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Carnitine: What It Is and How It Works
Carnitine, comes from an amino acid and is an element of nearly every cell in the body. It is part of various compounds that include L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine, and is important in energy production of the body.
For example, l-carnitine transfers fatty acids from the blood into the mitochondria, the energy-producing ”furnaces” in the cells, so that the fatty acids can be used as energy.
L-carnitine can improve stamina because it stops the collection of lactic acid in the
Normally, a healthy human body creates enough of its own carnitine to meet its needs. However, in some case, genetic or medical issues can create a deficiency (including premature babies).
It’s primarily used for patients with heart-related problems, with some research indicating that it can be used (in conjunction with conventional treatment) for angina. Used in combination with traditional therapies, carnitine may also lower mortality rates after a heart attack.
There is less evidence to suggest that carnitine may be helpful for
Carnitine might also be useful for better exercise tolerance in patients with chronic pulmonary obstruction disease (COPD).
Additionally, many athletes use l-carnitine supplements, believing that they improve overall performance and recovery.
What Is Carnitine Deficiency?
There are two carnitine deficiency states. The National Institutes Of Health notes, “Primary carnitine deficiency is a
Secondary carnitine deficiencies can be caused by disorders like chronic renal failure, or when medications or activities reduce carnitine absorption. Carnitine, as a prescription product, can treat these deficiencies, but should only be prescribed by a physician.
Signs and symptoms of primary carnitine deficiency occur during infancy and/or early childhood;
Some people with primary deficiency show no symptoms, but anyone with primary carnitine deficiency is at higher risk for liver problems, heart failure, coma, and sudden death.
The Benefits of Carnitines
Carnitine offers many benefits to our health. Our skin needs creatine to function normally, including the creation of connective tissue, metabolism, and cell
Carnitines also heighten fat metabolism, making it a well-known “fat-burner”. Fatty acids transported into the cells are burned to release energy in the mitochondria, the “power stations” of the cells. The long-branched chain fatty acid molecules can only enter the mitochondria with the help of carnitine.
With regular exercise, carnitine can produce a higher rate of fat burn. This is beneficial for those trying to lose weight, and supplements
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, “studies confirm that cancer patients who took between 250 milligrams (mg) to 4 grams (g) of L-carnitine per day experienced less fatigue.”
Other studies suggest that L-carnitine supplementation can
improve fertility (sperm mobility) in men
lower risk of death for those who have had one or more heart attacks
provide some cognitive improvements in the elderly
L-carnitine also may benefit brain function in healthy or cognitively impaired individuals. ALCAR (Acetyl-L-Carnitine) studies have suggested that it can contribute to increased learning capacity. Experiments using rats found that the
During human studies, taking ALCAR appeared to at least slow the decline in brain function for Alzheimer’s patients and those suffering from other degenerative brain diseases.
Another study found that Acetyl-L-carnitine showed signs that it may be able to protect the brain from cell degeneration. This particular study involved alcoholic individuals taking 2 grams of ALCAR every day for three months. These people demonstrated marked improvements in every
In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be several other benefits to supplementing with L-carnitine:
Body Composition
increased muscle
loss of fat
increased energy
Physical Performance
stamina during exercise
reduction of leg cramps during exercise
increased blood flow to areas low in oxygen
Blood Glucose Control
improvement of pancreatic beta cell
improved insulin sensitivity
enhanced exercise performance for blood sugar regulation
Sexual & Reproductive Performance
improvement in sperm quality (younger males)
increase of erectile function
Dosage of Carnitines
Healthy individuals generally do not need carnitine supplements because the kidneys and liver produce enough carnitines from the amino acids present in the body. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the National Academies (formerly
Carnitines are best ingested through red meat, fish, poultry, and milk. Scientists say, “the redder the meat, the higher its carnitine content.”
Should you desire supplementation, it is important that you check with your doctor for the correct dosage:
For ALCAR, for brain health and
L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, for exercise performance, can be dosed from 1,000–4,000 mg daily.
Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine (also called GPLC), for improving blood flow, is best in doses from 400–1,000 mg daily.
A thorough review of current research suggests that up to 2,000 mg (2 grams) daily appears safe for long-term use of L-carnitine.
Carnitine Supplements
Carnitine supplementation can be tricky. Those who experience diabetic neuropathy, cognitive decline, cancer treatments, or
Vegans and vegetarians often experience low L-carnitine levels because they restrict or avoid their intake of animal products. As such, it would be wise for vegans and vegetarians to take L-carnitine supplements. Currently, however, there are no studies on this particular population to support supplementation.
Levels of L-carnitine decline as we age. So, the elderly may benefit from a supplement. In one
Those with cirrhosis and kidney disease are at higher risk for carnitine deficiency. As such, they could benefit from a supplement.
Carnitine Side Effects
When doses of carnitine supplements reach 3 grams/day, the supplements can cause vomiting, abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and a peculiar body odor. Other, rarer side effects include muscle
Some research that suggests that when intestinal bacteria metabolize carnitine, it forms something called TMAO, which can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. These findings are not conclusive, and more research is required to clarify the risks.
Patients with long-term urinary tract infections or those who have seizure disorders that require certain medications are at risk for carnitine deficiency. When this occurs during the course of normal treatment,
Research suggests that in healthy men, carnitine supplementation of 3000mg per day over the course of 3 weeks produced no changes in any blood or enzyme limits. Therefore, it can be supposed that oral carnitine supplementation is safe. However, patients have complained of irritating side effects like diarrhea, gastrointestinal pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and insomnia.
Some evidence reveals that carnitine
Carnitine: Yes or No?
The research clearly suggests that bodybuilders and athletes should be able to use carnitine supplements safely, along with those who
However, for most healthy people, supplementation is unnecessary and potentially dangerous. In any case, it is vital that you talk with your doctor prior to beginning any fitness regimen that may include carnitine supplementation, or before supplementing for other purposes.
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