Parkinson's disease is a part of a group of conditions known as motor systems disorders. While there's no known cure for Parkinson's disease, a number of treatments can significantly improve the symptoms of this debilitating condition. Some research has shown that l-carnitine supplementation may provide substantial benefits. Consult your doctor before using l-carnitine supplements.
About L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is a nutrient manufactured by your body from the amino acids known as lysine and methionine. It is also present in a limited number of food sources, including red meat, fish and dairy products. L-carnitine assists in energy metabolism and helps to fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress may play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease, according to a 2003 article in "Annals of Neurology," the official journal of the American Neurological Association and the Child Neurology Society. A limited number of studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of l-carnitine on certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's Disease and Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is the term used to refer to damage caused by free radicals, which are present in environmental pollutants but also created by your body during the normal course of metabolism. When the body's ability to fight free radicals is compromised, certain diseases can occur. Parkinson's disease is believed to occur in part due to oxidative stress, involved in both the causation and the development of the course of the disease. An article in the December 2008 issue of the international peer-reviewed scientific journal, "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences," states that Parkinson's is partially caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons due to oxidative stress. Dopaminergic neurons are neurons whose primary transmitter is dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps in smooth muscle movements. A deficiency in dopamine synthesis can cause Parkinson's disease. Antioxidant compounds like l-carnitine are thought to counteract oxidative stress and may provide certain benefits to patients with Parkinson's. However, many of the clinical studies confirming these benefits have been performed only in animal models.
Clinical Evidence
A study in the January 2007 issue of the journal "Neuroscience" indicated that l-carnitine has a potential neural protective effect in laboratory rats exposed to oxidative stress, suggesting that it may also have a therapeutic effect on patients with Parkinson's disease. Another study, published in the January-February 2010 issue of "Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine," showed that acetyl l-carnitine, a form of l-carnitine, combined with R-α-lipoic acid, had protective effects in a cell model and may have brain-protective effects for patients with Parkinson's disease. Clearly, more clinical studies on human subjects are warranted before the benefits of l-carnitine for Parkinson's disease can be fully determined.
Considerations
While l-carnitine may provide some benefits for Parkinson's disease, you should never use dietary supplements as a replacement for any prescribed medications or as a substitute for your doctor's advice. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, carnitine supplements appear to be well tolerated but may cause mild yet unpleasant side effects. As with any dietary supplement, consult your doctor before using l-carnitine.
References
- "Annals of Neurology"; Oxidative Stress in Parkinson's Disease; P. Jenner; 2003
- "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences"; Oxidative Stress in Parkinson's Disease: A Mechanism of Pathogenic and Therapeutic Significance; C. Zhou et al.; December 2008
- "Neuroscience"; L-Carnitine Protects Neurons From 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis in Rat Forebrain Culture; C. Wang et al.; January 2007
- "Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine"; Combined R-α-Lipoic Acid and Acetyl-L-Carnitine Exerts Efficient Preventative Effects in a Cellular Model of Parkinson's Disease; H. Zhang et al.; January-February 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: L-Carnitine
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