Carnitine, also known as Acetyl-l-carnitine or L-carnitine, is an amino acid that your body uses to turn fat into energy. Amino acids are the basic components of proteins, a major source of cell wall strength and muscle-building. Most people are able to synthesize an adequate amount of L-carnitine from their diets. Some people, however, are deficient in this necessary micronutrient and may need to take carnitine as a supplement. If you're one of those people, talk to your doctor about getting the right supplement in the right dosage.
Heart and Vascular Health Benefits
If you have chronic stable angina, a number of studies have shown that L-carnitine supplements can help control your symptoms, allowing you to do more exercise with less pain. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, researchers have also examined the use of L-carnitine following myocardial infarction, or MI, a type of heart attack, and for heart failure. The results for people who had an MI were mixed, but if you have heart failure, a certain kind of L-carnitine supplement may improve your exercise tolerance. All the studies were done on people who were using L-carnitine supplements in addition to other medical therapies, so if you have heart disease, consult your physician before taking this or any other supplement. L-carnitine deficiency is also implicated in a type of peripheral arterial disease in which blood circulation in the legs is slowed or blocked, causing considerable pain and limiting your ability to walk more than a very short distance. Some studies with one type of L-carnitine have resulted in improved exercise tolerance and decreased pain, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM). As with heart disease, if you have leg pain that severely limits your movement, talk to your doctor about taking supplements in addition to other medical therapies.
L-carnitine and Aging
While studies have not found that taking L-carnitine supplements have not had a measurable impact on people with Alzheimer's, one study on rats reported by the Linus Pauling Institute showed that certain supplements, including a type of L-carnitine, actually reversed some aging processes, including aging of the mitochondria --- the energy powerhouse in cells. The result was more efficient energy production, less oxidative stress resulting from cell breakdown and improved memory. No human studies have been completed yet, so the overall health effect of L-carnitine on aging isn't determined.
L-Carnitine and Kidney Disease
Carnitine deficiency is associated with some genetic conditions and also with people who are on hemodialysis because they have kidney disease. This is partly because the chemicals needed for your body to manufacture carnitine are removed during the dialysis process, and also because the damaged kidneys aren't able to produce as much of this amino acid. Only people with very specific L-carnitine deficiency symptoms associated with kidney disease may benefit from supplementation, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Be sure to talk to your doctor to find out if you are among this group before taking any supplements.
Other Research on L-carnitine
Not all of the reported benefits of this supplement have found support in research. For example, studies that examine the effect of L-carnitine supplements on physical performance have been disappointing, notes the Linus Pauling Institute. L-carnitine has also been marketed as a weight loss supplement, but no research supports this use; it has been found to decrease the amount of fat, while increasing muscle mass and reducing fatigue, all of which make weight loss more possible. That same characteristic may help people with chronic fatigue syndrome, according to UMM. L-carnitine supplements may also improve male sexual function and improve sperm counts. Because research into L-carnitine supplements is ongoing for these and other medical conditions, it's important that you seek guidance from your doctor concerning its use.
Side Effects and Drug Interactions
You can take L-carnitine, or levocarnitine, supplements orally or intravenously. They are available over-the-counter or as a prescription. If your doctor does prescribe this supplement, be sure you are getting only the L form of the carnitine. The D, L-form, also known as vitamin BT, can actually worsen your carnitine deficiency, according to MayoClinic.com. Very rarely, people experience mild side effects, such as diarrhea, body odor or a rash. These symptoms are more likely to occur if you are taking too large a dose. According to UMM, the usual dose is from 1 to 3 g per day, depending on the condition under treatment. A number of drugs may cause L-carnitine deficiency, including valproic acid, AZT, the cancer drugs ifosfamide and cisplatin, and isotretinoin, the active ingredient in Accutane, the acne medication. If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor about L-carnitine supplementation to maintain muscle mass and help prevent fatigue.
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