Discovered in Moscow
In 1905 the Russian researchers Vladimir Gulewitsch and Robert Krimberg found a new substance in meat extract in Moscow. They called it carnitine, after the Latin carnis, meat. Meat, especially red meat, is still the richest source in the diet. The body also makes carnitine itself in the liver and kidneys, from the amino acids lysine and methionine.
The mealworm's vitamin
In the 1950s, researchers discovered that the larva of the mealworm beetle, the mealworm, could not grow without carnitine from its feed. Because it was an essential nutrient for this insect, carnitine was given the name vitamin BT, with the T of Tenebrio, the Latin name of the mealworm beetle. For humans, carnitine is not a vitamin, because we can make it ourselves.
A shuttle service for fatty acids
Carnitine works as a kind of shuttle service in the cell. It carries long-chain fatty acids through the membrane of the mitochondria, the power plants of the cell, where they are converted into energy. Acetyl-L-carnitine is carnitine with an acetyl group attached. The body can convert the two forms into each other as needed.
What is Acetyl-L-Carnitine?
Acetyl-L-carnitine is a natural amino acid derivative and is active in almost every cell of the body. It is also known as ALCAR. Because acetyl-L-carnitine can pass the blood-brain barrier more easily, it is also referred to as the neurological variant of carnitine. As a semi-essential amino acid, acetyl-L-carnitine and/or carnitine is involved in many processes in the body. This single-ingredient formulation is soundly dosed and purchased under strict conditions: only suppliers with an impeccable reputation are considered. Acetyl-L-carnitine features in many published studies. Based on the published data, Momentous considers acetyl-L-carnitine a worthwhile supplement.
NSF Certified for Sport
NSF Certified for Sport is the certification mark recognised by American professional leagues such as the NFL and MLB. Every batch is tested for more than 270 substances that are banned in sport, and it is checked whether the product contains what is on the label.
Momentous and Ergomax
Since 2024 Ergomax has been the exclusive distributor of Momentous on the European mainland and ships throughout Europe.
