Download - L- Carnitine
L-CARNITINE
Charisma GarciaNFSC 345
Introduction Background Purported Benefits Mechanism of Action Evidence of Benefits Conflicting Research Safety Concerns Professional Position
L-CARNITINE Essential for Energy Production Naturally Occurs in the Human Body
Synthesized in the Liver & Kidneys Derived from the amino acid, Lysine Produces 11-34mg/day (Sufficient to meet all
needs!) Dietary L-Carnitine
Red meat, dairy, fish, wheat, asparagus, avocado
Omnivorous diet: 20-200mg/day (~75% absorbed)
No proof of Dietary need exists
L-CARNITINE AS A SUPPLEMENT Liquid form,Tablets & Capsules Typical Dose: 1000-6000 mg/day
~20% absorbed by the body Generally non-toxic Intended population:
AthletesDieters
PURPORTED BENEFITS Primary Systemic Carnitine Deficiency
A recessive gene mutation Cardiovascular Disease Alzheimer’s Disease Chronic Fatigue
In the Elderly Population In Cancer Patients
Fat LossNo Evidence
EXERCISE PERFORMANCE ??
MECHANISM OF ACTION
• L-Carnitine transfers long chain FA’s into the mitochondria
• Required for Energy Production
EVIDENCE OF BENEFITS Orer & Guzel
Double-blind study examined L-Carnitine supplementation on endurance performance of professional soccer players
2 groups: 1 received 3g L-Carnitine, 1 received 4g
Exercise test: Running at 10km/hr, increasing 1 km/hr every 3 minutes
Heart rate, Lactic Acid concentrations, & perceived level of difficulty were measured
The test was performed using a placebo, 1 week later
RESULTS OF THE STUDY L-carnitine supplementation increased
the effectiveness of endurance performanceHeart rate decreasedLactic Acid Concentrations decreasedRunning speeds increasedExhaustion was prolonged (perceived level of difficulty)
CONFLICTING RESEARCH Colombani et al
Double-blind study examined the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on the performance of marathon runners
ResultsNo significant change in marathon running
timeL-Carnitine did not improve physical
performance
SAFETY CONCERNS No serious toxicity has been reported
With doses over 6000mg:NauseaVomitingDiarrhea
PROFESSIONAL POSITION L-carnitine is proven to be effective in the
treatment of many diseases, & generally safe and non-toxic if taken in doses less than 6g
Though there seems to be inconsistent evidence in it’s effectiveness of exercise performance, there is a greater possibility of benefits
REFERENCES Colombani, P. P., Wenk, C. C., Kunz, I. I., Kraehenbuehl, S. S., Kuhnt, M. M.,
Arnold, M. M., & ... Langhans, W. W. (1996). Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on physical performance and energy metabolism of endurance-trained athletes: a double-blind crossover field study. / Effets d ' un supplement de L carnitine sur la performance physique et le metabolisme energetique d ' athletes entraines - une etude de terrain en double aveugle. European Journal Of Applied Physiology & Occupational Physiology, 73(5), 434-439.
ORER, G. E., & GUZEL, N. A. (2014). THE EFFECTS OF ACUTE L-CARNITINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE OF ATHLETES. Journal Of Strength & Conditioning Research (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins), 28(2), 514-519