Q: Hello,

I learned about your existence via the DCA company as I forwarded a question to them that they aren’t entitled to answer. I hope you might enlighten me on my query.

I had half a lung removed since being diagnosed with a lung tumour (Dec 2018). I refused chemotherapy, radiotherapy and started DCA as part of a natural alternative therapy via food and other healthy disciplines.

I have been taking DCA for 3 months now, my weight is 51 kg and I took one DCA tablet daily in the morning until a few weeks ago. To lower the side effect of trembling and coordination (I had some). I take benfotiamine (300mg/day) and Alpha lipoic acid 3x200mg/day.

My first scan at the beginning of April was clear the next one in July showed a lymph node 24mm in the top part lung, the doctor thought my cancer wanted to re-emerge in the lymph system. I’m not followed by an oncologist as he dropped my case since I refused chemo and radiotherapy. France is very traditional and even hostile towards my sort of attitude.

I have had no new scan since and carry on doubling the dose: one tablet in the morning, one tablet in the evening. Two weeks on and one week off. My monthly blood tests are rather very satisfying and carried out by my general practitioner.

I have not taken this supplement together with the DCA as an optional 3rd supplement. I have read that this acetyl L carnitine could also cause weight loss. I would love to gain weight … Your opinion on this ?

Thanks for whatever advice you can give and light you can shed on my query.
Yours, Josiane.

A: Dear Mrs. Josiane,
Thank you for your e-mail.
You can surely take the DCA protocol without Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALC). In our honest opinion, it is the least important neuroprotective supplement in comparison to Vitamin B1 and Alpha-lipoic acid. Nevertheless, there are some studies proving that Acetyl L-Carnitine could help avoiding DCA side effects of the nerve system. (Ref1.), (Ref2.), (Ref3.)
There is limited evidence that Acetyl L-Carnitine provides significant weight loss, in fact, there is still no significant evidence that it could cause measurable weight loss. There were no differences in weight loss between women who took ALC and those who didn‘t. (Ref.1) , (Ref2.)

Acetyl L-Carnitine is nothing to be afraid of. It is found in animal products and is consumed by people every day. If you are vegetarian, taking a little bit of Acetyl L-Carnitine could even prove beneficial for you since you get a reduced amount of it from your diet.

However, if you’re too uncomfortable consuming it, take smaller doses or avoid using it altogether. The stress and negative feelings that come with it are too big of a price to pay for the benefits.

On the other hand, if you feel more relaxed about Acetyl L-Carnitine – please take it as recommended in our articles or by your doctor.

We have been following people that are taking these supplements at least 3 years and we have never heard that L-Carnitine caused any problems.

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