Vitamins and nutrients are crucial to your health. Low levels of any vitamin or nutrient can result improper body function. Your body can make some nutrients, while you must obtain other through your diet. Carnitine, or L-carnitine, is a nutrient involved in several body functions. Deficiency is uncommon; your body generally makes all the carnitine it needs.
Functions
Carnitine is produced in the liver and kidneys using another amino acid called lysine; it is stored in the skeletal muscles, heart and brain. Its primary function is to generate energy from fatty acids. Carnitine is concentrated in tissues, such as the heart muscle, which use it as their primary source of fuel. Carnitine plays a role in transporting long-chain fatty acids to energy cell centers called mitochondria.
Heart Conditions
Carnitine is beneficial for heart conditions such as angina and heart failure. Angina is chest pain that results when your heart does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, clinical research indicates that carnitine can help reduce of angina and improve the ability to exercise without chest pain. UMMC goes on to indicate that carnitine can improve exercise capacity in individuals who have suffered from heart failure.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition of severe and prolonged exhaustion that is not alleviated by rest or sleep. Though there are many theories, the cause remains unknown. According to UMMC, some researchers believe that CFS is caused by vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, including carnitine. When compared to a medication used to treat fatigue, individuals who took carnitine experienced greater improvement. More research is necessary, but the benefit of carnitine for CFS is promising, states UMMC.
Sources and Safety
Dietary sources of carnitine include meats and dairy products. Because all supplements can cause side effects, consult your doctor before taking carnitine, especially if you are prescribed medications. Side effects of carnitine are generally mild. Dosages of 5 g or more may cause diarrhea. Other side effects include rash, body odor and increased appetite.
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