Klean Athlete – Antioxidant Supplement
The supplement that I chose to research was created and developed by Klean Athlete and it is their Antioxidant supplement. One serving of this supplement contains a cocktail of active ingredients which include Vitamin C (125 mg), Biotin (300 mcg), Acetyl L-Carnitine HCI (1 000 mg), Alpha Lipoic Acid (400 mg), Maqui Berry (100 mg), and Astaxanthin (2 mg). The company claims that the supplement provides defense against cellular damage which occurs during intense physical activity through the use of multiple antioxidants found in the product. Throughout this review I will demonstrate if there is validity to their claims and if I would recommend this supplement to a client. For this paper, I will investigate the role Acetyl L-Carnitine HCI has in the protection of cellular damage from a metabolic and physiologic perspective.
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL Overview
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL (ALCAR) appears to be a popular ingredient added to supplements which are used to increase general metabolism, improve cognitive function, and reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Research has been emerging also regarding its neuroprotection effect; this is especially true sinc some clinical trials have found the potential in using it in protection from conditions which may lead to central and/or peripheral nervous system injury (Jones, McDonald, & Borum, 2010). The micronutrient ALCAR has many therapeutic uses which have been identified including the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (Ames & Liu, 2014), depression (Tempesta et al, 1987), diabetic nerve pain (Coates et al., 2005), and multiple other neurological disorders. Therefore, if someone had any of these conditions it may be beneficial for them to take this supplement due to its benefit having positive outcomes in treatment. This is all great, however how is ALCAR utilized in the typical physiology and metabolism of the human body?
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL and L-Carnitine Uptake and Metabolic Role in Tissues
ALCAR is an acylated derivative of L-Carnitine which is the typically chemical form found in the dietary consumption. L-Carnitine can be found in red meats and dairy products (Longo, Amat di San Filippo, & Pasquali, 2006). Once absorbed in the small intestine it enters the blood stream where it is carried to cells throughout the body. Both ALCAR and L-Carnitine are transported along with Na+ into the cell by organic cation transporter novel 2 (OCTN2) (Szabo et al., 2016). OCTN2 is also responsible for the uptake of ALCAR and L-Carnitine in the brain and into astrocytes (Nalecz, Miecz, Berezowski, & Cecchelli, 2004).
Once in the tissues ALCAR and L-Carnitine are used as a metabolic metabolite which helps with the transport of long chain fatty acids into the mitochondria to undergo beta-oxidation (Ferreira & McKenna, 2017). The way that it gets the fatty acids into the mitochondria is through a series of reactions called the carnitine shuttle. This shuttle works by the following steps; first acyl-CoA synthase converts the long chain fatty acid into multiple fatty acid-CoA. Then these fatty acid CoAs are converted into acylcarnitines by carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I). CPT I is located on the outer mitochondrial membrane so therefore, after acylcarnitine is created it is transported into the inner membrane via the carnitine/acylcarnitine translocase in exchange for L-Carnitine. Once in the inner membrane, carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II) converts it back to acyl-CoA and L-Carnatine which goes back to the outer mitochondrial membrane to act as substrate for CPT I to create more acylcarnitines (Szabo et al., 2016). Once in the mitochondria beta-oxidation occurs and the creation of ATP to power physiological function.
It has been shown that the carnitine shuttle is important in the prevention of long chain fatty acid buildup and therefore, protective against harmful effects. Rau et al. (2012) determined that this buildup may cause mitochondrial damage and therefore may affect energy stores and also increase ROS damage. Returning to the effect that ALCAR has on the brain; it has been shown that it can be oxidized and used by the brain to create neurotransmitters and lipids (Scafidi et al., 2010).
These are some of the main roles that ALCAR plays within the body and its tissues. As shown, it plays a key role in a number of metabolic and physiologic functions. Throughout this role it has also been shown to have a role in neuroprotection.
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL and Neuroprotection
Researchers have been intrigued by ALCAR since they first learned about its potential as a neuroprotectant (Jones, McDonald, & Borum, 2010). ALCAR has anti-inflammatory effects which provide protection against oxidative stress (Zanelli et al., 2005). In using this property, we are able to prevent damage to tissues, especially areas such as the brain and mitochondria which ALCAR are typically located in. In multiple research studies (Tang et al., 2016; Xu et al., 2015) they were able to identify that the administration of ALCAR, post brain injury produced a reduction in swelling and prevention in loss of tissue during recovery.
These effects show the potential of ALCAR for a neuroprotectant and its potential in protection from central and/or peripheral nervous tissue damage.
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL dosage and toxicity
ALCAR does not have a standard dose which has been established by the FDA, however Biosynergy (2003) recommend a daily dose which does not exceed 1 500 mg. This would put the quantity of ALCAR in this supplement well below that threshold which would mean that the risk for toxicity is relatively low. ALCAR has been identified as a safe supplement for adults to use throughout the literature. However, that does not mean that it comes without possible side effects. One side effect of supplementation with this micronutrient is it has the possibility to interfere in thyroid metabolism (Hendler & Rorvik, 2001). Another serious side effect of supplementation may be an increase seizure frequency and severity in individuals who have seizure disorders (Zdanowicz, 2001). The last side effect that has been viewed is gastrointestinal discomfort (Zdanowicz, 2001), however that was with a dosage of 2 000 mg/day which is above the Biosynergy daily recommendation.
Conclusion
In conclusion Acetyl L-Carnitine has shown to be an effective supplement which has relatively minimal side effects when taken in moderate amounts. If I had a patient who was a senior citizen, I may recommend this product to help combat aging processes (Ames & Liu, 2004). I may also recommend this product to an athlete due to the need to keep his/her mitochondria healthy and functional. This product would help maintain their function to make sure he/she was able to make enough ATP to fuel their workout (Scafidi et al., 2010). Overall this product appears to function as the company advertises and this may become more apparent if other active ingredients were also researched for their metabolic and physiologic function.
References
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