L-Carnitine Variants: Fumarate, HCl & Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Important sourcing note: These three forms (L-Carnitine Fumarate, L-Carnitine HCl, and Acetyl-L-Carnitine) appear in YNP's website navigation and product information but were not found as standalone numbered catalogue product cards during the Phase 2 catalogue crawl. Their availability, specification, and pack sizes should be confirmed directly with the YNP team before formulating around them. This entry provides technical information to support that discussion.
Quick Summary
- All three are L-Carnitine salt/derivative forms sourced from China (confirm availability directly)
- L-Carnitine Fumarate: salt with fumaric acid; more stable than Base; provides both L-Carnitine and fumarate (a Krebs cycle intermediate)
- L-Carnitine HCl: hydrochloride salt; highly water-soluble; used in liquid formulations
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR): the acetylated form — crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily; used specifically for cognitive and neuroprotective applications
The Three Remaining L-Carnitine Forms
### L-Carnitine Fumarate
A salt of L-Carnitine with fumaric acid. Fumarate is a Krebs cycle intermediate — a theoretical advantage is that fumarate may independently support cellular energy metabolism, though isolating this contribution in research is difficult. L-Carnitine Fumarate is more stable than the Base form and less hygroscopic than pure carnitine, making it suitable for tablet and capsule applications. L-Carnitine content is lower per gram than the Base (approximately 58%, as fumarate adds molecular weight). Positioned similarly to L-Carnitine Tartrate — for solid dosage forms where stability is a priority.
### L-Carnitine HCl
The hydrochloride salt of L-Carnitine. Highly water-soluble, making it preferred for liquid supplement formulations (drinks, syrups, shots). L-Carnitine HCl provides approximately 80% L-Carnitine by molecular weight. Stability in acidic liquid environments is generally good.
### Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
ALCAR is a distinct compound from L-Carnitine — it is the acetylated form of L-Carnitine, where an acetyl group is attached to the carnitine molecule. This modification produces meaningfully different properties: ALCAR crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than L-Carnitine and participates in acetylcholine synthesis (it can donate its acetyl group to choline to form acetylcholine in neural tissue). This is the basis for ALCAR's cognitive health and neuroprotective positioning — an application area that L-Carnitine Base and Tartrate are not typically positioned for. NIH cites early research suggesting ALCAR may help slow disease progression in Alzheimer's patients, though this evidence is described as preliminary and inconsistent across trials.
Comparison of All L-Carnitine Forms in the YNP Catalogue
| Form | L-Carnitine % | Best for | Hygroscopicity | Catalogue status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-Carnitine Base | ~100% | Liquids, high-dose | High | Confirmed SKU (Section 32) |
| L-Carnitine L-Tartrate | ~68% | Tablets, capsules | Low | Confirmed SKU (Section 60) |
| L-Carnitine Fumarate | ~58% | Tablets, capsules | Low-moderate | Confirm availability with team |
| L-Carnitine HCl | ~80% | Liquid supplements | Low | Confirm availability with team |
| Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) | ~68% (as carnitine) | Cognitive health supplements | Low | Confirm availability with team |
*(Table is horizontally scrollable on mobile)*
Frequently Asked Questions
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References
Company Information
- YNP Ingredients, L-Carnitine product information, ynpingredients.com (Fumarate, HCl, and ALCAR appear in navigation; standalone catalogue availability to be confirmed directly)
Industry Information
- NIH ODS. *Carnitine — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.* ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/ — covers all carnitine forms including ALCAR and its preliminary cognitive evidence.
- Montgomery SA, Thal LJ, Amrein R. *Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease.* Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003;18(2):61–71.