The primary function of L-carnitine is the transport of fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol and fat soluble nutrients into the mitochondria where they are oxidized to produce energy in the form of ATP.^(11,24) Also referred to as vitamin Bt, L-carnitine is essential for normal mitochondrial function in all cells. As a carrier of fats and the fat soluble antioxidant nutrients, L-carnitine is essential to cardiovascular health and may be beneficial in cases of hypoglycemia, obesity, weight loss programs and is important in preventing production of destructive free radicals.

In the absence of adequate L-carnitine, fatty acids cannot gain entry into the mitochondria for energy production. This deficiency can cause:

• Weakness and fatigue.⁽²⁴⁾

• Accelerated glycolysis which causes hypoglycemia.^(12,13)

• Elevated triglycerides in the bloodstream, heart and liver.^(14,15,24)

• Cardiac irregularity.⁽²⁴⁾

• Slowing of gastrointestinal motility which may lead to anorexia, nausea and constipation.⁽²⁴⁾

In many cases these problems can be corrected through L-carnitine supplementation. Other research indicates that supplemental L-carnitine may be beneficial in enhancing immune function,⁽⁹⁾ reversing alcohol-induced liver damage⁽²⁾ and in some cases of male infertility.⁽¹⁰⁾

Although L-carnitine is produced in the liver and kidneys from the amino acids lysine and methionine, there are instances when the body's supply of L-carnitine may become deficient and supplementation would be indicated. These conditions include: 

• Genetic defects in absorption, excretion and transport of L-carnitine.^{(14,15,16,24)}

• Diets low in L-carnitine (found in meat, fish and poultry) or dietary deficiency of the amino acids lysine and methionine.^(17,24)

• Dietary deficiency of vitamin C required for L-carnitine synthesis or increased need for vitamin C, as seen in cancer patients.^(18,24)

• Elevated triglycerides.

• Heart problems.^(19,20)

• Kidney failure.⁽²¹⁾

• Possibly some types of obesity.⁽²²⁾

L-carnitine is essential to healthy cardiovascular function. Myocardial carnitine deficiency has been associated with chronic heart failure and acute myocardial infarction.^(19,20)

In the absence of adequate L-carnitine, the body is unable to transport cholesterol and triglycerides for metabolism. The results is a significant rise in the serum levels of these two substances as well as accumulation of triglycerides in the bloodstream, heart and liver.^(14,15,24)

Research has also shown L-carnitine to raise blood levels of protective HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) which aids in the removal of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol.^(1,2,3,4)

In animal studies, L-carnitine has been shown to stimulate brown fat thermogenesis. Low levels of brown fat thermogenesis have been associated with obesity.⁽⁷⁾  L-carnitine has also been shown to spare glucose and accelerate fat metabolism which may also be beneficial in weight control as well as in suppressing hypoglycemia.^(2,8)

During weight loss programs as the body is eliminating stored fat, dangerously high levels of these fats may accumulate. The body generally does not produce enough L-carnitine to transport these fats into the mitochondria for breakdown. When dieting, consumption of meats which supply L-carnitine may also be restricted. Therefore, supplemental L-carnitine may be needed.

Since most free radicals are generated in the mitochondria and the important anti-oxidant nutrients Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Beta Carotene are fat soluble, they require L-carnitine as a trans-mitochondrial carrier to prevent oxidation and free radical production.

Free radicals are high-energy chemical substances with one unpaired electron that react in an indiscriminate fashion with sites of high electron density, such as the double bonds in polyunsaturated fatty acids, the unsaturated rings in nucleic acids which make up DNA and RNA, and electron dense regions of proteins. Free radical reactions in mammalian systems have been intimated to be responsible for such diverse physiological processes as inflammation, aging, drug-induced damage, alterations in immunity, cancer and potentially leading to cardiovascular disease.⁽²³⁾

WARNING:. This publication and the product contained herein have not been approved or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This publication, and the product contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The product relates to nutritional support only.

1. Bertoli, M., Et. Al., Carnitine Deficiency Induced During Hemodialysis And Hyperlipidemia:  Effect of Replacement Therapy.  Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 34:  1496, 1981.

2. Maebashi, M., et. al., Lipid-lowering Effect of Carnitine in Patientw with Type-IV Hyperlipoproteinemia.  Lancet, Oct. 14, 1978, p. 805.

3. Vacha, G.M., et. al., Favorable Effects of L-Carnitine Treatment on Hypertriglyceridemia in Hemodialysis Patients: Decisive Role of Low Levels of High-density Lipoprotein-cholesterol.  Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 38:  532, 1983.

4. Rossi, C. and Siliprandi, N., Effect of Carnitine on Serum HDL-cholesterol:  Report of Two Cases. J. Hopkins Med. J., 150:51, 1982.

5. Thomsen, J., et.al., Improved Pacing Tolerance of the Ischemic Human Myocardium after Administration of Carnitine. Am. J. Cardiol. 43:300, 1979.

6. Kobayashi, A., et al., Effects of L-Carnitine on Ventricular Arrhythmias after Coronary Reperfusion. Jap. Circ. J.,47:536, 1983.

7. McCarty, M.F., Orthomolecular Aids for Dieting. Med. Hypotheses *:269, 1982.

8. Hahn, P. and Skala, J. The Role of Carnitine in Brown Adipose Tissue of Suckling Rats. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 51B:507, 1975.

9. DeSimone, C., et al., Reversibility by L-Carnitine of Immunosuppression Induced by and Emulsion of Soya Bean Oil, Glycerol and Egg Lecithin. Arzneim.-Forsch/Drug Res. 32 (II):1486, 1982.

10. Inskeep, P.B. and Hammerstedt, R.H., Changes in Metabolism of Ram Sperm Associated with Epididymal Transit or Induced by Exogenous Carnitine. Biol. Repro. 27:735, 1982.

11. Broquist, H., Carnitine Biosynthesis and Function.  Fed. Proc. 41:2840, 1982.

12. Opie, L.H., Role of Carnitine in Fatty Acid Metabolism of Normal and Ischemic Myocardium. Am. Heart J., 97(3): 375, 1979.

13. Slonim, Alfred E., et al., Nonketotic Hypoglycemia:  An Early Indication of Systemic Carnitine Deficiency. Neurology (NY) 33:29, 1983.

14. Chapoy, Paul R., et. al., Systemic Carnitine Deficiency - A Treatable Inherited Lipid-storage Disease Presenting as Reye's Syndrome. N. Eng. J. Med. 303:1389, 1980.

15. Waber, L.J., et. al., Carnitine Deficiency Presenting as Familial Cardiomyopathy:  A Treatable Defect in Carnitine Transport.  J. Pediatr.  101:700.

16. Allen, R.J., et. al., Hypocarnitinaemia in Disorders of Organic Acid Metabolism.  Lancet, August 19, 1982, p. 500.

17. Khan, L. and Bamji, M., Tissue Carnitine Deficiency Due to Dietary Lysine Deficiency:  Triglyceride Accumulation and Concomitant Impairment in Fatty Acid Oxidation.  J. Nutr. 109:24, 1979.

18. Hughes, R.E., et. al., Dietary Ascorbic Acid and Muscle Carnitine in Guinea Pigs. J. Nutr. 43:385, 1980.

19. Suzuki, Y., et. al., Myocardial Carnitine Deficidncy in Chronic Heart Failure. Lancet, June 9, 1982, p. 116.

20. Spagnoli, L., et. al., Myocardial Carnitine Deficiency in Acute Myocardial Infarction. Lancet, June 19, 1983, p. 1419.

21. Chan, M.K., et. al., Carnitine in Haemodialysis Patients. Lancet, November 8, 1980, p. 1028.

22. Benke, P.J. and S. Asmann, Decreased Carnitine Uptake in Cultured Cells from Women with Endogenous Obesity. Horm. Metabol. Res. 15:458, 1983.

23. Bland, Jeffrey,  Antioxidante in Nutritional Medicine:  Tocopherol, Selenium and Glutathione. 1985-85 Yearbook of Nutritional Medicine, Keats Pub. Co., Ct. 1985. pp. 213-237.

24. Cameron, Ewan, Vitamin C, Carnitine and Cancer or "My God, I Feel So Much Better, Doctor!", 1986:  A Year in Nutritional Medicine.  pp. 115-123, Keats Publishing, Inc. New Canaan, Connecticut. 1987.

Product No. 992 Size: 90 capsules

EACH CAPSULE CONTAINS:

L-Carnitine 100 mg.

This hypoallergenic, free form amino acid is produced by a special process which yields only the pure amino acid with no allergy causing food residues.

RECOMMENDED USAGE: One capsule daily or more, taken on an empty stomach.