Does L-carnitine work?

Introduction

L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound that plays a crucial role in energy production by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria. It has been studied for its potential benefits in various medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular diseases, renal conditions, and exercise performance.

Key Insights

Hyperthyroidism Management:
- L-carnitine can reverse and prevent symptoms of hyperthyroidism and improve bone mineral density.
Cardiovascular Health:
- L-carnitine reduces left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction, leading to smaller left ventricular volumes.
- It is associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and angina in acute myocardial infarction patients.
- L-carnitine and its derivatives protect cardiac metabolism and function in ischemic heart disease by increasing glucose metabolism and reducing toxic effects of long-chain acyl-CoA.
Renal Health:
- L-carnitine suppresses inflammation and improves protein-energy nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
Exercise Performance:
- L-carnitine enhances exercise endurance by promoting muscle oxidative metabolism and increasing fatty acid oxidation.
- It is suggested to improve exercise tolerance and reduce anginal attacks in patients with ischemic heart disease .
Antioxidative Properties:
- L-carnitine protects plasma proteins and lipids against oxidative damage, demonstrating antioxidative activity.
Cancer-related Fatigue:
- L-carnitine supplementation did not show significant improvement in fatigue among cancer patients.

Conclusion

L-carnitine has demonstrated efficacy in managing hyperthyroidism symptoms, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing exercise performance. It also shows potential benefits in reducing inflammation in renal patients and protecting against oxidative damage. However, its effectiveness in alleviating cancer-related fatigue remains unproven. Overall, L-carnitine appears to be a beneficial supplement for various health conditions, particularly those related to energy metabolism and cardiovascular health.

Does L-carnitine work?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Usefulness of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action, in iatrogenic hyperthyroidism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

L-carnitine effectively reverses and prevents symptoms of hyperthyroidism and has a beneficial effect on bone mineralization without toxicity, teratogenicity, or drug interactions.

L-carnitine infusions may suppress serum C-reactive protein and improve nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

L-carnitine therapy may suppress inflammation and improve protein-energy nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Effects of L-carnitine administration on left ventricular remodeling after acute anterior myocardial infarction: the L-Carnitine Ecocardiografia Digitalizzata Infarto Miocardico (CEDIM) Trial.

L-carnitine treatment initiated early after acute myocardial infarction and continued for 12 months can significantly reduce left ventricular dilation and lead to smaller left ventricular volumes at 3, 6, and 12 months after the event.

l-Carnitine

L-carnitine improves motor skills, muscle strength, and endurance in patients with primary carnitine deficiencies and may have potential therapeutic applications in various conditions related to fatty acid metabolism.

L-carnitine supplementation for the management of fatigue in patients with cancer: an eastern cooperative oncology group phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

L-carnitine supplementation did not significantly improve fatigue in patients with invasive malignancies and good performance status.

L-Carnitine enhances exercise endurance capacity by promoting muscle oxidative metabolism in mice.

L-Carnitine administration enhances exercise endurance capacity by promoting fat oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis while sparing stored glycogen in skeletal muscle during prolonged exercise.

L-Carnitine Supplementation in Humans. The Effects on Physical Performance

L-carnitine supplementation is widely used by athletes, but its effectiveness in increasing lipid turnover and maintaining L-carnitine levels during heavy exercise remains inconclusive.

L-Carnitine protects plasma components against oxidative alterations.

L-carnitine possesses antioxidative activity, protecting plasma proteins and lipids from oxidative damage caused by peroxynitrite.

L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

L-carnitine reduces all-cause mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and angina symptoms in patients with acute myocardial infarction compared to placebo or control.

Influence of L-carnitine and its derivatives on myocardial metabolism and function in ischemic heart disease and during cardiopulmonary bypass.

L-carnitine and its derivatives can protect cardiac metabolism and function in ischemic heart disease and during cardiopulmonary bypass, potentially through increased glucose metabolism, reduced toxic effects, and increased coronary blood flow.

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