L-carnitine is a nutrient produced in the human body. It's main function is to help turn body fat into energy. Some health conditions prevent the body from being able to produce enough or move enough L-carnitine around the body. L-carnitine is sometimes touted for weight loss effects, however without consuming a sensible diet and increasing exercise, this will not have any effect on overweight individuals. Children who are not found to be deficient in this nutrient do not need to and should not take L-carnitine supplements.
What is L-carnitine?
L-carnitine is a single amino acid that is considered to be non-essential because of the human body's ability to produce it on its own. Found in almost every cell of the human body, this nutrient is important for human health. Specifically, L-carnitine is needed in the body to break down long-chain fatty acids and help the energy- producing part of a cell turn it into energy for the body to use. L-carnitine is concentrated and stored in areas of the body such as skeletal and cardiac muscle, where fatty acids are used most readily for fuel. Children need this nutrient for normal bodily function, but taking this as a supplement when it is not needed could lead to side effects such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhea when taken in large amounts.
Conditions that Require L-carnitine Supplementation
Heart conditions such as angina, heart attack and heart failure may prompt a doctor to prescribe an L-carnitine supplement. While heart attack and failure is less common in children, angina is known to occur, and children diagnosed with it may benefit from an L-carnitine supplement. Peripheral Vascular Disease is caused by plaque build-up in the arteries and is helped by L-carnitine supplementation. However, this condition is extremely rare in children and would likely not be of any concern until much later in life. Other conditions that may prompt L-carnitine supplementation that are not normally seen in children include Diabetic Neuropathy, Alzheimer's disease, kidney disease, male infertility, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease and hyperthyroidism. If any of these conditions arise in a child, a doctor may suggest L-carnitine supplements as part of treatment and they would be safe in that case for a child's consumption.
Recommended Dose of L-carnitine
According to the National Institutes of Health, the national Food and Nutrition Board has not established a recommended daily intake of L-carnitine for either adults or children. In normal conditions, it is not a needed supplement; the body can produce the nutrient in sufficient amounts on its own. In cases where supplementation is recommended by a doctor, he would prescribe a suitable dose for the child based on individual body weight and nutritional needs.
Other Known Side Effects of L-carnitine
Side effects of L-carnitine are not serious or seriously health-threatening. Problems sleeping may arise due to extra enargy being produced in the body. A few cases of increased heart rate and blood pressure have been reported, however these increases were not life-threatening. For this reason, those with high blood pressure should not supplement with L-carnitine unless under medical supervision. Undesired side effects are mild and rare because this is a nutrient that the body itself can make, so it is recognized and generally synthesized normally in the body. Over all, it is not a dangerous nutrient to supplement and could be considered safe for children. However, it is unnecessary without instruction from a qualified health professional.
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