Is Your Depression Due to Low Levels of This Substance in Your Blood?

Health Wellness

There are many forms of depression and many things linked to causing depression, which often makes it very difficult for doctors to treat.

Some depression is due to recently having a baby – post partum depression.

Some depression is due to mental health issues.

Some depression is due to specific medications.

Some depression is due to stress and/or trauma.

Depression is the nation’s leading cause of absenteeism from work and one of the leading causes of suicide, which makes it very important for medical researchers to discover the various causes for depression.

A new study has found that some people suffering from depression have low levels of a substance called acetyl-L-carnitine, in their blood.

What is acetyl-L-carnitine?

Carnitine is a substance produced by the liver and kidneys. It helps transport fatty acids into the mitochondria of cells where it is broken down to produce energy. Acetyl-L-carnitine is a form of carnitine that is broken down by blood plasma into the carnitine used by the cells for energy.

The report stated:

“Naturally produced in the body, acetyl-L-carnitine is also widely available in drugstores, supermarkets, and health food catalogs as a nutritional supplement. People with severe or treatment-resistant depression, or whose bouts of depression began earlier in life, have particularly low blood levels of the substance.”

“The findings, which appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, build on extensive animal research. They mark the first rigorous indication that the link between acetyl-L-carnitine levels and depression may apply to people, too.”

“They also point the way to a new class of antidepressants that could be freer of side effects and faster-acting than those in use today, and that may help patients for whom existing treatments don’t work or have stopped working.”

Acetyl-L-carnitine, taken as a supplement has also been associated with the following conditions:

Alzheimer’s – found to possibly help slow the mental decline.

High blood sugar – tests showed that after taking it for 2 months, people with prediabetes had lower blood sugar levels. It has also been found to help the body use insulin more efficiently.

Alcoholism – found to help with mental abilities.

Dysthymia – a milder form of depression – found to help.

Fragile X syndrome – found to help some boys with this genetic disorder with their social skills and hyperactivity.

Male infertility – suggested it helps with sperm movement, which only makes sense since they are powered by their mitochondria.

Nerve problems – linked in some studies to lessen pain levels for some conditions.

Peyronie’s disease – an unnatural curving of the penis – 3 months of taking ALC reduced curve and pain associated with it.

ALC can be found in some foods such as beef, chicken, whole milk and some cheeses.

While many people take acetyl-L-carnitine as a supplement, some sources warn of possible side effects including diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, headaches, trouble sleeping, higher blood pressure, lower blood sugar, higher triglycerides in people with diabetes and psychosis in people with bipolar disorder.

Because so little is really known about ALC and its side-effects, it’s necessary to report that it may not be safe for anyone suffering from the following: peripheral vascular disease, high blood pressure, liver cirrhosis, alcoholism, diabetes, kidney failure, digestive problems, risk factors for mental illness, hepatitis C, sleeping problems and breathing problems.

If you are wondering if ALC may help you, talk to your doctor BEFORE taking the supplement. While it has helped some with certain conditions, it has also been problematic for others. It could help and it could hurt. Be cautious, so some research and talk to your doctor.

acetyl-L-carnitine Depression

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