L-Carnitine

Other Names: 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium inner salt, (3-carboxy2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium hydroxide inner salt, 3-hydroxy-4-N-trimethylaminobutyrate, B-hydroxy-N-trimethyl aminobutyric acid, Beta-hydroxy-gamma-trimethylammonium butyrate, B(t) Factor, Carnitine, Carnitor, D-Carnitine, DL-Carnitine, Facteur B(t), L-3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylammonium)-butyrate, Levocarnitine, Lévocarnitine, Levocarnitine Fumurate, L-Carnitina, L-Carnitine Fumarate, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, L-Carnitine Tartrate, (R)-(3-carboxy-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium hydroxide, (R)-3-hydroxy-4-trimethylammonio-butyrate, Vitacarn, Vitamin B(t), Vitamine B(t).
L-carnitine is a non-essential amino acid that is made by the kidney and the liver and is derived from the amino acids methionine and lysine. Carnitine plays an important role in transporting long-chained fatty acid across the mitochondrial membranes in cell in order to produce energy. Recent research has determined that carnitine may play a role in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as improving cardiac performance.

Special Precautions of L-Carnitine

• Experts caution people not to take L-carnitine supplements if they have certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor before taking L-carnitine if you have:
  • Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease or if drinking alcohol has damaged your liver
  • Diabetes
  • Seizures or a history of seizures
• High doses of L-carnitine — that is, 5 grams (g) or more — may cause diarrhea.
• Rare Side Effects of L-carnitine are :
  • Decrease thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
  • Rash
  • Body odor
  • Hunger
• Recent studies suggest that high concentrations of L-carnitine may damage the heart.
• Pregnancy : Whether or not L-carnitine affects a developing baby or passes into breast milk isn't known. Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• You should avoid or limit drinking while taking L-carnitine.
• Interactions : Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take L-carnitine if you're already taking any of these medications:
  • Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)
  • Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
  • Isotretinoin (Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, Sortret, Zenatane)
  • Thyroid hormone replacement drugs, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl) or **liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat)
  • Valproic acid or divalproex (Depakote, Depakene, Depacon, Stavzor)
  • Warfarin (Coumadin,Jantoven)

The benefits of L-Carnitine are

Symptoms of a carnitine deficiency include muscle weakness, stiffness, or soreness, impaired glucose control, high cholesterol and dark reddish-brown urine. These symptoms could be the symptoms of antoher disorder, so you should consult your health care practitioner if you experience any of these symptoms.

• Treating and preventing L-carnitine deficiency : L-carnitine supplements are used to increase L-carnitine levels in people whose natural level of L-carnitine is too low because they have a genetic disorder, are taking certain drugs (valproic acid for seizures), or because they are undergoing a medical procedure (hemodialysis for kidney disease) that uses up the body’s L-carnitine. It is also used as a replacement supplement in strict vegetarians, dieters, and low-weight or premature infants.
• Increasing red blood cell count in people with serious kidney disease. The FDA has approved L-carnitine for this use.
• L-carnitine was once promoted as a supplement to support heart health, especially for people who have angina or heart failure or have had a heart attack. However, recent studies suggest that high concentrations of L-carnitine may actually damage the heart.
• L-carnitine is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including heart-related chest pain, congestive heart failure (CHF), heart complications of a disease called diphtheria, heart attack, leg pain caused by circulation problems (intermittent claudication), and high cholesterol.
• Some people use L-carnitine for muscle disorders associated with certain AIDS medications, difficulty fathering a child (male infertility), a brain development disorder called Rett syndrome, anorexia, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, overactive thyroid, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), leg ulcers, Lyme disease, and to improve athletic performance and endurance.
• Many people take L-carnitine supplements for its alleged antioxidant activity. There are claims that it neutralizes free radicals that damage DNA, the genetic material in your cells.