Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) is a naturally occurring form of L-Carnitine, a vitamin-like nutrient synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine. ALC serves as a transport molecule for "active acetate," which is a source of fuel for metabolic processes that take place in cells. ALC carries active acetate (the "Acetyl" portion) directly into the mitochondrion, the cell's energy-generating structure. Active acetate is used to produce cellular energy in the form of ATP. Both L-Carnitine and ALC serve as fat carriers. Unlike L-Carnitine, ALC readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it has specific benefits for brain neurons. When taken orally, ALC has been shown to increase ALC levels in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid, demonstrating its uptake in the brain.