Can You Take Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Gamma-Butyrobetaine Together?

Use extra care with this pair

The short answer

Gamma-Butyrobetaine is the direct biosynthetic precursor to L-Carnitine. Combining it with Acetyl-L-Carnitine may lead to excessive carnitine levels, potentially causing gastrointestinal distress and TMAO elevation.

How to arrange timing

Consider using either Gamma-Butyrobetaine or Acetyl-L-Carnitine, not both. Excess carnitine may increase TMAO levels.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Koeth RA, et al. Intestinal microbiota metabolism of L-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis. Nat Med. 2013;19(5):576-585.

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.