L-Carnitine

 

 

 

L-Carnitine  (CT–441)

Carnitine

A nonessential amino acid that the body can produce from within, if the necessary materials are available.  The body needs enough of the amino acids lysine and methionine, plus thiamine (Vitamin B1), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and iron to make carnitine.  Neither lysine or methionine are available in large enough amounts from vegetable sources, which makes it very important for vegetarians to get sufficient amounts.  Carnitine improves the benefits of Vitamin C and E, two powerful antioxidants.

The form most easily used by the body is called L-carnitine.  It is a vitamin-like nutrient found mainly in the brain, heart and skeletal muscles.  It plays a vital role in delivering fatty acids to mitochondria, which supply the power for the cell and, in turn, the skeletal and heart cells.  The cells are better able to utilize oxygen.  Italian researchers have discovered it improves the potency of sperm in men with fertility problems.

Possible signs of deficiency: Confusion, heart pain, muscular dystrophy, muscle weakness, obesity.

Principal benefits: Aids conversion of fat to energy in the body.  Improves cholesterol metabolism.  Can help lower blood triglyceride levels. Helps improve fat metabolism problems due to diabetes and fatty liver caused by alcohol consumption.  Beneficial for controlling hypoglycemia and diabetes. Needed for a healthy heart.  Reduces frequency of angina attacks.  Aids treatment for coronary artery disease.  Reduces surgical cardiac damage to the heart.  Helpful in treatment of kidney and liver diseases.  Increases athletes’ endurance time.  Supports the skeletal muscular system and improves poor muscle tone as well as neuromuscular problems.  Helps alleviate high cholesterol and/or triglycerides.  Aids male infertility, caused by weak sperm.  May be helpful in treating Alzheimer’s disease patients, by slowing, preventing or even reversing the disease.

Food sources: Dairy       products, meats, tempeh, soy-based products and grains fortified with lysine, such as cornmeal.

Dosage: Only take L-carnitine products, not D-carnitine, since it is more easily used by the body.  On average, take 250 mg. three times a day, at least an hour before, or two hours after, a meal.  Take up to 1,500 mg. tablets a day. There is no recommended daily intake amount for this amino acid.  Men need more than women because of their greater muscle mass.

Caution: L-Carnitine has no side effects; it is safe.  D-carnitine may have toxic side effects.  Always consult your health care provider before taking supplements for existing heart conditions.  If you take over 1 gram (1,000 mg.) a day, you may develop a fish odor. This odor does not occur very often, is not dangerous and quickly disappears as soon as the dose is reduced.  Vegetarians may become deficient in carnitine and may consider supplementation, since it is not found in vegetable proteins.

Carnitine is so crucial for human function that it should be deemed a vitamin rather than an amino acid.  While many books describe it as an amino acid, it exhibits properties more like a vitamin, meaning that it is essential to life.  In fact,  Ensminger’s nutritional encyclopedia describes it as vitamin-like.  The deficiency is common in vegetarians, because this substance is found almost exclusively in animal foods,.  It was first discovered in meat extract.

Carnitine deficiency occurs both in slender and obese individuals.  Vegetarians/vegans who suffer from distended abdomens are likely carnitine deficient.  Thus, the deficiency results in liver failure.  Neurological disorders may also result since carnitine is required for delivering fuel to the neurons, that is the cells of the brain and spinal cord.  Without carnitine the brain is incapable of processing fuel. Carnitine is also needed to transport critical fat compounds, needed by the brain for cell health.  This is why mental fatigue, memory loss, depression, agitation, hostility, and mental confusion are so common in carnitine deficiency. The deficiency also explains many of the health problems faced by vegetarians, that is pale complexion, moodiness, anger, frustration, anxiety, apathy, fatigue and exhaustion.  In fact, strict vegetarians who suffer from obvious distended abdomens are probably carntine-deficient.

CARNITINE TEST (each response is worth 1 point)

Which of these apply to you?

1.  eczema or psoriasis

2.  heart rhythm disturbances

3.  chronic fatigue

4.  gum disease

5.  muscles tear or injure easily

6.  muscle twitching and/or cramps

7.  spastic  neck muscles

8.  sluggish mental function

9.  rapid aging

10.  low HDL (good cholesterol)

11.  heart flutter and/or palpitations

12.  depression

13.  heel spurs

14.  calcium deposits in the joints

15.  chronic arthritis

16.  headaches during or prior to menses

17.  high carbohydrate diet

18.  eat mostly starches such as corn, wheat, pasta, bread, muffins,

chips, potatoes, rice, etc.

1. difficulty losing weight
2. epilepsy
3. leg cramps
4. muscle tension or tight spastic muscles
5. heart pounds uncontrollably
6. get sick form exposure to cold damp weather or cold drafts
7. poor concentration
8. memory loss
9. poor endurance
10. exhaustion after mionor exertion
11. high triglyceride
12. high cholesterol
13. slow recovery from exercise
14. dry skin
15. cholesterol deposits on the face (xanthomas)
16. rapid heartbeat without exercise (above 79 per minute)
17. muscular soreness, fatigue/exhaustion
18. muscular atrophy (loss of muscle tissue)
19. persistent abdominal distension
20. pale coloration of the face
21. chronic fatigue syndrome
22. highly intolerant to cold weather
23. gain weight rapidly/easily
24. Do you eat mostly processed or junk foods?
25. Do white flour products, such as bread, pasta, rolls, noodles/macaroni, cookies, cakes, doughnuts, buns, muffins, lasagna, spaghetti, etc., constitute a large portion of your diet?
26. Do you have a history of angina and/or coronary artery disease?
27. Have you had a heart attack recently (within the past 5 years)?
28. Is your cholesterol level above 250?
29. Have you been diagnosed with an enlarged heart or cardiomyopathy?
30. Do you  suffer from congestive heart failure?
31. Do you have a blood sugar level in excess of 200?
32. Are you currently taking anti-anxiety medications such as Prozac, Xanax, Zoloft, etc.?
33. Do you exercise vigorously on a regular basis?
34. Are you easily weakened by stress or physically intolerant of stress?
35. Is your blood pressure higher than 150/110?
36. Are you a binge drinker?
37. Do you have a history of kidney stones?
38. Have you had more than 3 kidney stones in your lifetime?
39. do you consume candy on a daily basis?
40. Are you a soda pop addict?
41. Do you eat pastries on a daily basis?
42. Do you suffer from diabetes?
43. Have you been diagnosed with ALS, multiple sclerosis, or myasthenia gravis?
44. Are you involved in competitive or combative sports?
45. Do you suffer from Alzheimer’s disease?
46. Do you suffer from Parkinson’s disease?
47. Are you morbidly obese (over 30 pounds overweight)?

_________________________________________________________________

3 or more checks = mild L Carnitine deficiency

Your Score______6 or more checks = sub-clinical L Carnitine deficiency

________________10 or more checks = severe L Carnitine deficiency________