> I'm currently interested in ALCAR Arginate, GPLC, and Alpha-GPC. Are these safe to supplement? <
You might find useful checking these links regarding safety studies on Alpha-GPC and L-Carnitine
Safety assessment of AGPC as a food ingredient.
“α-Glycerylphosphorylcholine (AGPC) is a semi-synthetic derivative of lecithin. Following oral administration, it is converted to phosphatidylcholine, a metabolically active form of choline that is able to reach cholinergic synaptic endings where it increases acetylcholine synthesis and release. A series of studies were conducted to demonstrate the safety of AGPC. The oral LD50 was equal to or greater than 10,000 mg/kg in rats and mice. Deaths were preceded by convulsions in some animals. Dosing of dogs with up to 3000 mg/kg AGPC resulted only in reduced activity. Sub-chronic and chronic oral toxicity studies in rats (up to 1000 mg/kg/day) and beagles (up to 300 mg/kg/day) produced symptomology primarily consisting of reduced activity; slight decreases in food consumption and body weight gain; and slight reduction in liver weight, paralleled by significant decreases in plasma triglycerides, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. There were no histopathological correlates. The in vivo and in vitro assays clearly indicated that AGPC was devoid of mutagenic activity. Based on these results, AGPC is not genotoxic in vitro or in vivo, exhibits low acute oral toxicity and, has an oral NOAEL of 150 mg/kg bw/day following 26 weeks oral exposure.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21414376
Safety measures of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation in healthy men.
“The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of ingestion of L-CARNIPURE (L-carnitine L-tartrate [LCLT]) on alterations in a complete blood cell profile and in circulating metabolic enzymes. Using a balanced, placebo (P), cross-over design (1 week washout), 10 healthy, active men volunteered and acted as their own control taking either a P or LCLT supplement (3 g.day(-1)) for 3 weeks. Postabsorptive morning blood samples were obtained both before and after 21 days of P and LCLT supplementation. Serum samples were analyzed for clinical chemistries including a complete chemistry panel with markers of liver and renal function along with various minerals and electrolytes. In addition, whole blood was analyzed for a complete blood count with differential. It was determined that there were no statistically significant differences between the LCLT and the placebo conditions for any of the variables examined. The results of this study suggest that LCLT, when used as a dietary supplement, has no adverse effects on metabolic and hematological safety variables in normally healthy men.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/11726261
Rebuttal to Attack Against Carnitine
http://www.lifeexten...rnitine/page-01
I am personally taking both Alpha-GPC and L-Carnitine since many years at moderate doses for a variety of reasons. I also recently increased a bit my phosphatidylcholines (PPC) becase of my genotypes in MTHFD1 and PEMT and relatively low consumption of eggs and meat.
While I did not study much the TMAO issue, I think that, as gut microbiota are key in the metabolism of phospholipids to yield TMAO, both for general reasons (immunity, anti-inflammatory, ...) and in trying to remediate to the TMAO negative effects, a parallel supplementation of good probiotics and prebiotics to maintain a good intestinal flora would be a good idea. I also do this regularly since many years. You might check these links:
Lipid Metabolism by Gut Microbes and Atherosclerosis
http://circres.ahajo.../109/2/127.full
Your Gut Bacteria Linked to Your Risk for Heart Disease
http://articles.merc...rt-disease.aspx
