Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar. In type 1 diabetes, your pancreas is unable to produce insulin, the hormone that carries sugar from your blood to your cells. In type 2 diabetes, your cells become resistant to insulin, causing sugar to remain in the bloodstream. Carnitine plays a vital role metabolizing fat into energy. It may also reduce the complications associated with high blood sugar levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consult your doctor concerning diabetes and carnitine.
Type 1 Diabetes
Cardiovascular complications are common in people with type 1 diabetes. A carnitine deficiency can increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. Research conducted by scientists at the University of Crete in Greece and published in the "Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications" in Sep-Oct 2004 noted that individuals with type 1 diabetes have significantly lower blood levels of total and free carnitine than individuals without diabetes. The scientists concluded that the decreased level of carnitine is time related and may have potential interactions with the long-term complications of type 1 diabetes. Larger studies are needed for final conclusions to indicate the precise role of carnitine and the possible benefit of carnitine supplementation in diabetic patients
Neuropathy
Nerve damage called neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. Carnitine treatment can prevent or slow down the progression of neuropathy in diabetics. Research by scientists at Istanbul University in Turkey and published in "Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology" in Sep-Oct 2005 indicates that carnitine treatment in children with type 1 diabetes improves nerve conduction. The scientists conclude that starting carnitine therapy in early stages of disease may be effective in treating subclinical neuropathy.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is associated with an accumulation of fatty acyl Coenzyme A/metabolites in muscle that inhibits insulin signaling and glucose oxidation. A research article published in "Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews" in September 2009 reports that carnitine is effective at improving sugar metabolism and reversing abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes. The scientists note that increasing carnitine supply through supplementation can reduce the accumulation of acyl Coenenzyme A/metabolites and improve sugar metabolism. However, controlled clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy of dietary carnitine supplementation as an adjunctive treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Increased blood sugar levels can damage the arteries and increase risk of cardiovascular complications. A study by scientists at the University of Catania in Italy and published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in January 2009 reports that high levels of blood sugar in type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with high levels of oxidation of LDL, or "bad," cholesterol. The results of the study demonstrate that L-carnitine supplementation reduces oxidized LDL cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Carnitine; 2010
- American Diabetes Association; Complications; 2010
- "Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications"; Carnitine Deficiency in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes; Dimitrios Mamoulakis, et al.; Sep-Oct 2004
- "Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology"; Peripheric and Automatic Neuropathy in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: The Effect of L-Carnitine Treatment on the Peripheral and Autonomic Nervous System; Nurtun Uzun, et al.; Sep-Oct 2005
- "Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews"; Carnitine and Type 2 Diabetes; Randall Mynatt; Sep 2009
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; L-Carnitine Supplementation Reduces Oxidized LDL Cholesterol in Patients with Diabetes; Mariano Malaguarnera, et al.; Jan 2009
