Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose, or sugar, to move from the blood into your cells to give them energy. People with diabetes either do not use insulin well or cannot produce enough insulin, or both. Acetyl-L-carnitine alone or in combination with other medications may help treat your symptoms of diabetes. Before you take supplements, talk to your health care provider.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
According to the office of dietary supplements, diabetes may be associated with a defect in fatty acid oxidation in muscle. In your body, the amino acid acetyl-L-carnitine may help convert undigested fat into energy. It may also help protect tissue from free radicals, which are damaging compounds in your body.
Cardiovascular Risk
People with diabetes are at a higher than average risk for cardiovascular disease. A study published in November 2010 in the "European Journal of Clinical Investigation" found that acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation may help protect your heart and arteries from the ravages of diabetes. According to the researchers, the intake of acetyl-L-carnitine at a dosage of 50 mg per kg body weight for eight weeks may help prevent stiffening of your arteries and enlargement of your heart, which is damage that can be caused by high blood sugar.
Diabetes Neuropathy
High blood sugar levels in your body may damage nerves that allow you to feel sensations such as pain. A study published in January 2005 issue of "Diabetes Care" found that acetyl-L-carnitine treatment is efficacious in alleviating symptoms, particularly pain, in patients with established diabetic neuropathy. According to the study's researchers, acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation may also help regenerate your nerve fibers. The experiment involved 1,257 volunteers who participated in two 52-week randomized placebo-controlled clinical diabetic neuropathy trials of 500 or 1,000 mg acetyl-L-carnitine three times per day.
Side Effects
The intake of 500 to 1,000 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine supplements is generally considered safe for adults. However, higher than recommended dosage may cause side effects such as increased appetite, vomiting, agitation, and body odor. Speak to your doctor before supplementing with acetyl-L-carnitine.
References
- MedlinePlus: Diabetes
- Office of Dietary Supplemenst: Carnitine
- "European Journal of Clinical Investigation"; Effects of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Oxfenicine on Aorta Stiffness in Diabetic Rats; K. Chang et al.; November 2010
- American Diabetes Association: Heart Disease
- "Diabetes Care"; Acetyl-L-carnitine Improves Pain, Nerve Regeneration, and Vibratory Perception in Patients with Chronic Diabetic Neuropathy: An Analysis of Two Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials; A. Sima et al.; January 2005
- The University of Michigan Health System: Acetyl-L-Carnitine
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