The many benefits of L-CARNITINE
Carnitine, or L-carnitine, is a naturally
occurring substance found in most cells of the body, particularly the brain,
neural tissue,
muscle, and heart. Carnitine, whose structure is similar to choline, is widely available
in animal foods (meat, poultry, fish and dairy products), whereas plants have very small amounts. Most
non-vegetarians consume about 100 to 300 mg of carnitine a day, and the body is able to
synthesize this nutrient if dietary intake is inadequate. When ingested as a pill,
carnitine is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier as well as its activated form
acetyl-L-carnitine.
Acetyl l carnitine has a more noticeable mental effect than
carnitine. Acetyl l carnitine usually enhances mental clarity and
focus, along with slight mood elevation. The effects of carnitine tend
to be more physical than mental, in the sense that carnitine may
provide physical energy whereas acetyl l carnitine provides more mental
energy.
Both acetyl l carnitine and carnitine are wonderful antioxidants, although the
former may be more powerful.
Another nutrient related to carnitine is
acetylcarnitine. Acetylcarnitine has more of an influence on mental function and
mind energy whereas carnitine has more of an influence on physical energy. Both
carnitine and acetylcarnitine are sold as supplements.
Benefits of carnitine
If you have a normal diet, you are likely to get adequate amounts of carnitine,
yet there are times when taking a carnitine supplement could be helpful. Several
studies show carnitine, when given as a daily supplement, improves recovery
after heavy exercise. In other words, people experience less fatigue. Carnitine
also mproves the exercise capacity of people with peripheral arterial disease.
Peripheral artery disease is a condition where the arteries that carry blood to
the legs get clogged up and cause pain with walking after a short distance.
And that's not all. Carnitine fights fatigue in other medical conditions. Cancer
patients receiving chemotherapy feel less tired when supplemented with carnitine.
There's even talk that carnitine may be helpful in weight control and
maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In one trial, when
carnitine was given to healthy elderly subjects, the results showed a reduction
in total fat mass, an increase in total muscle mass, and a lowering of serum
lipids.
How does carnitine work?
Carnitine helps to shuttle fatty acids into mitochondria for energy production.
Mitochondria are those tiny structures in each cell that help metabolize fats,
protein, and carbohydrates to make energy. I call them the energy factories.
There are thousands of these mitochondria in each cell. Without carnitine, fatty
acids cannot easily enter into mitochondria for energy production. In addition
to producing energy, carnitine helps remove toxic accumulations of fatty acids
from mitochondria, keeping these organelles healthy and functioning at their
best.... so you can feel energetic all day long.
What's the right dosage for l carnitine?
Since each person has a unique biochemistry, dosage recommendations vary. A
carnitine dosage range of 50 to 500 mg daily works for most people. Take a day
or two off each week. The effects of carnitine accumulate over time, therefore
your dosage may need to be reduced or you may wish to take breaks more often.
Lcarnitine
benefits - see the studies listed below
This supplement has potential as a treatment in several
conditions, but more research is needed to determine the appropriate dosage and
interactions with various other supplements and medications.
ADHD --Treatment with carnitine decreased attention problems and aggressive behavior in boys with ADHD.
Diabetes - Oral administration of L-carnitine
reduces oxidized LDL cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Exercise -- Carnitine improves recovery after heavy
exercise.
Carnitine may be of use in improving exercise capacity of people with peripheral
arterial disease. Carnitine moderately improves the duration of exercise and time to recovery in patients
with chronic stable angina.
Fatigue -- Carnitine may improve fatigue in certain conditions, including cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Carnitine decreases the severity and type of fatigue induced by interferon-alpha in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C. Administration of carnitine to healthy elderly subjects results in a reduction of total fat mass, an increase of total muscle mass, and appears to exert a favorable effect on fatigue and serum lipids.
Fertility --
Carnitine and acetyl carnitine therapy are effective in increasing fertility and sperm-semen quality.
Heart Failure
-- Those with heart failure may benefit from carnitine supplements.
Hyperthyroidism
-- Carnitine is effective in both reversing and preventing symptoms of hyperthyroidism and
has a beneficial effect on bone mineralization.
Because hyperthyroidism depletes the body deposits of
carnitine and since carnitine has little toxicity, teratogenicity, contraindications
and few interactions with drugs, carnitine can be of clinical use.
Kidney dialysis -- Intravenous carnitine is an accepted pharmaceutical treatment for carnitine deficiency in
end-stage renal disease in patients undergoing dialysis.
Liver cirrhosis
--
Treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis with signs of
liver insufficiency is complex and seldom satisfactory. Carnitine is involved
in liver lipid metabolism and thus might be a potentially effective
nutrient. One study shows L carnitine lowers serum
ammonia concentration and improves lipid metabolism in patients with liver
cirrhosis. Carnitine may also play a beneficial role in the treatment of mild or
moderate hepatic encephalopathy, and perhaps liver cancer.
Sexual health
-- Apparently l carnitine is helpful in sexual enhancement. Acetyl-l-carnitine is also helpful in this
regard.
Thalassemia -- Lcarnitine may be an effective substance for improving the
cardiac status of thalassemic patients.
Weight Loss -- The combination of l carnitine, choline, and caffeine has a mild effect on weight loss.
L carnitine side effects
It seems l carnitine is a relatively safe nutrient in doses ranging from 50 to 500 mg.
Higher doses of carnitine may lead to excess energy, restlessness, perhaps
insomnia. Long term side effects of high dose carnitine use are not fully known.
L Carnitine benefit for fatigue
L carnitine supplements may benefit certain patients with fatigue if
there are no obvious causes for the fatigue, such iron deficiency anemia,
a serious medical condition, etc.
Even a hundred year old may benefit from carnitine supplements. Italian researchers
at the
University of Catania gave sixty-six centenarians
2 grams l carnitine daily for six months. At the end
of the study period, the l carnitine treated centenarians showed significant improvements in total fat mass
and
total muscle mass. They were also less likely to have
physical and mental
fatigue. LDL-cholesterol levels fell among the individuals taking the
supplement. L-carnitine takers gained 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of muscle mass,
on average, and lost 1.8 kg (4 pounds) of fat mass. People given L-carnitine
were also able to walk 4 meters further during a 6-minute walking test
after treatment than those given placebo.
Comments: This study shows how much we still can learn about the
benefits of supplements in the aged. My preference would be to use a lower
amount of carnitine, such as 250 mg or 500 mg. Sometimes when high dosages of
energy enhancing pills are taken for prolonged periods, they can accumulate and
interfere with sleep.
L-Carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue
and increases cognitive functions in centenarians: a randomized and controlled
clinical trial
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 6, 1738-1744,
December 2007. Mariano Malaguarnera, Lisa Cammalleri, Maria Pia Gargante,
Marco Vacante, Valentina Colonna and Massimo Motta. From the Department of
Senescence, Urological, and Neurological Sciences, University of Catania,
Catania, Italy
Sixty-six centenarians
with onset of fatigue after even slight physical activity were recruited
to the study. The 2 groups received either 2 grams l carnitine once
daily or placebo. Efficacy measures included changes in total fat mass,
total muscle mass, serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, HDL
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol. The l carnitine treated centenarians, compared with
the placebo group, showed significant improvements in total fat mass,
total muscle mass, and plasma concentrations of total carnitine.
Significant differences were also found in physical fatigue and mental
fatigue.
Our study indicates that oral administration of l carnitine produces a
reduction of total fat mass, increases total muscular mass, and
facilitates an increased capacity for physical and cognitive activity by
reducing fatigue and improving cognitive functions.
L carnitine administration in elderly subjects with
rapid muscle fatigue: effect on body composition, lipid profile and fatigue.
Drugs Aging. 2003;20(10):761-7.
L carnitine is an important contributor to cellular energy
metabolism. This study aims to evaluate the effects of carnitine
supplementation on body composition, lipid profile and fatigue in
elderly subjects with rapid muscle fatigue. Eighty-four elderly
subjects with onset of fatigue following slight physical activity were
recruited to the study. One group received carnitine 2g twice daily and
the other placebo. At the end of the study, compared with placebo, the
carnitine-treated patients showed significant improvements in the
following parameters: total fat mass, total muscle mass, total
cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, apoA1, and apoB. There was
improvement in physical fatigue and mental fatigue. Administration of
carnitine to healthy elderly subjects resulted in a reduction of total
fat mass, an increase of total muscle mass, and appeared to exert a
favourable effect on fatigue and serum lipids.
Does carnitine help with weight loss?
L carnitine may be an effective supplement for weight loss by itself, but when combined with other nutrients it is even more effective.
The effect of l-carnitine on fat oxidation, protein turnover, and body
composition in slightly overweight subjects.
Metabolism. 2004 Aug;53(8):1002-6.
We used a combined tracer technique with the stable isotopes (13)C and (15)N to gain further insight into the metabolic changes that accompany supplementation of l-carnitine. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether l-carnitine supplementation can influence fat oxidation, protein turnover, body composition, and weight development in slightly overweight subjects. Twelve volunteers received an individual regular diet either without or with l-carnitine supplementation of 3 grams a day for 10 days. Body fat mass, total body water, and lean body mass were calculated by using bioelectric impedance analysis. L-carnitine supplementation led to a significant increase in protein synthesis indicating that the increased dietary fat oxidation in slightly overweight subjects was not accompanied by protein catabolism.
Caffeine, carnitine and choline supplementation of rats decreases body fat and
serum leptin concentration as does exercise.
J Nutr 2000 Feb;130(2):152-7
The effect of a combination of caffeine, carnitine and choline with or without exercise on changes in body weight, fat pad mass, serum leptin concentration and metabolic indices was determined in 20 male, 7-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats. They were given free access to a nonpurified diet without or with caffeine, carnitine and choline at concentrations of 0.1, 5 and 11.5 g/kg diet, respectively. In a 2x2 factorial design, one-half of each dietary group was exercised, and the other half was sedentary. Food intake of the groups was not different, but the body weight was significantly reduced by exercise in both dietary groups. Fat pad weights and total lipids of epididymal, inguinal and perirenal regions were significantly reduced by the supplements as well as by exercise. Regardless of exercise, supplements significantly lowered triglycerides in serum but increased levels in skeletal muscle. Serum leptin concentrations were equally lowered by supplements and exercise. Serum leptin was correlated with body weight, fat pad weight and serum glucose. We conclude that the indices of body fat loss due to dietary supplements with carnitine were similar to those due to mild exercise, and there were no interactive effects of the two variables.
L carnitine benefit for
fertility and sperm health
Combined treatment with L-carnitine, a popular dietary supplement, and acetyl-carnitine, a related chemical, appears to improve sperm motility in men with fertility problems, according to a new study. In the study, 60 infertile men between the ages of 20 and 40 years were randomly selected to take a combination of L-carnitine and L-acetyl-carnitine or an inactive "placebo" for 6 months. In the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, researchers at the University of Rome led by Dr. Andrea Lenzi report that 2 months after the completion of therapy, men who took L-carnitine and acetyl carnitine had increases in sperm concentration, forward movement, and total movement. The most significant improvements in sperm motility, both forward and total, were observed in men who had the lowest levels of moving sperm when the study began. The researchers note that four spontaneous pregnancies were achieved during the study by men who had taken the combination therapy.
Placebo-controlled double-blind randomized
trial on the use of L-carnitine, L-acetyl carnitine, or combined L-carnitine and
L-acetyl carnitine in men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia.
Fertility & Sterility 2005 Sep;84(3):662-71. Andrology unit,
Department of Internal Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy.
We evaluated the effectiveness of L-carnitine or acetyl carnitine or
combined carnitine and acetyl carnitine treatment in improving semen
kinetic parameters. Sixty infertile men, ages 20 to 40 years, with the
following baseline sperm selection criteria: concentration > 20 x
10(6)/mL, sperm forward motility < 50%, and normal sperm morphology
> 30%. Patients underwent a double-blind therapy of carnitine 3
grams a day, acetyl carntine 3 grams a day, a combination of carnitine
2 g/d and acetyl carnitine 1 g/d, or placebo for a period of six
months. Sperm cell motility increased in patients to whom acetyl
carnitine was administered both alone or in combination with carnitine;
combined carnitine + acetyl l carnitine therapy led to a significant
improvement of straight progressive velocity. The administration of
carnitine and acetyl carnitine is effective in increasing sperm kinetic
features in patients affected by idiopathic asthenozoospemia and
improves the total antioxidant status of the seminal fluid.
L carnitine for liver health
L-carnitine inhibits
hepatocarcinogenesis via protection of mitochondria.
Int J Cancer. 2004 Oct 21
Hepatocellular carcinoma is usually preceded by chronic
inflammation. Recently, we reported that mitochondrial dysfunction
plays an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis via the production of
free radicals. Furthermore, we proved that L-carnitine effectively
protects mitochondrial function in vivo. Therefore, we investigated
whether long-term administration of L carnitine could prevent hepatitis
and subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma in Long-Evans Cinnamon rats
that are often analyzed as a model of hepatocarcinogenesis. The results
indicated that oxidative stress elicited from abnormally accumulated
copper increased the amount of free fatty acids, thereby inducing
mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in cell death and enhanced
secondary generation of reactive oxygen species, which were
significantly inhibited by carnitine treatment. Mitochondrial injury
plays an essential role in the development of hepatocarcinogenesis and
the clinical use of carnitine may have therapeutic potential in
individuals with chronic hepatitis.
L carnitine help for
thalassemia
Effect of L-carnitine on the physical fitness of thalassemic patients.
Ann Hematol. 2007 January. El-Beshlawy A, El Accaoui R, Abd El-Sattar
M, Gamal El-Deen MH, Youssry I, Shaheen N, Hamdy M, El-Ghamrawy M, Taher A.
Department of Pediatrics, New Children Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Poor physical fitness is a common problem among patients with thalassemia. The main objective of this
study is to assess the effect of the administration of oral L-carnitine on
exercise tolerance and physical fitness in patients with thalassemia major.
Thirty patients followed up at the New Cairo University Children Hospital were
included in this study. Clinical, laboratory, and cardiopulmonary exercise
testing were performed before and after 6 months of oral L-carnitine therapy (50
mg per kg per day). The oxygen consumption, cardiac output, and oxygen pulse at
maximal exercise significantly increased after L-carnitine therapy. However,
there was no significant change in minute ventilation and ventilatory equivalent
of carbon dioxide. There was also significant increase in the blood transfusion
intervals after L-carnitine administration. However, there was no significant
change in hemoglobin concentration. L-Carnitine seems to be a safe and effective
adjunctive therapeutic approach in thalassemic patients. It improves their
cardiac performance and physical fitness. The younger the patients are, the
higher is the degree of improvement in their exercise parameters.
Comments: For long term use we suggest using a much lower dosage of
5 to 10 mg per kilogram body weight.
How does L carnitine work?
Carnitine and acetyl-l carnitine play several important roles in the
human body, particularly in energy metabolism. These nutrients shuttle acetyl
groups and fatty acids into mitochondria for energy production. Without
carnitine, fatty acids cannot easily enter into mitochondria. The acetyl group
of acetyl-l carnitine is used to form acetyl-CoA, the most important
intermediary in the generation of energy from amino acids, fats, and
carbohydrates. Therefore, acetyl-l carnitine serves as an energy reservoir of
acetyl groups and both acetyl-l carnitine and carnitine help improve energy
production. Those who take carnitine pills often notice an increase in energy
levels.
Carnitine and acetyl l carnitine as anti-aging
supplements?
In addition to producing energy,
these two nutrients remove toxic accumulations of fatty acids from mitochondria,
keeping these organelles healthy and functioning at their best. Energy
production in mitochondria is not a perfect process and toxic metabolites
do accumulate. Accumulation of these toxic metabolites and the resulting
oxidative damage is likely to contribute to aging of cells. A waste substance
called lipofuscin accumulates in cells as we age and perhaps adequate acetyl-l carnitine
intake can help minimize this accumulation. A study in rats providing acetyl-l carnitine
from youth showed this nutrient to decrease lipofuscin levels in their brain as
they got old. Therefore, it is theoretically possible that supplementation with carnitine or
acetyl-l-carnitine can slow the aging process.
Deficiency of l carnitine
Carnitine is comprised of two amino acids, lysne and methionine. Its role is
to transport long-chain fatty acids across the cell's inner mitochrondial
membrane. Mitochrondia use fatty acids and glucose to produce energy.
Secondary carnitine deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder usually diagnosed at
birth. However, primary carnitine deficiency, which is due to decreased
synthesis of carnitine in the body or altered transport of carnitine across the
cellular membrane, can occur in people of all ages. Carnitine levels decrease with age.
Carnitine metabolism
Carnitine, the L-beta-hydroxy-gamma-N-trimethylaminobutyric acid, is
synthesized primarily in the liver and kidneys from lysine and methionine.
Carnitine covers an important role in lipid metabolism, acting as an obligatory
cofactor for beta-oxidation of fatty acids by facilitating the transport of
long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane as acylcarnitine
esters. Furthermore, since carnitine behaves as a shuttle for acetyl groups from
inside to outside the mitochondrial membrane, it covers a key role in
glucose metabolism and assists in fuel-sensing. A reduction of the fatty acid
transport inside the mitochondria results in the cytosolic accumulation of
triglycerides, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.
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