L-CARNITINE

Charisma Garcia

NFSC 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 & KidneysDerived from the amino acid, LysineProduces 11-34mg/day (Sufficient to meet all

needs!)

Dietary L-CarnitineRed meat, dairy, fish, wheat, asparagus,

avocadoOmnivorous 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