Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is a performance supplement for horses that supports energy production and muscle function, especially during periods of high energy demands. This natural amino acid derivative also has antioxidant properties and supports efficient fat and sugar metabolism.
- Maintains energy levels and performance in exercising horses
- Benefits horses affected by muscle soreness and stiffness
- Supports reproduction and sperm motility in stallions
- Supports optimal metabolism and cellular function
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is a naturally occurring metabolite of the amino acid L-carnitine that plays key roles in energy production, muscle function, and the nervous system. ALCAR is naturally found in the blood and tissues of horses.
As an equine supplement, acetyl-L-carnitine is commonly used to support exercise performance, antioxidant defenses, energy metabolism and muscle health. ALCAR is also used to support reproductive function and sperm motility in stallions.
Feeding ALCAR supports optimal energy generation for horses with high energy demands, such as those involved in competitive racing, jumping, dressage, or any intense training. ALCAR’s benefits for heart and skeletal muscle metabolism mimic the positive effects of exercise training.
Acetyl-L-carnitine has been shown to improve the number and function of mitochondria, which are cell components responsible for producing Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of cells. Many of ALCAR’s benefits are attributed to its ability to activate AMPK, an enzyme that regulates cellular energy balance and metabolic processes.
ALCAR also supports glucose oxidation, the process by which glucose (sugar) is converted into energy. Supplementing with ALCAR diverts glucose from being stored as glycogen in muscles towards being burned for energy in the mitochondria. Enhanced glucose oxidation is beneficial for exercising horses and helps to maintain normal levels of stored glycogen in muscle tissue.
Feeding ALCAR can also benefit performance horses affected by muscle soreness and stiffness. It may support muscle development and response to training in exercising horses.
Furthermore, ALCAR is important for optimal metabolism and cellular function in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. In these tissues, ALCAR maximizes the efficiency of energy production and supports the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath. Myelin protects nerves from damage and supports nerve signal transmission.
ALCAR may also help to maintain appropriate nerve sensitivity in horses with chronic stimulation of sensory nerves.
L-carnitine
Feeding ALCAR to your horse also offers the benefits associated with L-carnitine supplementation, as the body readily converts between the two. Adding this supplement to your horse’s diet ensures that L-carnitine levels in tissues are sufficient to support optimal energy production.
L-carnitine is mainly found in skeletal muscle and heart tissue, where it helps produce energy to fuel muscle contractions and other activities.
L-carnitine’s primary role is to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria so they can be burned for energy. These fatty acids are the major fuel source for horses at rest and during medium-intensity work.
Fatty acids are converted into energy through a process called beta-oxidation, which generates acetyl-CoA molecules. These molecules then enter the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria, ultimately producing energy in the form of ATP.
Because beta-oxidation can sometimes produce acetyl-CoA at a rate faster than the Krebs cycle can handle, intermediate molecules can accumulate, resulting in less efficient energy generation. Supplementing with ALCAR helps regenerate components required for the Krebs cycle, resulting in more efficient energy production.
L-carnitine is synthesized in the body from lysine and methionine, two essential amino acids that must be supplied in the horse’s diet. Lysine and methionine are limiting amino acid, which means they are most likely to be deficient relative to the horse’s requirements.
If horses are fed a diet with inadequate protein or amino acids, they may not make enough L-carnitine to meet their metabolic needs. Horses on mature, low protein forage and those with higher protein needs due to exercise could benefit from ALCAR supplementation to boost energy metabolism.
Feeding Directions
Acetyl-L-carnitine is a white powder with a vinegar-like odor that is generally well accepted by horses. The typical feeding rate for a 500 kg (1100 lb) horse is 10 grams per day and this can be top-dressed on their daily ration.
There are rare reports of mild intestinal bloating in horses supplemented with ALCAR. This side effect is relieved by splitting the recommended feeding rate into twice daily doses.
Consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritional professional to learn if ALCAR may be a valuable addition to your horse’s diet.