A remarkable new study suggests that individuals with severe, treatment-resistant depression have significantly reduced levels of the molecule, acetyl-L-carnitine.
Prompting the question — will raising those levels help? We don’t yet know whether it’s correlation or causation.
Animal studies have already shown the link.
For example, depressed rodents are much more likely to have low levels of acetyl-L-carnitine, and raising their levels via supplementation restored normal behavior in days.
How?
Animal studies by Carla Nasca, a postdoctoral scholar in McEwen’s lab, suggest that acetyl-L-carnitine, a crucial mediator of fat metabolism and energy production throughout the body, plays a special role in the brain, where it works at least in part by preventing the excessive firing of excitatory nerve cells in brain regions called the hippocampus and frontal cortex.
But what about humans?
Well, the new study looked at both moderate and severely depressed patients and found that their levels of acetyl-L-carnitine were substantially lower than the populace, at large.
And the more depressed the individual, the lower their level of acetyl-L-carnitine and the less likely antidepressants helped.
Acetyl-L-carnitine levels were especially low in patients whose depression began in childhood, or who had a history of child abuse, poverty, or neglect.
The next question is obvious — will raising acetyl-L-carnitine levels help treat depression?
Well, we know that it seems to in animal studies, but there are very few studies on humans. However, a 2014 study showed that, within the study population, acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation worked as well as some major antidepressants, with fewer side effects.
The implications are enormous. Imagine a simple supplement helping treat your depression vs. high-powered antidepressants.
You can already buy acetyl-L-carnitine supplements, and there’s evidence that they can be useful for a host of medical conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and, possibly, dementia. As with most supplements, the limited studies are incredibly encouraging, but finding funding is difficult.
And remember, please be careful when considering the supplements. They are not regulated by the FDA, you really have to do your homework on getting the right one, and you can never be exactly sure what’s in it.
Also, please consider this warning from WebMd for those with a history of seizures.
“An increase in the number or seriousness of seizures has been reported in people with a history of seizures who have used L-carnitine by mouth or by IV (intravenously). Since L-carnitine is related to acetyl-L-carnitine, there is a concern that this might also occur with acetyl-L-carnitine. If you have ever had a seizure, don’t take acetyl-L-carnitine.”
(Read WebMD on acetyl-L-carnitine for side effects, uses, doses etc).
Nevertheless, keep in mind that the potential side effects of antidepressants are also significant, and all evidence suggests acetyl-L-carnitine is much better tolerated, with fewer adverse events.
If you’re interested, talk to your doctor.
