strength of SupportC+ CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Acetyl L-Carnitine · 500 mg

Acetyl L-carnitine directly supports mitochondrial fuel transport, while alpha-lipoic acid supports energy metabolism and antioxidant recycling. Both actives are clearly disclosed at meaningful amounts, creating a focused cellular-energy combination.

The formula lacks an acute-alertness or adaptogenic pathway, but it provides strong depth for mitochondrial support. Alpha-lipoic acid may lower blood glucose, so people using insulin or sulfonylureas should account for a possible additive glucose-lowering effect.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 19 studies
Brain Health
Brain Health
Impact
Highest effect
B+ Goal FitA- Strength of SupportB CoverageA+ Formula Quality

Acetyl L-carnitine supports brain energy and acetylcholine production, while alpha-lipoic acid adds antioxidant protection. The pairing addresses two complementary aspects of neuronal resilience.

The 500 mg acetyl L-carnitine amount reaches a practical starting range, and its hydrochloride form is clearly identified. Alpha-lipoic acid is also disclosed at a meaningful supporting amount.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 19 studies
Anti-Aging
Anti-Aging
Impact
Highest effect
B+ Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportB- CoverageA+ Formula Quality

Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid form a relevant mitochondrial and antioxidant pairing for healthy aging. The amounts provide useful support, though the alpha-lipoic acid level is modest for a primary active.

The focused formula addresses cellular energy, oxidative stress, and metabolic signaling without unrelated ingredients. Alpha-lipoic acid may lower blood glucose, which matters for people using insulin or sulfonylureas.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 1 study
Cognitive Support
Cognitive Support
Impact
Highest effect
B+ Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportC+ CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Acetyl L-Carnitine · 500 mg

Acetyl-L-carnitine supports brain energy metabolism, while alpha-lipoic acid adds antioxidant and mitochondrial support. Their clearly stated amounts create a focused combination for mental energy and neural resilience.

Human cognitive evidence is stronger in selected aging or fatigue settings than in healthy young users, and the formula does not address membranes or memory adaptogens. Alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood sugar and may add to insulin or other glucose-lowering medicines.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 20 studies
Mental Focus
Mental Focus
Impact
Highest effect
B- Goal FitA- Strength of SupportC CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Acetyl L-Carnitine · 500 mg

Acetyl L-carnitine supports brain energy and acetylcholine production, while alpha-lipoic acid adds antioxidant support. Human evidence is more relevant to fatigue or cognitive impairment than to an immediate focus boost in healthy users.

The acetyl L-carnitine amount reaches a useful range, and both main actives are precisely disclosed. The compact pairing is coherent but does not address alertness, stress resilience, or multiple neurotransmitter systems.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 7 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Calcium (Dibasic Calcium Phosphate)
 23 mg
Acetyl L-Carnitine (Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl)
 500 mg
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
150 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Dairy Free Sugar Free Vegetarian
Report overview
Acetyl L-Carnitine (Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl) · 500 mg OverallScore90
A- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB Value

The 500 mg dose uses acetyl L-carnitine HCl as the sole carnitine form and sits within the standard clinical range. Exact dose disclosure and favorable cost per active amount support practical daily use, though no branded source or purity certification is supplied. The added 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid broadens the formula but may lower blood glucose, which matters for people using insulin or sulfonylureas.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
84 Performance

Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate

Life Extension
<p>Ingredient coverage is more compelling because two identified acetyl-L-carnitine salts provide a combined 620 mg serving. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; the alternative provides a more differentiated and clearly disclosed way to support the same collection.</p>
81 Performance

RegenerLife Watermelon

Natural Factors
<p>Ingredient coverage is more compelling because 1,500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine is paired with 300 mg CoQ10 plus measured glutathione and antioxidant enzymes. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; the alternative provides a more differentiated and clearly disclosed way to support the same collection.</p>
81 Performance

CoQ10 + Alpha Lipoic Acid + Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl

Nature's Lab
<p>Ingredient coverage is more compelling because 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine is paired with 300 mg alpha-lipoic acid and 200 mg CoQ10. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; the alternative provides a more differentiated and clearly disclosed way to support the same collection.</p>
87 Budget

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg

Swanson
<p>It offers a lower listed serving cost while retaining a clearly described active formula. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; in comparison, a focused 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride serving avoids unrelated additions.</p>
86 Budget

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg

Source Naturals
<p>It offers a lower listed serving cost while retaining a clearly described active formula. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; in comparison, a focused 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride serving avoids unrelated additions.</p>
86 Budget

Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500 mg

The Vitamin Shoppe
<p>It offers a lower listed serving cost while retaining a clearly described active formula. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; in comparison, a focused 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride serving avoids unrelated additions.</p>
86 Value

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg

Swanson
<p>It balances practical value with a purposeful formula because a focused 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride serving avoids unrelated additions. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; the alternative offers a useful trade-off between ingredient focus, disclosed amounts, and serving cost.</p>
85 Value

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg

Source Naturals
<p>It balances practical value with a purposeful formula because a focused 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride serving avoids unrelated additions. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; the alternative offers a useful trade-off between ingredient focus, disclosed amounts, and serving cost.</p>
84 Value

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg

Nature's Way
<p>It balances practical value with a purposeful formula because a focused 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride serving avoids unrelated additions. The original pairs 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine with 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid; the alternative offers a useful trade-off between ingredient focus, disclosed amounts, and serving cost.</p>
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Acetyl-L-carnitine improves cognitive functions in severe hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized and controlled clinical trial.
    Malaguarnera M; Vacante M; Motta M; Giordano M; Malaguarnera G; Bella R; Nunnari G; Rampello L; Pennisi G · Metabolic brain disease · 2012
    Randomized trial61 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  2. Oral acetyl-L-carnitine therapy reduces fatigue in overt hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
    Malaguarnera M; Vacante M; Giordano M; Pennisi G; Bella R; Rampello L; Malaguarnera M; Li Volti G; Galvano F · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2011
    Randomized trial121 participantsEnergy forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  3. Double-blind, placebo controlled study of acetyl-l-carnitine in patients with Alzheimer's dementia.
    Rai G; Wright G; Scott L; Beston B; Rest J; Exton-Smith AN · Current medical research and opinion · 1990
    Randomized trial36 participantsBrain Health forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  4. Carnitine for fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
    Tejani AM; Wasdell M; Spiwak R; Rowell G; Nathwani S · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2012
    Systematic review1 studies pooledEnergy forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  5. Mental impairment in aging: selection of patients, methods of evaluation and therapeutic possibilities of acetyl-L-carnitine.
    Passeri M; Iannuccelli M; Ciotti G; Bonati PA; Nolfe G; Cucinotta D · International journal of clinical pharmacology research · 1989
    Randomized trial30 participantsBrain Health forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  6. Double-blind, multicenter trial comparing acetyl l-carnitine with placebo in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients.
    Rossini M; Di Munno O; Valentini G; Bianchi G; Biasi G; Cacace E; Malesci D; La Montagna G; Viapiana O; Adami S · Clinical and experimental rheumatology · 2007
    Randomized trial102 participantsEnergy forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  7. The Effect of Acylcarnitines on Cognitive Function: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.
    Luan S; Zhang J; Wang C; Wang Z; Zhou J · Brain and behavior · 2025
    OtherBrain Health forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  8. Acylcarnitines metabolism in depression: association with diagnostic status, depression severity and symptom profile in the NESDA cohort.
    Montanari S; Jansen R; Schranner D; Kastenmüller G; Arnold M; Janiri D; Sani G; Bhattacharyya S; Mahmoudian Dehkordi S; Dunlop BW; Rush AJ; Penninx BWHJ; Kaddurah-Daouk R; Milaneschi Y · Translational psychiatry · 2025
    Cohort study2,574 participantsEnergy forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  9. Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty to Frailty in Older Subjects: A Randomized Interventional Clinical Trial.
    Malaguarnera G; Catania VE; Bertino G; Chisari LM; Castorina M; Bonfiglio C; Cauli O; Malaguarnera M · Current pharmaceutical design · 2022
    Randomized trial92 participantsAnti-Aging forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  10. Acetyl-L-carnitine treatment in minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
    Malaguarnera M; Gargante MP; Cristaldi E; Vacante M; Risino C; Cammalleri L; Pennisi G; Rampello L · Digestive diseases and sciences · 2008
    Randomized trial125 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  11. Long-term acetyl-L-carnitine treatment in Alzheimer's disease.
    Spagnoli A; Lucca U; Menasce G; Bandera L; Cizza G; Forloni G; Tettamanti M; Frattura L; Tiraboschi P; Comelli M · Neurology · 1991
    Randomized trial130 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  12. Pharmaco-electroencephalographic and clinical effects of the cholinergic substance--acetyl-L-carnitine--in patients with organic brain syndrome.
    Herrmann WM; Dietrich B; Hiersemenzel R · International journal of clinical pharmacology research · 1990
    Randomized trialBrain Health forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  13. Acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of mildly demented elderly patients.
    Passeri M; Cucinotta D; Bonati PA; Iannuccelli M; Parnetti L; Senin U · International journal of clinical pharmacology research · 1990
    Randomized trial60 participantsBrain Health Mental Focus forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  14. A double-blind, parallel, multicenter comparison of L-acetylcarnitine with placebo on the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in fragile X syndrome boys.
    Torrioli MG; Vernacotola S; Peruzzi L; Tabolacci E; Mila M; Militerni R; Musumeci S; Ramos FJ; Frontera M; Sorge G; Marzullo E; Romeo G; Vallee L; Veneselli E; Cocchi E; Garbarino E; Moscato U; Chiurazzi P; D'Iddio S; Calvani M; Neri G · American journal of medical genetics. Part A · 2008
    Randomized trial63 participantsCognitive Support forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  15. Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue.
    Malaguarnera M; Gargante MP; Cristaldi E; Colonna V; Messano M; Koverech A; Neri S; Vacante M; Cammalleri L; Motta M · Archives of gerontology and geriatrics · 2008
    Randomized trial96 participantsCognitive Support forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  16. The supplementation of acetyl-L-carnitine decreases fatigue and increases quality of life in patients with hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon-α 2b plus ribavirin.
    Malaguarnera M; Vacante M; Bertino G; Neri S; Malaguarnera M; Gargante MP; Motta M; Lupo L; Chisari G; Bruno CM; Pennisi G; Bella R · Journal of interferon & cytokine research : the official journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research · 2012
    Randomized trial60 participantsEnergy forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  17. Acetyl-L-carnitine reduces depression and improves quality of life in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
    Malaguarnera M; Bella R; Vacante M; Giordano M; Malaguarnera G; Gargante MP; Motta M; Mistretta A; Rampello L; Pennisi G · Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology · 2011
    Randomized trial67 participantsEnergy forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  18. A prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral acetyl-L-carnitine for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
    Sun Y; Shu Y; Liu B; Liu P; Wu C; Zheng R; Zhang X; Zhuang Z; Deng Y; Zheng L; Xu Q; Jiang B; Ouyang X; Gao J; Xu N; Li X; Jiang S; Liang C; Yao Y · Experimental and therapeutic medicine · 2020
    Randomized trial239 participantsEnergy forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  19. Metabolomic biomarkers for (R, S)-ketamine and (S)-ketamine in treatment-resistant depression and healthy controls: A systematic review.
    Kumar R; Nuñez NA; Joshi N; Joseph B; Verde A; Seshadri A; Cuellar Barboza AB; Prokop LJ; Medeiros GC; Singh B · Bipolar disorders · 2024
    Systematic reviewEnergy forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  20. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation During HCV Therapy With Pegylated Interferon-α 2b Plus Ribavirin: Effect on Work Performance; A Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Malaguarnera G; Pennisi M; Gagliano C; Vacante M; Malaguarnera M; Salomone S; Drago F; Bertino G; Caraci F; Nunnari G; Malaguarnera M · Hepatitis monthly · 2014
    Randomized trial62 participantsMental Focus Productivity Boost forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  21. [Psycho-functional changes in attention and learning under the action of L-acetylcarnitine in 17 young subjects. A pilot study of its use in mental deterioration].
    Lino A; Boccia MM; Rusconi AC; Bellomonte L; Cocuroccia B · La Clinica terapeutica · 1992
    Non-randomized trial17 participantsMental Focus forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  22. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a multi-site, placebo-controlled pilot trial.
    Arnold LE; Amato A; Bozzolo H; Hollway J; Cook A; Ramadan Y; Crowl L; Zhang D; Thompson S; Testa G; Kliewer V; Wigal T; McBurnett K; Manos M · Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology · 2008
    Randomized trial112 participantsMental Focus forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  23. Acetyl-L-carnitine for patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
    Martí-Carvajal AJ; Gluud C; Arevalo-Rodriguez I; Martí-Amarista CE · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2019
    Meta-analysis398 participants5 studies pooledMental Focus forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  24. Low Bioavailability and High TMAO Production: Novel Insights Into Acetylcarnitine and Carnitine Metabolism.
    Krims-Davis K; Ozola M; Razzivina V; Gukalova B; Konrade I; Dambrova M; Liepinsh E · Molecular nutrition & food research · 2025
    Randomized trialMetabolism Boost forAcetyl L-Carnitine