Alpha lipoic acid, found naturally in red meat, liver and Brewer's yeast, is both water and fat-soluble so can work throughout the body. L-carnitine is found naturally in lamb and dairy products. A healthy person should not be deficient in either of these nutrients, but patients suffering from certain health conditions may find supplementation beneficial. A doctor should be consulted before taking any L-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid supplements.
L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant and so helps to protect the body from free radical damage. Free radicals occur naturally in the body but can also result from toxins such as pollution or cigarette smoke, they are highly reactive molecules that can cause damage to cells and have been linked to health problems such as heart disease. Alpha Lipoic acid is found in every cell, where it helps turn glucose into energy.
Carnitine, an amino acid, helps the body turn fat into energy. It is produced by the body in the kidneys and liver and stored in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain, and sperm. According to the University of Maryland, carnitine has been proposed as a treatment for many conditions because it has antioxidant properties.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary heart disease, often referred to as CHD, is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CHD is usually caused by a condition called atherosclerosis which occurs when fatty material and other substances build-up on the walls of the arteries. As the coronary arteries narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop. Typically symptoms of CHD include, chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue.
According to the FamilyDoctor.org blood pressure can increase your risk for CHD.
In a study published in a 2007 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Hypertension," researchers found that taking L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid for 8 weeks helped to decrease the systolic blood pressure of patients with coronary artery disease.
Fatigue in Celiac Patients
Celiac disease, a digestive disease, causes damage to the small intestine and reduces the absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate the protein gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley.
In a study published in a 2007 issue of "Digestion and Liver Disease," researchers studied the effect of L-carnitine on fatigue in patients with celiac disease. The authors comment that fatigue is common in celiac patients and that some research shows that patients with celiac disease have low levels of l-carnitine. The team found that taking 2 g of L-carnitine daily for 6 months significantly improved fatigue.
Diabetes
Diabetes is caused when levels of your blood sugar, or glucose are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat and is helped into cells by the hormone insulin. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body does not make insulin. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes is caused when the cells become resistant to the action of insulin.
In a study published in a 1999 issue of "Free Radical Biology and Medicine," researchers found that 600mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid for 4 weeks improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients.
References
- University of Maryland: Carnitine
- FamilyDoctor.org: Coronary Artery Disease: Reducing Your Risk
- "Journal of Clinical Hypertension": Effect of combined treatment with alpha-Lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine on vascular function and blood pressure in patients with coronary artery disease: McMackin CJ, Widlansky ME, Hamburg NM, Huang AL, Weller S, et al: 2007
- "Digestion and Liver Disease": L-Carnitine in the treatment of fatigue in adult celiac disease patients: Ciacci C, Peluso G, Iannoni E, et al: 2007
- "Free Radical Biology and Medicine": Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, pilot trial.Jacob S, Ruus P, Hermann R, et al. Free Rad Biol Med 1999;27:309-14.
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