Better Brain Function & More

How ALCAR & ALA might improve yours as well as your game scores!

Author

Vanessa Marsden
February 12, 2025

Live Life Well

The Backdrop to My Brain Function Discussion

“Why is her brain functioning better than mine?” We all puzzled.

So, my three sisters and I love games and for the past few years we do monthly online competitions that last from 7 to 14 days, depending on who is Game Master that month (we rotate), and how they design the competition. We play games like Wordle, Quordle, Octordle, Blossom, Tightrope, Strands, Connections, plus variations of those, and a few other games.

All four of us look forward to this every month, and it has been a really great way to stay connected. We highly recommend this.

We have a special thread on Messages solely for this called Gamer Girls. This is last month’s example: January contest, 1/16-23 Wordle Strands Quordle Straight up, no bonuses, lowest score wins, 0 points for 1st place and so on. Ties get same amount of points as each other, next in line gets one more.

Anyway, lately Paula has been more solidly beating the rest of us. She says she thinks it is because she has recently been taking a new supplement blend: ALCAR/ALA.

That got my attention.

What is ALCAR? What is ALA?

Let’s start with ALCAR. Two years ago I wrote an article about ALCAR. Let’s revisit some of the info.

ALCAR is an acronym for Acetyl-L-Carnitine, a very bio-available form of the amino acid L. carnitine. According to Alhasaniah (2022), ALCAR is a naturally occurring substance that is non-toxic orally in amounts up to a few grams daily, and is easily eliminated by the body.

Benefits of Aceytyl-L-Carnitine:

  • Able to pass the blood brain barrier, and increasing brain circulation, it improves brain function, such as memory, mood, focus, learning, and creativity

  • Increases circulation in muscles

  • Improves insulin sensitivity and blood glucose regulation

  • Helps metabolize fat as well as burn stored fat, thereby aiding in fat loss

  • Decreases inflammation

  • Anti-aging - builds muscle

  • Prevents muscle wasting

  • Boosts testosterone by helping your body better utilize the testosterone you have (Note: Women need and produce testosterone too, just not as much as men.)

  • Can boost other sex hormones and fertility

  • Increases glutathione levels, the body's master antioxidant

  • Reduces mitochondrial dysfunction

  • Promotes neuron repair

  • Can help dementia and Alzheimer's by restoring cognitive function or slowing the decline

In addition to all of the above, ALCAR also appears to be cardioprotective, increases neuroplasticity, and shows potential for treating Parkinson's Disease, hepatic encephalopathy, depression, epilepsy, and even autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

As for doses, studies have shown that up to 2 grams daily is well-tolerated (Alhasaniah, 2022). Some advise to split the dose, morning (first thing) and then in the afternoon. It could hinder sleep if taken too late in the day.

Secondly, ALCAR is a nootropic,which is a substance that enhances cognitive performance. It is a Greek word, meaning mind (noos) & turning (trope). Incidentally, according to Wikipedia, caffeine is "the world's most consumed nootropic".

And yes, I am drinking coffee as I write this.

Thirdly, GRAS. It stands for Generally Regarded As Safe. Which is a designation you may or may not choose to trust. But from all I have been able to gather from research, it seems that ALCAR falls into the GRAS category. 

Now for ALA

ALA stands for alpha lipoic acid. By the way, it is also a nootropic and is GRAS.

According to Dr. David Jockers, ALA has been shown to do the following:

  • Supports brain health in a variety of ways

  • Improves detoxification

  • Supports healthy blood sugar

  • Improves liver health

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Supports immune health, has anticancer properties

  • Helps treat & prevent cognitive decline

    ALA may be contraindicated for individuals with diabetes taking medication, for those with low blood sugar, or with low thiamine (vitamin B1) levels. Excessive alcohol use can contribute to low thiamine levels.

As with everything I write, this is not medical advice. Please consult with your health provider and do your own research to see if ALCAR or ALA will benefit you.

Let’s Guinea Pig Me: I am going to start off taking ALCAR 500 mg. and ALA 200 mg. daily. And let’s just see how my game scores improve!

REVIEWS (A New Feature)

Wilde Protein Chips - These are a real treat if you are craving a salty, crunchy snack that is not the typical high carb fare. Packing a whopping 13 grams of protein, these surprisingly good chips are also gluten-free and dairy-free (most flavors). They come in 4 different flavors: Salted (the only one I have tried so far), BBQ, Nashville Hot, and Spicy Queso (contain milk).

Other positives: Can be Keto-friendly, tasty, good travel food, healthier than a bag of potato chips.

Negatives: Okay, yeah, they are a processed food. And made with sunflower oil (a seed oil). Both I try to avoid much of the time. And they are a bit pricey, about $3 for a one serving bag. But they are a better alternative to many other snacks. So for an occasional treat, I give a hearty thumbs up.

Hoping you LIVE LIFE WELL,

Vanessa 

www.vanessamarsden.com
Instagram @wellnessadventure_RN

Note: The ALCAR info is recycled material previously posted article on my on February 24, 2023.

Note: I am an Amazon Affiliate and may make a little bit of money from an Amazon link, yet it will not affect how much you are charged.

References:
Alhasaniah, A. H. (2022). L. carnitine: nutrition, pathology, and health benefits. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2023 Feb; 30(2). Published online 2022 Dec 30 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36632072/