Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) 500 Grams - 1000mg Per Serving - Pure Acetyl L-Carnitine Powder

Love It, but gets Weak if not stored properly – And see mild warning below

Update: Lowered my rating to 4 stars, because the second jug is disappointingly weaker than the first. I could tell immediately, because the taste was a lot milder. Can actually take 2.5 scoops now instead of just one, and still not get quite as much mental kick as did from first jug. I don't know if quality control in their plant is off, or if they bowed to buyers whining about taste, but it's not the same. â€"â€"- Bought my first 500G jug last year, and loved the mental energy and clarity boost from the very first morning - No more Fog! I shake it up with 8-12 oz.s water first thing outta bed, reshake the bottle with a few more oz.s to get any remaining residue, and then don't eat for an hour. Amino acid products don't work well sometimes with food or other supplements in the digestive tract, which is why I down it on an empty stomach. If I'm having the occasional sluggish start, I'll drink something caffeinated after that first hour - works Great together! Ideally, this product should last one person for about 500 days, which means opening the container to air and light 500 times. Air and light both weaken supplements, regardless of what form they are in, but most especially fine powders like this ALCAR. After a couple of months, my daily dose was not working quite as well. So, I broke up the remainder of my powder into eight sandwich-size ziplock bags, rolling up each bag from the bottom to push the air out before sealing. I only keep one of these bags at a time in the original jug, and the rest are in a black container waiting their turn. The ALCAR jug is kept in a dark cabinet, except for the couple of minutes it takes to make a drink. That all may seem like silly overkill, but who wants to waste their hopes and time on supplements too weakened to do what we payed for? Although the rest of the powder has kept working, I'm looking forward to the full punch from a fresh jug just ordered. I'll use the bags method described above on this one from the beginning. P.S. Yes, the taste is "Really Special," but you get mostly used to it, and it's totally worth the better wake-ups. Rinsing your mouth out right after taking is a good idea, as the acidity is perhaps harmful to teeth over time. WARNING: It's tempting to use more than one scoop, but too much at once can cause DIARRHE

32 persons found it helpful

Better price. Excellent quality.

This is an important addition to a healthy diet. Buying in more bulk sizes helps to save money. This manufacturer seems to try to stay in the lead in terms of lower prices and quality. Store in cool, dry, dark place or the refrigerator. Place a portion of the product in a smaller container(such as a clean and thoroughly dry empty vitamin bottle and store the remainder so you don't have to open as frequently. Store the scoop outside the container. Use clean and dry hands

15 persons found it helpful

Good product, no additives, but I'd suggest a smaller size

This is a fine product - I went for the bulk powder to avoid additives and reduce costs. I would however suggest a smaller size even if it reduces your savings, due to the high probability that the product's life will be shorter than the expiration date would suggest. The scoop is tiny, and sinks into the powder like quicksand, so it must be fished out with your fingers every time you use it; after a few months it had formed large clumps of very acidic smelling product. I stopped using it and ordered the capsules. I have no issue with the quality of the product itself, however I will not order this much of the powder again

14 persons found it helpful

Improves athletic performance

I started taking L-carnitine to improve my athletic performance. I was doing high intensity interval training 5 times a week and wanted a natural supplement that would help me in increasing energy. I'm not a fan of prework out mixes because these are usually filled with too many chemicals, hence L-carnitine proved a great substitute. I would take it about 20 minutes before exercising to give my body time to absorb it and I could see the benefits not only in my performance but also in how I didn't feel burned out after my workout. The taste is very sour but I didn't mind it. You can mix it with something else and it would mitigate its flavor. My only criticism is that the scoop is so small that it was hard to find it. I will continue using this amino acid for my athletic performance

14 persons found it helpful

worth consideration

Studies seem to indicate numerous benefits with conflicting research about bacteria in gut breaking it down into TMAO...perhaps think twice if you have a meat rich diet. Very sour, i put it on the back of my tongue and try to rinse it down quick pretending it is lemon powder...I may try harder to find pills because of that but it is hard to ignore the Nutricost value and quality. I love that it comes with dessicant...another indication the company cares

13 persons found it helpful

No Scoop!

Good luck figuring out the proper dosage without it. Funny that them saving the money on a $0.10 scoop will keep me from ever ordering from them again. Nice business model

6 persons found it helpful

Doubts about purity

This doesn't absorb water like other brands and also I got very shakey from it even 1/4 tsp. So I am not sure it is only Alcar or if my reaction to it has evolved. It also lacks the chemical smell of alcar

6 persons found it helpful

Works well for peripheral neuropathy when taken with Alpha Lipoic Acid

Works well for peripheral neuropathy, It's sour though so I mix it with water and a little Stevia

6 persons found it helpful

ALCAR is one of my key supplements… Delivery, quality & price were 5 stars.

This is mixed to allow for bulk packaging & use via measuring spoons. It will & does clump but easily breaks back up into fine powder with the spoon. I am happy with it & would order again if price is right..

5 persons found it helpful

Doesn't taste that bad

I haven't been using this long enough to have an opinion on if it works for anything. Many reviewers have commented that it's difficult to take if not in a capsule. I just wanted to pop in and say that I mix a scoop into a small amount of water and drink it. Then I drink more plain water. It's not a big deal. I've definitely tasted worse supplements. I'll be back at a later date to report on how it works out for me in a therapeutic regard. Have been reading that this supplement might not be the best for those with decreased thyroid function…. Mine is ever so slightly decreased but the never pain I have is extreme so given the risk/benefit I'm going forth with open eyes on this

4 persons found it helpful