Triglycerides are a type fat in your tissues and bloodstream. High triglyceride levels contribute to narrowing and hardening of your arteries, which can adversely effect your cardiac health, increasing your risk for cardiac events such as heart attack. Carnitine, a nutrient, may help lower your triglyceride levels. As with all supplements, consult your doctor before taking carnitine.
About Triglycerides
Your body converts excess calories to triglycerides for later fuel use, releasing triglycerides between meals to help maintain your energy levels, so dietary factors play a role in your triglyceride levels. Consuming excess calories on a regular basis contributes to high triglycerides. Normal triglyceride levels are below 150 mg/dL. Levels between 150 and 199 mg/dL are considered borderline high. Levels between 200 and 499 mg/dL are high, and levels at 500 mg/dL or above are very high.
About Carnitine
Your liver and kidneys produce carnitine, a nutrient that helps turn fat into fuel. Carnitine acts as a vehicle to transport fatty acids to energy cell centers known as mitochondria. Mitochondria produce power for your body. Your body generally makes enough carnitine to meet its needs, but liver and kidney conditions, as well as genetic abnormalities in carnitine transport, can cause carnitine deficiency. Red meat and dairy are rich in carnitine. Fish, poultry and avocados are additional sources.
Effect on Triglycerides
Carnitine's role in transporting fatty acids for energy use appears to help lower triglyceride levels. According to a study published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," carnitine supplementation reduces triglyceride levels in diabetic patients. The study, conducted by the Department of Senescence, Urological and Neurological Sciences at the University of Catania in Italy, found that carnitine also lowers low-density lipoprotein, which is the bad form of cholesterol. The study participants took 2 g of carnitine daily for three months.
Precautions
Carnitine is available as a dietary supplement, with a typical dosage at 1 to 3 g daily. All supplements have the capacity to cause side effects and interact with your medications. Carnitine side effect are rare, generally mild and include increased appetite and body odor. Doses higher than those typically taken can cause diarrhea. Carnitine may interact with AIDS medications, anticonvulsant medications and the acne drug accutane. Take carnitine only after speaking to your doctor.
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