L-carnitine is an amino acid that metabolizes fat into energy. In healthy people, the body maintains sufficient supply of L-carnitine from endogenous biosynthesis from the amino acids lysine and methionine, dietary sources and reabsorption of the amino acid from the kidneys. However, L-carnitine supplementation is necessary when your body is deficient in the amino acid. L-carnitine deficiency is associated with various diseases. Consult your doctor about your health and L-carnitine.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a digestive condition characterized by damage to the small intestine, malabsorption of nutrients from food and intolerance to gluten, a protein in barley, rye and wheat, lip balms and certain medicines. Celiac disease is associated with a deficiency of L-carnitine. Research published in "Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases" in August 2005 reports that celiac disease and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of cardiovascular disease, are two pathological conditions each associated with malabsorption of L-carnitine. Researchers evaluated differences in blood levels of L-carnitine in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, patients with both idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and celiac disease, and healthy patients. They noted that patients in group 2 with both idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and celiac disease had lower blood concentrations of L-carnitine than the other two groups. The researchers also noted that L-carnitine levels may progressively increase when patients with both idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and celiac disease adhere to a gluten-free diet.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
L-carnitine deficiency is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by extreme fatigue without specific known cause. Despite adequate bed rest, patients do not get better and may experience more severe symptoms with physical or mental activity. Research by scientists at the University of South Australia in Adelaide and published in the "Journal of Internal Medicine" in December 2010 found that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have deficiencies of L-carnitine and enzymes that require L-carnitine.
Red Blood Cell Disease
Beta-thalassemia is a genetic disease characterized by a reduction of red blood cells and hemoglobin, the substance that contains iron and transports oxygen from your lungs to the cells throughout your body. Research by scientists at Akdeniz University School of Medicine in Antalya, Turkey and published in "Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation" in 2006 found blood levels of L-carnitine are below normal in patients with beta-thalassemia. The scientists also found that supplementation of L-carnitine increases blood levels of L-carnitine and improves blood cell deformability.
Autism
Autism is a disorder that often begins in early childhood and is characterized by abnormal communication, social interactions and repetitive behaviors. The cause of autism remains unknown. Nonetheless, autism is associated with an L-carnitine deficiency, according to scientists at the University of California in Irvine and published in the "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders" in December 2004.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Carnitine; 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; L-Carnitine; Drake, V.; April 2007
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Celiac Disease; 2008
- "Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases"; Carnitine Deficiency in Patients with Coeliac Disease and Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy; M. Curione, et al.; Aug 2005
- MayoClinic.com; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; June 19 2009
- "Journal of Internal Medicine"; Long-Chain Acylcarnitine Deficiency in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Potential Involvement of Altered Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase-I Activity; S. E. Reuter; Dec 22 2010
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