L-Carnitine And ADHD: Natural Focus Solutions
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is becoming more common in adults, whereas it used to be only something you heard about diagnosed in children. Currently, only 4% of the adult population is reported to have ADHD. However, there are many individuals undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or struggling with anxiety which can be similar. This article will explain the correlation between l-carnitine and ADHD.
Table of Contents
What is Acetyl L-Carnitine?
It is an amino acid; amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Acetyl L Carnitine is often taken for fat loss. However, it has neuroprotective properties that help fight against hypoxia-ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. (Ferreira, G. C., & McKenna, M. C., 2017)
Acetyl L Carnitine is an acetyl ester of the form of Carnitine called L-Carnitine. The acetyl form plays a role in metabolism and transferring the fatty acids to mitochondria in our cells which are the powerhouse energy sources of our cells.
Brain Benefits
L- Carnitine helps minimize brain inflammation; it has anti-depressive, neurotrophic (growth of nervous tissue), and anti-apoptotic (slows cancer growth). It has antioxidant properties that help minimize damage to our brains by oxidative stress.
Even exercise can create oxidative stress, along with detoxing and cell death. Consuming foods that have antioxidants helps improve heart health, the brain, and everything.
L-Carnitine and ADHD
A pilot study was done on 112 children with ADHD aged 5-12 years randomized to either placebo or acetyl L-carnitine in 500-1500 mg doses. Conner Parent-Teacher Rating Scale demonstrated the superiority of treatment over placebo in unattentive children and an improvement over placebo in all types of children.
In addition, Acetyl L-Carninitine’s antioxidant and neuroprotective benefits help with brain inflammation, leading to ADHD.
Early-life exposure to environmental toxins can increase the risk of ADHD and L-carnitine helps to combat that.
ADHD, Anxiety & Insomnia
Adhd, anxiety, and insomnia are correlated. Why do I say this? Because insomnia leads to anxiety.
Insomnia can contribute to increased sleep debt and decrease one’s ability to focus, think clearly, and achieve goals.
High anxiety or ADHD can cause low dopamine and serotonin levels. These are our feel-good and pleasure neurotransmitters.
ADHD is typically defined as an inability to focus, sit still, and let others finish what they are saying. You can find out the ADHD diagnosis symptoms here.
Therefore setting boundaries with ourselves, our schedule, and our loved ones can help reduce our anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia.
- -How to Learn relaxation techniques you can do anywhere.
- -Identify anxiety in yourself and others.
- -Learn how to better react to situations and set a firm foundation for dealing with stressful situations.
- Use Natural Supplements, Dietary, and Lifestyle changes to help you feel less anxious sooner.
- I am a Counselor in Training, so I share what I learn through my education and experience and the price will go up shortly--- However! You will get all of the free updates I make to the course at no additional charge to you! As I learn through research, my education, and personal experimentation of new supplement regimens I will share them with you!
7 Best Acetyl- L- Carnitines for ADHD
*** One Thing to note is the capsule quantity and the number of capsules required to get the amount it says on the front of the bottle. Some may be more expensive because the mg amount is higher and you have fewer capsules to take or there are more capsules in the bottle OR there is a more advanced form of the product.***
- 500mg per veggie capsule
- Take 1-3 Per day depending on the use
- Capsule, easier to swallow
- Crosses the Blood Brain Barrier
2. Life Extension Acetyl L- Carnitine Arignate
- Two forms of Acetyl L-Carnitine
- Increases Dopamine Production
- Veggie Caps
- Crosses the Blood Brain Barrier
3. Doctor’s Best Acetyl L-Carnitine w/ Biosint Acetyl-L-Carnitine
- Patented Form of Acetyl L Carnitine
- Veggie Caps
- Crosses the Blood Brain Barrier
Further Research on L Carnitine for ADHD
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effect of unsaturated fatty acids on ADHD symptoms in children with specific learning difficulties.
An initial study of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using the acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), a metabolite required for energy metabolism and anabolism of essential fats, showed significant benefits.
In a large European study, eight weeks of supplementation with ALC resulted in a clinical improvement of 54% in the group of boys with ADHD compared to a response rate of 13% in the group with placebo. Effect of iron supplementation on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
Regular doses of multivitamins were not investigated in the treatment of ADHD. The multimodal treatment of children with ADHD (MTA) study is considered to be the largest (579 participants) and most thorough study of combined ADHD treatment since 1966. It was a randomized study comparing the stimulant methylphenidate and intensive behavioral therapy with a combination of stimulants (methylphenidate plus community control). We found that the combination seemed to be more effective in ADHD, which raised the guidelines for treating ADHD into question, and clear recommendations were made to combine the two pharmacological treatments. The most important measure of the results was the parent-teacher ADHD scale IV, which in Iran was used in this study for school-age children as a valid measure of behavioral abnormalities and attention.
In Summary
Using l-carnitine for ADHD may be a tremendous natural start for someone looking to improve their mental health naturally. Many other resources on my site teach you how to begin this journey naturally. Feel free to check out our section on mental health resources and our guide.
References:
Ferreira, G. C., & McKenna, M. C. (2017). L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochemical research, 42(6), 1661–1675. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7
Originally posted 2021-08-20 22:54:58.
Megan Santiago
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