Three enzymes have been identified which regulate many of the important chemical steps by which cells oxidize food to produce energy within the mitochondria. The age-related decrease in the activity of these enzymes is suspected of playing a role in the age-related increase of free radical pathology within cells’ mitochondria.[1]

One of these key enzymes, cytochrome c oxidase, is an enzyme complex responsible for virtually all of the oxygen consumption in mammals—including humans. Its age-related decrease in activity may be a significant factor in the age-related decrease in levels of the body’s master energy chemical ATP. ALCAR has been shown in rat studies to restore the activity of cytochrome c oxidase to levels found in young rats.[2] Cardiolipin, an important phospholipid within mitochondria, was also restored to youthful levels by ALCAR’s administration to aged mice, and was further shown to increase fatty acid transport into mitochondria as well as restore mitochondrial membrane function and increase cellular metabolism.

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By maintaining overall mitochondrial function at youthful levels, in animal models ALCAR has been shown to reverse many aspects of cellular dysfunction which result from the aging process, resulting in enhanced cognitive performance, increased neurotransmitter production, and restoration of certain hormone receptors.[3] Aging rats fed ALCAR in their diets showed remarkable increases in their levels of physical activity.[4] Correspondingly, human subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome have been found to have significantly lower levels of blood serum ALCAR. Improvements in age-associated decline of memory, hearing loss, and depression have also been observed in human subjects with ALCAR supplementation.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a hormone manufactured in the liver and, as the name implies, has a molecular structure similar to insulin. IGF-1 circulates via the bloodstream to virtually every cell in the body, and participates in the cell growth and development of a broad range of tissues and organs including bone, cartilage, kidneys, liver, lungs, muscle, nerves, skin, and is also important in cellular DNA synthesis. One of ALCAR’s unique attributes is its ability to repair damaged peripheral nerve tissue.

IGF-1 is responsible for many of the anti-aging effects attributed to human growth hormone (HGH), sometimes referred to as the Fountain of Youth hormone. HGH is manufactured in the pituitary gland, is up-taken by the liver and converted into IGF-1. It is believed the age-related decline in IGF-1 results in the reduced efficiency of cellular metabolism. IGF-1 is intimately associated with the reduction of many of the physical signs of aging, including obesity; bone and muscle loss; sagging and wrinkled skin; insulin insensitivity; joint pain and loss of flexibility; fatigue; and inflammation.[5] Low IGF-1 levels are believed to be a significant factor in many disease states, including Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, as well as slow recovery from physical wounds.[6] Oral administration of ALCAR in the range of 3,000 milligrams daily significantly increased the levels of the bioactive component of IGF-1 in asymptomatic HIV-1 patients.[7] ALCAR is also well documented to be effective in the treatment of many human conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, immune dysfunction, depression, and “aging spots.”

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