AOR ALCAR Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500mg - Cognitive Support | 120 Caps
Visit the AOR Store| Brand | AOR |
| Serving | 500 mg (1 capsule) |
| Licensed Natural Health Product | NPN 80039706 |
| Quality Standards | GMP-compliant facility |
| Country | Made in Canada  |
About this item
- 500 MG PER CAPSULE: Each capsule provides 500 mg of N-acetyl-L-carnitine (as N-acetyl-L-carnitine HCl) - a clear, consistent dose in every capsule.
- THE ACETYLATED FORM OF L-CARNITINE: ALCAR is the acetyl ester of L-carnitine. The acetyl group is understood to help it cross the blood-brain barrier and cell membranes more readily than plain L-carnitine.
- SUPPORTS COGNITIVE FUNCTION & ENERGY: Helps support cognitive function in the elderly, helps maintain cognitive function during aging, and helps reduce fatigue - a Health Canada-licensed use under NPN 80039706.
- HELPS RELIEVE DIABETIC NEUROPATHY PAIN: Also licensed to help relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, a use studied in placebo-controlled clinical trials.
- VEGAN, NON-GMO, GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE: A plant-based hypromellose capsule with sodium stearyl fumarate as the only other non-medicinal ingredient - a simple, clean formulation.
- SIMPLE ADULT DOSING: Take two to four capsules daily with food, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner - a 120-capsule bottle is up to a 60-day supply.
- PREMIUM CANADIAN QUALITY: Made in Canada in a GMP-compliant facility by Advanced Orthomolecular Research (AOR), licensed under Health Canada NPN 80039706.
- TRUSTED SINCE 1991: From AOR - three decades of science-based, evidence-informed formulations manufactured in Canada to high quality standards.
Product Description
ALCAR - Acetyl-L-Carnitine for Cognitive Function and Energy
The acetylated form of L-carnitine, understood to cross the blood-brain barrier more readily than plain L-carnitine. Helps reduce fatigue, helps support cognitive function in the elderly, helps maintain cognitive function during aging, and helps relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Licensed Natural Health Product NPN 80039706.
Pure N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine, 500 mg
One capsule, one clear dose - Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
The Acetylated Difference
Acetylation is understood to help this form of carnitine cross the blood-brain barrier and cell membranes more readily than plain L-carnitine, delivering it where cognitive and nerve support matters most.
Simple, Consistent Dosing
500 mg per capsule; take two to four capsules daily with food. A minimum of three months may be required before observing an effect.
What AOR ALCAR Supports
Acetyl-L-carnitine is a Health Canada-licensed Natural Health Product studied for its roles in brain energy metabolism, cognitive aging and nerve health.
Cognitive Function
Helps support cognitive function in the elderly and helps maintain cognitive function during aging.
Cellular Energy
Shuttles fatty acids into the mitochondria to help fuel energy production and reduce fatigue.
Nerve Health
Helps relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and supports healthy nerve function.
Blood-Brain-Barrier Access
The acetylated form is understood to reach the brain and nerve tissue more readily than plain L-carnitine.
AOR ALCAR: Supplement Facts
Each capsule contains:
- N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine (HCl)500 mg
Non-Medicinal Ingredients: Non-medicinal ingredients: Sodium stearyl fumarate. Capsule: hypromellose.
Recommended Use or Purpose: Helps to reduce fatigue. Helps to support cognitive function in the elderly. Helps maintain cognitive function during aging. Helps to relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Recommended Dose (Adults): Take two to four capsules daily with food, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner. Recommended Duration of Use: A minimum of three months may be required before observing an effect.
Cautions and Warnings: This product provides 1.59 g of single amino acid per day. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver or kidney disease, have been instructed to follow a low protein diet, if symptoms persist or worsen or for use beyond six months. Feelings of overstimulation and/or sleeplessness may occur, in which case discontinue use if symptoms persist or worsen. Low incidence of seizures has been reported with oral doses in individuals with or without a pre-existing seizure disorder. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms (transient nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea) have been reported. Body odour, flatulence, increased appetite or rash may occur.
Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than shown on our website. Always read labels, warnings and directions before using or consuming a product. This item is sold and shipped by Amazon.ca; purchases are completed on Amazon.
Chaque capsule contient :
- N-acétyl-L-carnitine (HCl)500 mg
Ingrédients non médicinaux : Ingrédients non médicinaux : fumarate de stéaryle de sodium. Capsule : hypromellose.
Usage ou fins recommandés : Aide à réduire la fatigue. Aide à soutenir la fonction cognitive chez les personnes âgées. Aide à maintenir la fonction cognitive au cours du vieillissement. Aide à soulager la douleur associée à la neuropathie diabétique.
Dose recommandée (adultes) : Prendre deux à quatre capsules par jour avec de la nourriture, ou selon les recommandations d'un professionnel de la santé qualifié. Durée d'utilisation recommandée : Un minimum de trois mois peut être nécessaire avant de ressentir des effets bénéfiques.
Mises en garde et précautions : Ce produit fournit 1,59 g d'un seul acide aminé par jour. Consultez un professionnel de la santé avant l'usage si vous êtes enceinte, si vous allaitez, si vous souffrez d'une maladie du foie ou des reins, si l'on vous a recommandé de suivre un régime pauvre en protéines, si les symptômes persistent ou s'aggravent, ou pour un usage de plus de six mois. Une sensation de surstimulation et/ou d'insomnie peut survenir; le cas échéant, cessez l'usage si les symptômes persistent ou s'aggravent. De rares cas de convulsions ont été signalés à la suite de doses orales chez des personnes avec ou sans trouble épileptique préexistant. De légers symptômes gastro-intestinaux (nausées passagères, vomissements, crampes abdominales et diarrhée) ont été signalés. Des odeurs corporelles, des flatulences, une augmentation de l'appétit ou une éruption cutanée peuvent survenir.
NPN 80039706
Support cognitive function and energy the easy way
Get AOR ALCAR on Amazon.ca - fast, protected delivery.
Get it on Amazon.caWhy AOR ALCAR
One licensed compound - four ways it supports your body.
Licensed cognitive & energy use
Health Canada-licensed to help reduce fatigue and support cognitive function in the elderly and during aging.
Crosses the blood-brain barrier
The acetylated form is understood to reach the brain and nerve tissue more readily than plain L-carnitine.
Nerve health support
Also licensed to help relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Premium Canadian brand
AOR - Advanced Orthomolecular Research, since 1991. NPN 80039706.
How to use it
Take 2-4 capsules daily
Take two to four capsules daily with food, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner.
Stay consistent
A minimum of three months may be required before observing an effect - consistency matters more than dose-chasing.
Watch how you feel
Mild gastrointestinal symptoms or overstimulation/sleeplessness can occur in some people; discontinue and consult a practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.
What the research says about acetyl-L-carnitine
Educational summaries of published research on acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR); not product-specific claims. AOR ALCAR's own claims are the statements authorized under its Natural Health Product licence, NPN 80039706.
Meta-analysis: benefit in mild cognitive impairment
A meta-analysis of 21 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials found a significant advantage for acetyl-L-carnitine over placebo on both clinical scales and psychometric tests in mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease, apparent from the first assessment at 3 months.
Meta-analysisSex-specific carnitine deficiency tracks with early Alzheimer's
In two independent cohorts, women (but not men) with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease showed a deficiency in mitochondrial free-carnitine, with lower levels tracking cognitive severity and higher amyloid/tau markers.
Human cohort studyHow acetyl-L-carnitine may support an aging brain
A critical review of dementia research describes proposed mechanisms for acetyl-L-carnitine, including restoring cell-membrane function, enhancing cholinergic activity, promoting mitochondrial energy metabolism, and exerting neurotrophic effects.
ReviewTwo 52-week trials: nerve regeneration and less pain
Pooled data from two year-long randomized placebo-controlled trials (n=1,257) found acetyl-L-carnitine significantly improved sural nerve fiber regeneration and vibration perception, with meaningful pain reduction at the 1,000 mg/day dose.
Human RCT (pooled analysis)One-year study: better nerve conduction, less pain
In a 333-patient, year-long randomized double-blind trial, acetyl-L-carnitine significantly improved nerve conduction velocity and amplitude versus placebo, and cut visual-analogue pain scores by 39% versus 8% for placebo.
Human RCTAntioxidant and nerve-regenerating actions in geriatric neuropathy
A review of acetyl-L-carnitine in diabetic neuropathy describes cytoprotective, antioxidant and analgesic actions - including lowering synaptic glutamate - and effects that support nerve regeneration and repair after injury.
ReviewReversing mitochondrial decline in aging
In a landmark study, feeding old rats acetylcarnitine (with lipoic acid) restored mitochondrial membrane potential and enzyme function, lowered oxidative-damage markers, and improved ambulatory activity and cognition.
Mechanism (animal study)Raising hepatic acetylcarnitine in real time
Using a new MRI/MRS technique, a single L-carnitine infusion measurably raised hepatic acetylcarnitine levels in healthy volunteers, directly visualizing the carnitine-to-acetylcarnitine buffering step of mitochondrial energy metabolism in living tissue.
Human mechanistic studyA hub for oxidative-stress and energy pathways
A review of diabetic neuropathy mechanisms lists acetyl-L-carnitine among the mitochondrial-supportive antioxidants with reproducible benefits on neuropathic symptoms and oxidative-stress markers, alongside coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid.
ReviewAcetyl-L-carnitine deficiency found in depression
Patients with major depressive disorder had significantly lower blood acetyl-L-carnitine than matched healthy controls at two independent centers; the degree of deficiency tracked with severity, earlier onset, and childhood trauma history.
Human studyConsidered among nutrient options for mood support
A review of nutritional interventions for mood disorders lists L-acetylcarnitine alongside methylfolate, SAMe and omega-3s as amino-acid and nutrient options reported to exert antidepressant effects as adjuncts to standard care.
ReviewBrain energy markers shifted with treatment
In a small pilot study using phosphorus-MRS brain imaging, acetyl-L-carnitine treatment in geriatric depression normalized elevated prefrontal phosphomonoester levels and raised phosphocreatine, changes that correlated with improved depression ratings.
Pilot clinical trialA dedicated transporter carries it across the barrier
Acetyl-L-carnitine uptake into brain capillary endothelial cells occurs via the organic cation/carnitine transporter OCTN2, demonstrated in cell culture and confirmed by reduced brain uptake in rats after competitive blockade.
MechanismProtecting the barrier's own cells from oxidative stress
In human brain endothelial cells under alcohol-induced oxidative stress, acetyl-L-carnitine stabilized superoxide dismutase activity and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential, supporting blood-brain-barrier integrity.
MechanismShielding barrier structure from toxic insult
Acetyl-L-carnitine pretreatment prevented methamphetamine-induced breakdown of tight-junction and cytoskeletal proteins in brain endothelial cells, preserving the structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier.
MechanismWell tolerated across 1,097 patients
In a large open multicentre study of L-acetylcarnitine (intramuscular then oral) for peripheral neuropathy, only 18 of 1,097 patients reported poor tolerability - mainly mild gastrointestinal complaints - and just 6 withdrew; vital signs and blood tests were unchanged.
Human study (open-label)Comparable side-effect rate to placebo at 3 g/day
In a 48-week randomized trial adding acetyl-L-carnitine 3 g/day to standard therapy, adverse events were similar in the acetyl-L-carnitine and placebo groups, supporting tolerability even at doses well above typical label doses.
Human RCTNo major adverse events at 3,000 mg/day
A double-blind randomized trial of acetyl-L-carnitine 3,000 mg/day for two months post-surgery reported the treatment as safe, with no major adverse events, even though it did not outperform placebo on the study's nerve-regeneration endpoint.
Human RCTCarnitine's role in fueling working muscle
A review of ergogenic supplements for endurance cycling places carnitine among the substrates supporting skeletal-muscle ATP resynthesis via fat oxidation during exercise, alongside beta-alanine, creatine and dietary nitrates.
ReviewCarnitine depletion cuts fat-burning and activity
Depleting carnitine in mice lowered whole-body fat oxidation during exercise and reduced both voluntary wheel-running and total energy expenditure, directly linking carnitine status to fuel choice and physical activity.
Animal study (preprint)Metabolic shift toward fat oxidation after sustained exertion
Metabolomic profiling after 28 days of arduous military exercise found altered carnitine, beta-alanine and glucose metabolites in muscle, consistent with a shift toward greater fat oxidation and buffering capacity under sustained physical demand.
Human studyCarnitine's expanding known roles
A comprehensive review describes the carnitine pool's roles well beyond fat metabolism - including energy metabolism, mitochondrial homeostasis, epigenetic regulation and neuroprotection - positioning carnitine and acylcarnitines as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
ReviewThe molecular gatekeeper of the carnitine shuttle
A structural review of the mitochondrial carnitine/acylcarnitine carrier explains how this transporter protein exchanges carnitine for acylcarnitines across the mitochondrial membrane - the gating step the whole carnitine shuttle depends on.
ReviewOne of several mitochondrial transport pathways
A review of mitochondrial transporter proteins places the carnitine shuttle alongside the malate/aspartate shuttle and ATP-export pathway as core routes connecting mitochondrial energy production to the rest of the cell.
ReviewFrequently asked questions
What is ALCAR and what does it do?
ALCAR (acetyl-L-carnitine) is a Health Canada-licensed Natural Health Product (NPN 80039706) that helps reduce fatigue, helps support cognitive function in the elderly, helps maintain cognitive function during aging, and helps relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.
How is ALCAR different from regular L-carnitine?
ALCAR is the acetylated form of L-carnitine. The acetyl group is understood to help it cross the blood-brain barrier and cell membranes more readily than plain L-carnitine, which is why it is the form more often studied for brain and nerve support.
How do I take it?
Take two to four capsules daily with food, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner.
How long before I notice an effect?
A minimum of three months may be required before observing an effect. ALCAR is not a fast-acting stimulant - give it a full trial period before judging results.
Are there any cautions I should know about?
Yes. This product provides 1.59 g of a single amino acid per day. Consult a health care practitioner before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver or kidney disease, have been instructed to follow a low protein diet, if symptoms persist or worsen, or for use beyond six months. Feelings of overstimulation or sleeplessness may occur - discontinue use if symptoms persist or worsen.
Is there any risk of seizures?
A low incidence of seizures has been reported with oral doses in individuals with or without a pre-existing seizure disorder. Discuss your personal risk with a health care practitioner before use, especially if you have a history of seizures.
What side effects might I notice?
Mild gastrointestinal symptoms (transient nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps or diarrhea) have been reported, along with body odour, flatulence, increased appetite or rash in some people.
Is it vegan and allergen-friendly?
Yes - the capsule is vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free and dairy-free, with sodium stearyl fumarate as the only other non-medicinal ingredient.
Support cognitive function and energy the easy way
Get AOR ALCAR on Amazon.ca - fast, protected delivery.
Get it on Amazon.caNatural Health Product NPN 80039706. ALCAR (acetyl-L-carnitine) helps reduce fatigue, helps support cognitive function in the elderly, helps maintain cognitive function during aging, and helps relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. The research summaries below concern the compound acetyl-L-carnitine generally and are educational - they are not claims about this finished product beyond its licensed use. Read and follow the label. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver or kidney disease, have been instructed to follow a low protein diet, if symptoms persist or worsen, or for use beyond six months. AOR is the manufacturer; sold by Canadian Health & Care on Amazon.ca. Results may vary.
Important information
Safety Information
Cautions and Warnings: This product provides 1.59 g of single amino acid per day. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver or kidney disease, have been instructed to follow a low protein diet, if symptoms persist or worsen or for use beyond six months. Feelings of overstimulation and/or sleeplessness may occur, in which case discontinue use if symptoms persist or worsen. Low incidence of seizures has been reported with oral doses in individuals with or without a pre-existing seizure disorder. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms (transient nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea) have been reported. Body odour, flatulence, increased appetite or rash may occur.
Indications
Recommended Use or Purpose: Helps to reduce fatigue. Helps to support cognitive function in the elderly. Helps maintain cognitive function during aging. Helps to relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Ingredients
Medicinal Ingredients: Serving Size: 1 Capsule. N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine (HCl) 500 mg. Non-medical Ingredients: sodium stearyl fumarate. Capsule: hypromellose. Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free. NMIs are subject to change - always read and follow the label.
Directions
Recommended Dose (Adults): Take two to four capsules daily with food, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner. Recommended Duration of Use: A minimum of three months may be required before observing an effect.
Legal Disclaimer
Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than shown on our website. Always read labels, warnings and directions before using or consuming a product. This item is sold and shipped by Amazon.ca; purchases are completed on Amazon.