L-Carnitine

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

• Heart disease risk : L-carnitine, which is found in red meat and is also popular as a dietary supplement, may play a role in the development of heart disease.
• Under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism): Taking L-carnitine might make symptoms of hypothyroidism worse.
• Seizures: L-carnitine seems to make seizures more likely in people who have had seizures before. If you have had a seizure, don’t use L-carnitine.
• Individuals who are taking valproic acid or zidovudine, since these drugs can deplete carnitine from the body. ·
• Individuals with liver disease should consult their health care practitioner or pharmacist before taking L-carnitine. ·
• If you have an underlying condition, or on other medications, be sure to consult with a pharmacist or your health care practitioner before you begin to take arginine.
• Acenocoumarol (Sintrom) interacts with L-CARNITINE
• Thyroid hormone interacts with L-CARNITINE
• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with L-CARNITINE

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 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.