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| L-Carnitine improves sports performance, improves cognition (mental capacity) and reduces depression. L-Carnitine is often used to lose fat, but evidence does not support this indication. |
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) can cross the blood-brain barrier and is therefore mainly active in the brain. Acetyl-L-carnitine is related to the amino acid L-carnitine, but with a higher bioavailability than L-carnitine. Carnitine is essential for the production of energy in cells, has a pronounced protective effect on the nervous system and has a vasodilatory effect.
Operation of carnitine
L-carnitine is an amino acid that is made in the liver and kidneys from L-lysine and L-methionine. The name carnitine is derived from the Latin word carne, which means meat; most of the carnitine we get through the diet is from eating meat. People who have a vegetarian lifestyle and older people are at higher risk of carnitine deficiency and are usually dependent on supplements. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) has the advantage over L-carnitine that it can very easily pass the blood-brain barrier. L-carnitine plays an important role in brain metabolism and protects against aging due to its strong antioxidant action in nerve tissues, helps the body produce energy, is important for heart and brain functions, muscle movements and many other body processes.What are the health benefits of carnitine
Carnitine ensures that fats can be absorbed into the mitochondria (responsible for the energy supply) so that energy can become available. Due to the fat-burning properties of carnitine, the metabolism can speed up and thus reduce weight. Carnitine is the only substance that can carry long-chain fatty acids over the inner mitochondrion membrane into the mitochondria, where they are burned (undergo beta-oxidation). This is particularly important in organs such as the heart, which are highly dependent on beta-oxidation and fat burning for their energy supply. Can help with obesity.Carnitine supports male fertility. Carnitine is very important for sperm quality (sperm is largely dependent on fat burning).
Carnitine improves the energy levels of the brain cells, increases the level of the substance acetylcholine, which is important for good mood, memory function and a beneficial effect on the structure and function of the cell membrane. Membrane function disturbances play a role in depression. Carnitine lowers cortisol levels and improves depression in the elderly spectacularly in many cases. A shortage of acetylcholine can lead to fatigue, lethargy, hypoglycemia, infertility and Alzheimer's disease.
Thyroid hormones play an essential role in the carnitine-dependent transport of free fatty acids in the mitochondria. Carnitine can reduce fatigue in persons with a slow-acting thyroid gland.
Carnitine appears to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack. Especially the risk of cardiac dysrhythmia is greatly reduced. Carnitine has been shown to have positive effects in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases including heart failure. However, carnitine also has beneficial effects on mortality and morbidity after a heart attack.
Carnitine appears to stimulate the growth and repair of nerve cells, combined with alpha lipoic acid the effect is even stronger. Carnitine also reduces the breakdown of the locomotor nerves.
Shortage of carnitine in the brain can be a cause of autism. For example, it appears that a defect in the TMLHE gene means that the body is unable to produce carnitine. This gender defect is found more in men and may explain why boys are more likely to have autism than girls. The hypothesis has yet to be explored in detail, but it is possible that enriching baby food with L-carnitine may reduce the risk of some form of autism.
Carnitine can restore the formation of an important growth factor of nerves in old brain tissue and in time stimulate the growth and development of new nerve tissues. Several studies have shown the efficacy of carnitine in improving learning ability.
Carnitine restores and builds muscles faster, reduces muscle fatigue, supports oxygen uptake in heavy physical work and sports. It inhibits the formation and promotes the removal of lactic acid and has an anti-fatigue effect in case of oxygen deficiency in the tissues due to, for example, prolonged muscle work. Carnitine replenishes when more carnitine is broken down by heavy exertion and disappears through sweat and urine.
Carnitine stimulates the recovery of peripheral nerves (nerves that pass to the limbs) and reduces peripheral nerve pain due to diabetes, HIV infection or chemotherapy.
The effect of carnitine on mental decline in the elderly is not only manifested in dementia. Precisely the early symptoms of the disease and the normal mental decline in the elderly can benefit greatly from carnitine. The production of carnitine decreases with age, helps protect the brain from signs of aging and also improves memory and concentration.
What can carnitine be used for
- Amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Autism
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Concentration disorders
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- Memory problems (forgetfulness)
- Healthy weight loss
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Cardiac dysrhythmia
- Sciatica (sciatica)
- Lactic acid (accumulation in the muscles)
- Infertility
- Slowing down the signs of old age
- Thyroid (working too slowly)
- Endurance (better performance)
- Fatigue
- Alzheimer's disease
Dosage of carnitine
- For most conditions, the doses of 1 to 3 grams per day, spread over several doses per day, can be taken with a meal.
- With improvement of mental energy, relief of depression and immune strengthening, doses of 500 mg to 2 grams per day are sufficient.
- Higher doses (1.5-3 grams) are needed for application in Alzheimer's disease and for repair of damaged nerve tissue.
- It can take more than a month before the first recovery manifests itself.
- The effect on mental energy and focus, on the other hand, can occur soon, sometimes after 20 minutes.
Which nutrients enhance the action of carnitine
- Alpha lipoic acid
- Vitamin B complex
- Lecithin
- Omega-3
Side effects and warnings of carnitine
- In the recommended dosages there are no known contraindications of carnitine.
