How Products were Selected:
Products were selected to represent those commonly sold and/or available nationally in the U.S. ConsumerLab.com purchased products on the open market through retail stores, on-line retailers, and direct sales or multi-level marketing companies. Products were not accepted directly from manufacturers.
Testing Methods:
Products were tested for the amount of acetyl-L-carnitine by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) using Ultra Violet (UV) detection.
Disintegration of non-chewable, non-capsule, non-enteric coated and non-time release formulations was analyzed by ConsumerLab.com utilizing USP (United States Pharmacopeia) <2040> methodology.
Products failing to meet any Passing Score were re-tested in a second independent laboratory using similar methods and instrumentation.
ConsumerLab.com may modify or use other appropriate test methods if necessary to test special product formulations.
Passing Score: *
To pass testing, a product had to:
- Contain a minimum of 100% and not exceed 150% of label claim for acetyl-L-carnitine (free base) or acetyl-L-carnitine complexes (e.g. acetyl-l-carnitine hydrochloride)
- Meet recommended USP parameters for disintegration for nutritional supplements (excluding capsule, chewable and time-release products).
- Meet FDA labeling requirements.
