L-Carnitine Myths & Facts

L-carnitine, an essential nutrient, moves fatty acids into mitochondria, cells that produce energy, according to Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre. Dietary supplements, especially weight loss and sports nutrition products, commonly contain carnitine, according to the journal Regulatory, Toxicology and Pharmacology.

Fact: Carnitine Deficiency

Carnitine deficiency due to a genetic disorder in a carnitine membrane transporter involves muscle, kidney and fibroblasts. Muscle pain and myoglobin in urine occurs after prolonged exercise. In young children, severe manifestations include: hypoglycemia, cardiomyopathy, liver failure and sudden death, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine."

Fat is the primary energy source for heart muscle. Carnitine is essential in the heart for normal fatty acid oxidation. Carnitine deficiency in children causes cardiomyopathy, according to the Journal Giornale Italiano di Cardiologia.

Fact: Weight Loss

Carnitine supplementation benefits treatment of obesity, according to the journal "Nutrition & Metabolism." A study of obese rats published in the journal "Nutrition Clinical Practice" in 2008 showed carnitine improved glucose levels and energy expenditure. Human studies need to confirm this data.

Fact: Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common chronic neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging. Carnitine has shown preliminary benefit in Alzheimer's and age-related memory impairment. Acetyl-L-carnitine, or ALC, an experimental treatment, may treat memory loss associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease, according to Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre.

Myth: Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue

Fatigue commonly occurs in multiple sclerosis patients. A study published in 2006 evaluated the benefit of L-carnitine in people with MS-related fatigue who had low L-carnitine blood levels. Results showed a 63 percent decrease in fatigue in participants treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Another study from 2004 showed that acetyl-L-carnitine lessened fatigue in those with MS better than amantadine, another commonly used drug to treat MS-related fatigue. However, study design problems make it unclear whether acetyl-L-carnitine is effective at reducing MS-related fatigue; consequently, more studies are needed, according to the Mayo Clinic's website.

Myth: Diabetic Complications

A literature search over the last 10 years was performed using the following terms: L-carnitine and other antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 and treatment of diabetes. Antioxidants showed no benefit in managing diabetic complications. Therefore, vitamin or mineral supplementation is not recommended for treating complications of diabetes, according to "Current Diabetes Reviews."