Category: metabolite
Aliases: Levocarnitine, ALCAR (acetyl-L-carnitine), Propionyl-L-carnitine, carnitine, levocarnitine, LC
Shuttles long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs across the inner mitochondrial membrane via CPT1/CACT/CPT2 — the rate-limiting step in β-oxidation. Synthesised endogenously from lysine + methionine with vitamin C, B6, and iron cofactors. Supplementation raises muscle carnitine concentration only slowly (weeks) as uptake is insulin-dependent. ALCAR donates an acetyl group directly to ACh synthesis → cognitive rationale.
PO: 17h, IV: 17h