Carnitine

Comprehensive information on carnitine for treating alcohol-related liver disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, Peyronie's Disease and hyperthyroidism. Learn about the usage, dosage, side-effects of carnitine.

Common Forms:L-acetylcarnitine (LAC), acetyl-L-carnitine, L-proprionyl carnitine (LPC), L-carnitine fumarate, L-carnitine tartrate, L-carnitine magnesium citrate

• Overview
• Uses
• Dietary Sources
• Available Forms
• How to Take It
• Precautions
• Possible Interactions
• Supporting Research

Overview

Carnitine is a nutrient responsible for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the energy-producing centers of the cells (known as the mitochondria). In other words, carnitine helps the body convert fatty acids into energy, which is used primarily for muscular activities throughout the body. The body produces carnitine in the liver and kidneys and stores it in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain, and sperm.

Some people have dietary deficiencies of carnitine or cannot properly absorb this nutrient from foods that they eat. Carnitine deficiencies may be caused by genetic disorders, liver or kidney problems, high-fat diets, certain medications, and low dietary levels of the amino acids lysine and methionine (substances needed to make carnitine). Carnitine deficiencies may cause symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, muscle pain, weakness, low blood pressure, and/or confusion. A healthcare provider may recommend use of the supplement levocarnitine (L-carnitine) for individuals who have a suspected or confirmed deficiency of this nutrient.

---

 

---

 

---

Carnitine Uses

In addition to helping those with carnitine deficiencies, L-carnitine supplementation may benefit individuals with the following conditions:

Carnitine for Heart Disease

Studies suggest that people who take L-carnitine supplements soon after suffering a heart attack may be less likely to suffer a subsequent heart attack, die of heart disease, experience chest pain and abnormal heart rhythms, or develop congestive heart failure. (Congestive heart failure is a condition that leads to a back up of blood into the lungs and legs because the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently).

In addition, people with coronary artery disease who use L-carnitine along with standard medications may be able to sustain physical activity for longer periods of time.

Carnitine for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

In addition to reducing one's chances of developing heart failure after a heart attack, some studies suggest that carnitine may help treat CHF once it has set in. These studies have shown that carnitine may improve exercise capacity in people with CHF.

Carnitine for High Cholesterol

In several studies, people who took L-carnitine supplements had a significant lowering of their total cholesterol and triglycerides, and an increase in their HDL ("good") cholesterol levels.

Carnitine for Intermittent Claudication

Decreased blood flow to the legs from atherosclerosis (plaque build up) often causes an aching or cramping pain in the legs while walking or exercising. This pain is called intermittent claudication and the diminished blood flow to the legs is called peripheral vascular disease (PVD). At least one well-designed study suggests that carnitine supplements may improve muscle function and exercise capacity in those with PVD. In other words, people with PVD may be able to walk farther and longer if they take carnitine, particularly proprinylcarnitine.

Carnitine for Athletic Performance

Carnitine, in theory, is thought to be helpful for improving exercise performance. However, studies in healthy athletes have not yet proven this theory.

Carnitine for Weight Loss

Although L-carnitine has been marketed as a weight loss supplement, there is no scientific evidence to date to show that it improves weight loss. A recent study of moderately overweight women found that L-carnitine did not significantly alter body weight, body fat, or lean body mass. Based on the results of this one small study, claims that L-carnitine helps reduce weight are not supported at this time.

---

Carnitine for Eating Disorders

Several studies suggest that amino acid levels, including carnitine, are diminished in people with anorexia nervosa. Some experts believe that low levels of carnitine contribute to muscle weakness frequently seen in people with this eating disorder. However, one study of severely underweight women with anorexia found that carnitine supplements did not raise levels of this amino acid in the blood nor did it improve muscle weakness. If you have anorexia, your doctor will decide if you need amino acid replacement or not.

Carnitine for Alcohol-related Liver Disease

Some researchers speculate that alcohol consumption reduces the ability of carnitine to function properly in the body. This can lead to a buildup of fat in the liver. Supplementation with carnitine has been shown to prevent and reverse the damage caused by alcohol-induced fatty buildup in the liver of animals.

Carnitine for Dementia and Memory Impairment

Some studies have shown that L-acetylcarnitine (LAC), a form of L-carnitine that readily enters the brain, may delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease, relieve depression related to senility and other forms of dementia, and improve memory in the elderly. Unfortunately, however, results from other studies have been conflicting. For example, one trial suggests that this supplement may help prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease in its early stages, but it may worsen symptoms in later stages of the disease. For this reason, carnitine for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia should only be used under the direction and supervision of your physician.

Carnitine for Down's Syndrome

In a study of individuals with Down syndrome, L-acetylcarnitine (LAC) supplementation significantly improved visual memory and attention.

---

 

---

Carnitine for Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis

Given that the kidney is a major site of carnitine production, damage to this organ can cause a significant carnitine deficiency. Many patients undergoing hemodialysis also experience carnitine deficiencies. For these reasons, individuals with kidney disease (with or without the need for hemodialysis) may benefit from carnitine supplementation, if recommended by a healthcare provider.

Carnitine for Male Infertility

Low sperm counts have been linked to low carnitine levels in men. Several studies suggest that L-carnitine supplementation may increase sperm count and mobility.

Carnitine for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Some researchers speculate that chronic fatigue syndrome may be caused by deficiencies in a variety of nutrients, including carnitine. L-carnitine has been compared to a medication for fatigue in a study of 30 people with CFS. Those who took L-carnitine did much better than those who took the medication, particularly after receiving the supplement for 4 to 8 weeks.

Carnitine for Shock

Carnitine (administered intravenously in the hospital) may be helpful in treating shock from loss of blood, a sizeable heart attack, or a severe infection of the bloodstream known as sepsis. In one study, acetyl-L-carnitine helped improve the condition of 115 people with septic, cardiac, or traumatic shock.

Shock is a failure of the circulatory system and is a life-threatening medical emergency. Its key feature is inadequate blood flow to vital organs in the body. Therefore, if carnitine were used for this condition, it would, again, be administered in the hospital along with many other essential conventional therapies.

Carnitine for Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's disease is characterized by a curvature of the penis that leads to scar tissue development and pain during an erection because of blocked blood flow. A recent study compared acetyl-L-carnitine to a medication in 48 men with this unusual condition. Acetyl-L-carnitine worked better than the medication at reducing pain during intercourse and minimizing the curve of the penis. Acetyl-L-carnitine also had fewer side effects than the medication. This study is very encouraging and warrants more scientific testing.

Carnitine for Hyperthyroidism

Some research suggests that L-carnitine may prove useful for preventing or diminishing the symptoms associated with an overactive thyroid. These symptoms include insomnia, nervousness, elevated heart rate, and tremors. In fact, in one study, a small group of people with hyperthyroidism had improvement in these symptoms, as well as normalization of their body temperature, when taking carnitine.

---

Dietary Sources of Carnitine

Red meat (particularly lamb) and dairy products are the primary sources of carnitine. Carnitine can also be found in fish, poultry, tempeh (fermented soybeans), wheat, asparagus, avocados, and peanut butter. Cereals, fruits, and vegetables contain little or no carnitine.

 

---

Available Forms

Carnitine is available as a supplement in a variety of forms, but only the form L-carnitine (alone or bound to either acetic or propionic acid) is recommended.

• L-carnitine (LC): the most widely available and least expensive
• L-acetylcarnitine (LAC): this form of carnitine appears to be the one to use for Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders
• L-propionylcarnitine (LPC): this form of carnitine appears to be most effective for chest pain and related heart problems, as well as peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

D-carnitine supplements should be avoided as they interfere with the natural form of L-carnitine and may produce undesirable side effects.

Under certain medical conditions, L-carnitine is administered as a prescription from a healthcare provider or given intravenously in a hospital setting (such as in the case of shock as described in the Uses section).

 

---

How to Take Carnitine

A typical daily diet contains anywhere from 5 to 100 mg of carnitine, depending upon whether the diet is primarily plant-based or red meat-based.

---

 

---

Pediatric

If laboratory tests reveal that a child has an amino acid imbalance requiring treatment, a healthcare provider may recommend a complete amino acid supplement containing carnitine. For children on valproate for epilepsy, which can lead to a deficiency of carnitine (see Interactions section), the doctor will likely prescribe a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight per day, not to exceed 2,000 mg per day.

Adult

Recommended doses of L-carnitine supplements vary depending on the health condition being treated. The following list provides guidelines for some of the most common uses, based largely on doses used in studies for these conditions:

• Fat metabolism (conversion of fat to energy) and muscular performance: 1,000 to 2,000 mg usually divided into two doses
• Heart disease: 600 to 1,200 mg three times daily, or 750 mg twice daily
• Alcohol-related carnitine deficiency: 300 mg three times daily
• Male infertility: 300 to 1,000 mg three times daily
• Chronic fatigue syndrome: 500 to 1,000 mg three to four times per day
• Overactive thyroid: 2,000 to 4,000 mg per day in two to four divided doses

 

---

Precautions

Because supplements may have side effects or interact with medications, they should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

Although L-carnitine does not appear to cause significant side effects, high doses (5 or more grams per day) may cause diarrhea. Other rare side effects include increased appetite, body odor, and rash.

D-carnitine supplements should be avoided as they interfere with the natural form of L-carnitine and may produce undesirable side effects.

Individuals taking L-carnitine as a sports supplement to improve fat metabolism and muscular performance should stop using it at least for one week each month.

---

Possible Interactions

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use carnitine without first talking to your healthcare provider.

AZT

In a laboratory study, L-carnitine supplements protected muscle tissue against toxic side effects from treatment with AZT, a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Additional studies are needed to confirm whether L-carnitine would also have this effect in people.

Doxorubicin

Treatment with L-carnitine may protect heart cells against the toxic side effects of doxorubicin, a medication used to treat cancer, without reducing the effectiveness of this chemotherapy agent.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin, a strong medication used for severe acne, can cause abnormalities in liver function, measured by a blood test, as well as elevations in cholesterol and muscle pain and weakness. These symptoms are similar to those seen with carnitine deficiency. Researchers in Greece showed that a large group of people who had side effects from isotretinoin got better when taking L-carnitine compared to those who took a placebo.

Valproic Acid

The anticonvulsant medication valproic acid may lower blood levels of carnitine and can cause carnitine deficiency. Taking L-carnitine supplements may prevent deficiency and may also reduce the side effects of valproic acid.

---

 

---

Supporting Research

Arsenian, MA. Carnitine and its derivatives in cardiovascular disease. Progr Cardiovasc Dis. 1997;40:3:265-286.

Benvenga S, Ruggieri RM, Russo A, Lapa D, Campenni A, Trimarchi F. Usefulness of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action, in iatrogenic hyperthyroidism: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(8):3579-3594.

Biagiotti G, Cavallini G. Acetyl-L-carnitine vs tamoxifen in the oral therapy of Peyronie's disease: a preliminary report. BJU Int. 2001;88(1):63-67.

Brass EP, Hiatt WR. The role of carnitine and carnitine supplementation during exercise in man and in individuals with special needs. J Am Coll Nutr. 1998;17:207-215.

Bowman B. Acetyl-carnitine and Alzheimer's disease. Nutr Reviews. 1992;50:142-144.

Carta A, Calvani M, Bravi D. Acetyl-L-carnitine and Alzheimer's disease. Pharmacologic considerations beyond the cholinergic sphere. Ann NY Acad Sci. 1993;695:324-326.

Chung S, Cho J, Hyun T, et al. Alterations in the carnitine metabolism in epileptic children treated with valproic acid. J Korean Med Soc. 1997;12:553-558.

Corbucci GG, Loche F. L-carnitine in cardiogenic shock therapy: pharmacodynamic aspects and clinical data. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1993;13(2):87-91.

Costa M, Canale D, Filicori M. L-carnitine in idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a multicenter study. Andrologia. 1994;26:155-159.

De Falco FA, D'Angelo E, Grimaldi G. Effect of the chronic treatment with L-acetylcarnitine in Down's syndrome. Clin Ter. 1994;144:123-127.

De Vivo DC, Bohan TP, Coulter DL, et al. L-Carnitine supplementation in childhood epilepsy: current perspectives. Epilepsia. 1998;39:1216-1225.

Dyck DJ. Dietary fat intake, supplements, and weight loss. Can J Appl Physiol. 2000;25(6):495-523.

Elisaf M, Bairaaktari E, Katopodis K, et al. Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid parameters in hemodialysis patients. Am J Nephrol. 1998;18:416-421.

Fugh-Berman A. Herbs and dietary supplements in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Prev Cardiology. 2000;3:24-32.

Gasparetto A, Corbucci GG, De Blasi RA, et al. Influence of acetyl-L-carnitine infusion on haemodynamic parameters and survival of circulatory-shock patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1991;11(2):83-92.

Georgala S, Schulpis KH, Georgala C, Michas T. L-carnitine supplementation in patients with cystic acne on isotretinoin therapy. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 1999;13(3):205-209.

Hiatt WR, Regensteiner JG, Creager MA, Hirsch AT, Cooke JP, Olin JW, et al. Propionyl-L-carnitine improves exercise performance and functional status in patients with claudication. Am J Med. 2001;110(8):616-622.

Iliceto S, Scrutinio D, Bruzzi P, et al. Effects of L-carnitine administration on left ventricular remodeling after acute anterior myocardial infarction: the L-carnitine Ecocardiografia Digitalizzata Infarto Miocardico (CEDIM) trial. JACC. 1995;26(2):380-387.

Kelly GS. L-Carnitine: therapeutic applications of a conditionally-essential amino acid. Alt Med Rev. 1998;3:345-60.

Kendler BS. Recent nutritional approaches to the prevention and therapy of cardiovasular disease. Prog Cardiovasc Nurs. 1997;12(3):3-23.

Loster H, Miehe K, Punzel M, Stiller O, Pankau H, Schauer J. Prolonged oral L-carnitine substitution increases bicycle ergometer performance in patients with severe, ischemically induced cardiac insufficiency. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1999;13:537-546.

Morton J, McLaughlin DM, Whiting S, Russell GF. Carnitine levels in patients with skeletal myopathy due to anorexia nervosa before and after refeeding. Int J Eat Disord. 1999;26(3):341-344.

Moyano D, Vilaseca MA, Artuch R, Lambruschini N. Plasma amino acids in anorexia nervosa. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998;52(9):684-689.

Ott BR, Owens NJ. Complementary and alternative medicines for Alzheimer's disease. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 1998;11:163-173.

Pettegrew JW, Levine J, McClure RJ. Acetyl-L-carnitine physical-chemical, metabolic, and therapeutic properties: relevance for its mode of action in Alzheimer's disease and geriatric depression. Mol Psychiatry. 2000;5:616-632.

Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Vol 1. 2nd ed. Churchill Livingstone; 1999:462-466.

Newstrom H: Nutrients Catalog. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., Inc.; 1993:103-105.

Plioplys AV, Plioplys S. Amantadine and L-carnitine treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Neuropsychobiology. 1997;35(1):16-23.

Sachan DA, Rhew TH. Lipotropic effect of carnitine on alcohol-induced hepatic stenosis. Nutr Rep Int. 1983;27:1221-1226.

Sachan DS, Rhew TH, Ruark RA. Ameliorating effects of carnitine and its precursors on alcohol-induced fatty liver. Am J Clin Nutr. 1984;39:738-744.

Shils ME, Olson JA, Shike M, Ross AC. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 9th ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1999: 90-92; 1377-1378.

Sinclair S. Male infertility: nutritional and environmental considerations. Alt Med Rev. 2000;5(1):28-38.

Singh RB, Niaz MA, Agarwal P, Beegum R, Rastogi SS, Sachan DS. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of L-carnitine in suspected acute myocardial infaction. Postgrad Med. 1996;72:45-50.

Sum CF, Winocour PH, Agius L, et al. Does oral L-carnitine alter plasma triglyceride levels in hypertriglyceridemic subjects with or without non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Nutr Metab Clin Exp. 1992;5:175-181.

Thal LJ, Carta A, Clarke WR, et al. A 1-year multicenter placebo-controlled study of acetyl-L-carnitine in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Neurology. 1996;47:705-711.

Van Wouwe JP. Carnitine deficiency during valproic acid treatment. Int J Vit Nutr Res. 1995;65:211-214.

Villani RG, Gannon J, Self M, Rich PA. L-carnitine supplementation combined with aerobic training does not promote weight loss in moderately obese women. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000;10:199-207.

Vitali G, Parente R, Melotti C. Carnitine supplementation in human idiopathic asthenospermia: clinical results. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1995;21(4):157-159.

Werbach MR. Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(2):93-108.

Winter BK, Fiskum G, Gallo LL. Effects of L-carnitine on serum triglyceride and cytokine levels in rat models of cachexia and septic shock. Br J Cancer. 1995;72(5):1173-1179.

Witt KK, Clark AL, Cleland JG. Chronic heart failure and micronutrients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;37(7):1765-1774.