According to a study published a few months ago by Stanford University, patients with severe treatment-resistant depression have acetylcarnitine deficiency, a substance that regulates stress, as does the gene that controls glutamate, even promoting the production of the BDNF protein.
We have all heard or seen in pharmacies a dietary supplement called acetylcarnitine, it is sold as a nootropic drug to improve our cognitive functions and it is common to find it in three forms: L-carnitine as a sports supplement, propionyl L-carnitine for heart disease and acetyl L-carnitine for the central nervous system.
- Now.
- Although we can consume it exogenously (and even under medical supervision).
- We can say that our body produces it naturally.
- In this way healthy people synthesize it in more than enough amounts through foods such as dairy.
- Fish.
- Red meats.
- Avocado.
- Peanuts.
- Etc.
On the other hand, acetylcarnitine has a very common pharmaceutical use in certain types of patients, being common administration in diseases related to cognitive decline, hyperactivity and high stress situations.
Therefore, we could say that we have taken a step forward in the usefulness of this fascinating molecule, since, according to new discoveries, it might be useful to develop more effective antidepressants, with few side effects.
Some studies have shown that the administration of experimental drugs with acetylcarnitine offers positive results in patients suffering from severe depression within a few days; on the contrary, current antidepressants take two to four weeks to show results, both in animal and human experiments.
Many people experience frustration when diagnosed with a type of psychological disorder, such as depression, and feel it for a very common reason: Depression doesn’t appear on lab tests, blood tests, or CT results.
Psychological diagnoses, as we know, are based on a series of interviews, tests, tests and observations made by qualified professionals.
Many people are reminded that what is not seen in the blood simply does not exist, however, it can be said that there are certain types of depressions that have a biological correlation.
In addition, are there many clinical trials capable of providing reliable and valid evidence of the presence of this psychological disorder, altering our life, our perception, our emotions?
Now, Stanford University School of Medicine brings us a new job that highlights a new biomarker: acetylcarnitine. Let’s look at more information on this topic.
Dr. Natalie Rasgon, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford, defines this discovery as exciting for several reasons.
First, because it will allow us to respond to people who do not improve with conventional treatment for major depression; second, because we could develop drugs with few side effects.
Another aspect should also be noted. If we currently suffer from depression, taking acetylcarnitine supplements at the pharmacy will not cause symptoms to go away. It is still necessary to develop an ideal drug with this component, whose mechanism of action is precise and appropriate.
However, we will better understand how this molecule works
As we have said above, direct supplementation with acetylcarnitine does not treat clinical depression (much less deep depression). As we have said, more research and development of new drugs that have this and other specific components is needed.
In healthy people without obvious cognitive problems, the use of these supplements is not recommended, this is for a very simple reason: we must take care of our eating habits and our lifestyle.
We can leave our brain healthy and without deficiency of any molecule, vitamin or neurotransmitter, in what way?Here are some tips for eating:
In conclusion, research to understand the mechanisms of depression continues to advance and we will gradually get to the point where we will have more effective strategies to alleviate the suffering of millions of people who develop depression at some point in their lives.