L-carnitine, or carnitine, facilitates fat metabolism, transforming the greasy substance into energy. Your liver and kidneys produce carnitine and what is not immediately used gets stored. You have supplies of carnitine in your heart, brain and in the muscles surrounding your bones. Men also store carnitine in their sperm. This nutrient is available in supplement form to treat certain conditions. Do not take it without your doctor's prescription to prevent the consequences of an overdose.
L-carnitine Intake
Carnitine is not considered an essential nutrient because you do not have to obtain it from your diet. Although certain foods provide carnitine, your body produces its own supply. The University of Maryland Medical Center, however, lists different dosages for carnitine for when you use the supplement to treat certain health conditions. To prevent an overdose, limit your intake to no more than 3 g in one day. Although excessive carnitine does not cause toxicity, it induces side effects.
L-carnitine Therapeutic Dosages
Take L-carnitine to treat or prevent a medical condition only if your doctor prescribes it. The dosages that the University of Maryland Medical Center posts on its website are general guidelines for adults only. Some of them are presented as ranges. Get exact amounts from your doctor. The serving of L-carnitine for angina and heart failure ranges from 1.5 to 2 g daily. Your physician may recommend 600 mg to 1.2 g three times daily for heart disease. Two to 4 g of carnitine may help control peripheral vascular disease. You may also get relief from diabetes-related neuropathy by taking 3 g of this nutrient every day. Male infertility might be corrected with 300 mg to 1 g of the substance three times daily. If you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, your doctor may prescribe 500 mg to 1 g of L-carnitine four times daily. Besides, you may be able to slow an overactive thyroid gland with 2 to 4 g of carnitine daily.
L-carnitine Overdose Effects
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, at around 3 g of carnitine daily you may experience gastric problems such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Your body may also develop a smell reminiscent of fish. Further, muscle weakness may occur if your blood has an elevated concentration of urea. A high dose of L-carnitine can also induce seizures if you suffer from a seizure disorder.
Types of L-carnitine Supplements
L-carnitine is available over the counter and as a prescription drug. Prescription injections and pills treat deficiencies of carnitine. Acety-L-carnitine is an over-the-counter supplement that contains carnitine and acetyl, which your body uses to produce neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that the nerve cells need to transmit information between the brain and the rest of your body. Another supplement form of carnitine, propionyl-L-carnitine is not for sale in the United States.
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