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Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg

Source Naturals
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(646 ratings)
Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg
Product Image
Score85
A focused ALCAR HCl tablet with useful dosing and good practicality. It supports brain and cellular energy without broader formula depth.
How scoring works
Quantity:60 Tablet(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Energy
Brain Health
Cognitive Support
Productivity Boost
Mental Focus
Anti-Aging
Metabolism Boost
Weight Loss

Score 85

A focused ALCAR HCl tablet with useful dosing and good practicality. It supports brain and cellular energy without broader formula depth.
How scoring works

Also available as

1 option
120 servings Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg • 120 Tablet(s) • 120 servings $21.96 ($0.18 per serving)
$15.10($0.25 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 15.35
Amazon
$ 15.10
iHerb
$ 15.10
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Analysis

Acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride is clearly identified and reaches a useful starting amount. The single-active formula avoids blend padding.

The acetylated form is relevant to brain energy and mental fatigue. Effects on body weight or resting metabolism are less dependable.

One tablet and a moderate serving count suit a trial or regular use. Users preferring capsules may find an equivalent format easier to swallow.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking basic ALCAR support
  • Users comfortable with tablets
Best for
  • Mental-energy routines
  • Simple one-active supplementation

Pros

  • Clearly identified form
  • Useful amount
  • One-tablet serving

Cons

  • No branded source
  • No purity testing supplied
  • Narrow support pathway

Warnings

  • May cause nausea or restlessness
  • Take earlier if it affects sleep
  • Review use with seizure or thyroid medicines

Nutrient quality

94 Highest impact

A specific acetyl-L-carnitine salt and meaningful amount support the intended energy and cognitive uses. The focused formula avoids obvious filler or excessive dosing.

.

Ingredient transparency

83 Highest impact

The active form and amount are disclosed clearly without a hidden blend. Daily-use directions and non-active ingredients are not supplied.

.

Customer satisfaction

67 High impact

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

.

Value for money

95 Highest impact

A meaningful focused amount and strong supply deliver strong practical value. No unnecessary active extras inflate the formula.

.
Report analysis

Goals

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

Acetyl L-carnitine supports mitochondrial fatty-acid transport and may contribute to both physical and mental energy. The disclosed amount reaches the stated effective range.

The hydrochloride form and exact amount are clearly identified without a proprietary blend. The focused design provides depth for one pathway but does not cover alertness or stress resilience.

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

Acetyl-L-carnitine at 500 mg directly supports mitochondrial energy metabolism and can reach the nervous system. Human evidence is most relevant to cognitive aging or fatigue rather than universal memory enhancement.

The HCl form and standalone amount are clearly disclosed. The streamlined formula gives one brain-energy pathway useful depth but does not address membranes, neurotransmitters, or stress adaptation broadly.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 19 studies
Cognitive Support
Cognitive Support
Impact
Highest effect
B+ Goal FitA Strength of SupportC+ CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Acetyl L-Carnitine · 500 mg

Acetyl-L-carnitine at 500 mg directly supports mitochondrial energy metabolism and can reach the nervous system. Human evidence is most relevant to cognitive aging or fatigue rather than universal memory enhancement.

The HCl form and standalone amount are clearly disclosed. The streamlined formula gives one brain-energy pathway useful depth but does not address membranes, neurotransmitters, or stress adaptation broadly.

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

Acetyl L-carnitine supports mitochondrial energy and acetylcholine-related signaling, making it relevant to mental stamina. The hydrochloride form is clearly identified at a useful starting amount.

The formula provides depth in one brain-energy pathway but little breadth across acute focus or stress response. Its single-ingredient design is transparent and free from competing actives.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 1 study
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 1 study
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 mitochondrial brain energy and acetylcholine-related metabolism. Human evidence is useful in fatigue and selected cognitive settings but less certain for immediate focus in healthy adults.

The 500 mg amount reaches a meaningful range, and the hydrochloride form is clearly identified. The focused single-active formula offers strong depth but no alertness or stress-resilience coverage.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 7 studies
Anti-Aging
Anti-Aging
Impact
High effect
B- Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportC CoverageA+ Formula Quality

Acetyl L-carnitine supports mitochondrial fatty-acid handling and can reach the brain, giving it relevant cellular-energy and cognitive-aging roles. The hydrochloride form and 500 mg amount are clearly disclosed in a streamlined formula.

The dose fits a basic effective range but sits below amounts often used in more intensive cognitive research. Evidence supports selected metabolic and neurological outcomes, while direct healthspan benefits remain uncertain.

Study evidence
Acetyl L-Carnitine Supportive 1 study

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl
500 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Dairy Free Sugar Free Vegetarian
Report overview
Acetyl L-Carnitine · 500 mg OverallScore95
A- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

The formula uses only acetyl L-carnitine in a clearly identified hydrochloride form, making it well aligned with the collection's cognitive and metabolic focus. Its 500 mg amount reaches the stated effective range and is fully disclosed without a proprietary blend. Low cost per effective amount adds strong value, although no branded raw material, cGMP claim, or purity testing is provided in the available facts.

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 already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; 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 already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; 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 already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; 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 already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; 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 already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; 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 already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; 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 already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; 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 already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; the alternative offers a useful trade-off between ingredient focus, disclosed amounts, and serving cost.</p>
84 Value

Acetyl L-Carnitine Caps 500 mg

Country Life
<p>It balances practical value with a purposeful formula because 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine is paired with a moderate 8.5 mg vitamin B6 amount. The original already has a clear 500 mg single-ingredient dose; 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 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 participantsCognitive Support Brain Health forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Acetyl L-carnitine slows decline in younger patients with Alzheimer's disease: a reanalysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using the trilinear approach.
    Brooks JO; Yesavage JA; Carta A; Bravi D · International psychogeriatrics · 1998
    Randomized trial334 participantsCognitive Support forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  5. A 1-year controlled trial of acetyl-l-carnitine in early-onset AD.
    Thal LJ; Calvani M; Amato A; Carta A · Neurology · 2000
    Randomized trial229 participantsCognitive Support forAcetyl L-Carnitine
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. [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
  25. 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
  26. 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