L-carnitine, or carnitine, is a chemical compound synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine. Most people receive an adequate amount of extra l-carnitine through diet; some individuals, however, have health disorders that lead to a deficiency in this substance. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Meat, poultry, fish and dairy products are the best dietary sources of carnitine, which is also available in supplement form. The UMMC advises taking carnitine supplements only under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.
Angina
Carnitine is a potentially beneficial treatment used in addition to conventional therapy for stable angina, according to the UMMC. L-carnitine and a related form, propionyl-l-carnitine, help decrease symptoms and improve the ability to exercise without chest pain. Additionally, both oral and injected carnitine show benefit for cardiac ischemia, or decreased blood flow to the heart, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, or ODS. Carnitine levels are low in failing heart muscle, and studies indicate that supplementing may help.
Other Heart Conditions
Research results on the effectiveness of carnitine for other heart problems are mixed, and the UMMC notes a lack of well-designed studies. Some research indicates that l-carnitine supplements can help prevent another heart attack in heart attack patients, as well as prevent development of abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, or death from heart disease in these patients. Other studies have found no benefits. Additionally, some research suggests carnitine reduces symptoms of congestive heart failure and improves exercise capacity in these individuals, according to the UMMC.
Intermittent Claudication
Numerous studies indicate that carnitine decreases intermittent claudication, or leg pain, in people with peripheral vascular disease, and increases the distance they can walk, according to the UMMC. The pain results from decreased blood flow to the legs due to blocked or narrowed arteries, and it can significantly impair the ability to exercise.
Cognition
L-carnitine is promoted as an anti-aging supplement, but the ODS notes that research with humans is lacking. Benefits for elderly individuals are indicated, however. Research suggests that l-carnitine supplements in the form of acetyl-l-carnitine may increase mental functioning and slow mental deterioration in older individuals with mild cognitive disability and Alzheimer's disease, according to the ODS. Additionally, research with aged rats has found that supplementing with high doses of acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid leads to the animals moving around more and performing better on tasks involving memory.
Diabetes
Taking l-carnitine supplements may improve insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients by reducing fat levels in muscle and lowering blood sugar, according to the ODS. It also appears effective for reducing symptoms of pain associated with diabetic neuropathy in patients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Infertility
Research indicates that taking l-carnitine supplements may increase sperm count and mobility, and low sperm counts have been linked to low carnitine levels, explains the UMMC. Carnitine in the form of propionyl-l-carnitine also may help improve sexual function in men. During one study cited by the UMMC, carnitine significantly improved the effectiveness of sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, in men who had not previously responded to this medication.
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