---
title: "Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty to…"
description: "Acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation may help slow the progression of prefrailty in older adults by improving cognitive function and physical performance."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d36043711"
journal: "Curr Pharm Des"
year: 2022
pmid: "36043711"
doi: "10.2174/1381612828666220830092815"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty to Frailty in Older Subjects: A Randomized Interventional Clinical Trial

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty…

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d36043711

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Curr Pharm Des |
| Year | 2022 |
| PMID | [36043711](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36043711/) |
| DOI | [10.2174/1381612828666220830092815](https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612828666220830092815) |
| Study key | d36043711 |

## Takeaway

Acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation may help slow the progression of prefrailty in older adults by improving cognitive function and physical performance.

## The question

Does Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) affect the progression from prefrailty to frailty in older patients?

## Hypothesis

The study aims to evaluate the effect of ALCAR in pre-frail older patients, suggesting a potential beneficial effect.

## Methods

This was a randomized, observational, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 92 subjects. Participants received either oral ALCAR (1.5 g twice daily) or a placebo for 3 months, followed by a 3-month follow-up period. Measurements included C-reactive protein (CRP), serum-free carnitine, acetylcarnitine, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, 6-minute walking distance, and HDL cholesterol.

## Results

After treatment, the ALCAR group showed a decrease in CRP and an increase in serum-free carnitine, acetylcarnitine, MMSE scores, and 6-minute walking distance. Compared to the placebo group, the ALCAR group exhibited a decrease in HDL cholesterol and CRP, and an increase in MMSE score and 6-minute walking distance.

## Conclusion

ALCAR treatment delays the incidence and severity of degenerative disorders in prefrail older subjects, improving memory and cognitive processes.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> ALCAR treatment delays degenerative disorders with improvement in memory and cognitive processes

## Changes in Key Markers in ALCAR vs. Placebo Group

| Measure | Direction of Change |
| --- | --- |
| CRP (ALCAR vs. Placebo) | -1 |
| HDL Cholesterol (ALCAR vs. Placebo) | -1 |
| MMSE Score (ALCAR vs. Placebo) | 1 |
| 6-Walking Distance (ALCAR vs. Placebo) | 1 |

*This chart illustrates the direction of change in key markers in the ALCAR group compared to the placebo group. A value of 1 indicates an increase, and -1 indicates a decrease.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) | Moderate evidence | [Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/126.md) |

## Reference

1. **Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty to Frailty in Older Subjects: A Randomized Interventional Clinical Trial**
   Curr Pharm Des 2022 · [PMID 36043711](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36043711/) · [DOI 10.2174/1381612828666220830092815](https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612828666220830092815)

   > ALCAR treatment delays degenerative disorders with improvement in memory and cognitive processes

## Structured data

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.html","name":"Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty to Frailty in Older Subjects: A Randomized…","description":"Acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation may help slow the progression of prefrailty in older adults by improving cognitive function and physical performance.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36043711.html#study","name":"Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty to Frailty in Older Subjects: A Randomized Interventional Clinical Trial","headline":"Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty to Frailty in Older Subjects: A Randomized…","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Curr Pharm Des"},"identifier":"PMID:36043711","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36043711/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612828666220830092815","abstract":"Acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation may help slow the progression of prefrailty in older adults by improving cognitive function and physical performance."}]}
```

## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/126.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: mitochondrial fatty-acid transport](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s126.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).