The influence on cognition of the interactions between lecithin, carnitine and carbohydrate.

It is accepted that acetylcholine-mediated neurones modulate memory. As lecithin, carnitine and glucose all influence acetylcholine metabolism, the possibility of synergistic interactions was considered. Four hundred young adult females randomly, and under a double-blind procedure, received capsules for 3 days that contained a placebo, lecithin (1.6 g/day), carnitine (500 mg/day) or carnitine plus lecithin. A battery of cognitive tests was administered prior to taking the capsules, after 3 days of taking the supplements, and for a third time after consuming either a glucose drink or a placebo. Reaction times were more rapid when carnitine and a glucose drink were taken together. Memory was enhanced in those taking a glucose rather than placebo drink. Neither mood nor the ability to sustain attention were influenced by these procedures. The hypothesis that memory would be facilitated by offering supplements of lecithin, carnitine and glucose was not supported.