L- Carnitine

1. L-Carnitine Charisma Garcia NFSC 345

2. Introduction • Background • Purported Benefits • Mechanism of Action • Evidence of Benefits • Conflicting Research • Safety Concerns • Professional Position

3. 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

4. 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: • Athletes • Dieters

5. 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 Loss • No Evidence • EXERCISE PERFORMANCE ??

6. Mechanism of Action • L-Carnitine transfers long chain FA’s into the mitochondria • Required for Energy Production

7. Evidence of Benefits • Orer & Guzel • Double-blind study examined L-Carnitinesupplementation 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

8. Results of the study • L-carnitine supplementation increased the effectiveness of endurance performance • Heart rate decreased • Lactic Acid Concentrations decreased • Running speeds increased • Exhaustion was prolonged (perceived level of difficulty)

9. Conflicting Research • Colombani et al • Double-blind study examined the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on the performance of marathon runners • Results • No significant change in marathon running time • L-Carnitine did not improve physical performance

10. Safety Concerns • No serious toxicity has been reported • With doses over 6000mg: • Nausea • Vomiting • Diarrhea

11. 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

12. 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 carnitinesur la performance physique et le metabolismeenergetique 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