| L-Carnitine is a non essential amino acid that the body can manufacture
from essential amino acids L-lysine and methionine. The conversion
to carnitine requires niacin (vitamin B3), vitamins B6 and vitamin
C, and iron. It is found in nearly all cells of the body but chiefly
in the liver and kidney. Carnitine is essential for the transportation
of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membranes
in the mitochondria, where they are metabolized by beta-oxidation
to produce biological energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate
(ATP).
L-Carnitine is also required to remove short to medium chain fatty
acids from the mitochondria. This removal optimizes energy production
by maintaining coenzyme A at optimal levels for normal metabolism
and energy production.
Deficiencies of carnitine may result from deficiencies in lysine,
methionine, vitamins B3, vitamin B6, vitamin C, Iron, defective
gastrointestinal function, or increased requirement because of high-fat
diet, metabolic stress or disease. The consequences of carnitine
deficiency are impaired lipid metabolism and lipid accumulation
in skeletal muscles, heart and liver. Patients usually exhibit muscle
weakness and fatigue.
Normal heart
function depends on adequate concentrations of carnitine. While
the normal heart stores more carnitine than required, if the heart
does not have a good oxygen supply, carnitine levels quickly decrease.
Lack of oxygen leads to decreased energy production and increased
risk for angina and heart disease. Carnitine benefits blood lipids
by lowering triglycerides and total cholesterol, while increasing
HDL. L-acetyl carnitine (LAC) may be useful in the treatment of
Alzheimer’s disease, senile depression and age related memory
loss.
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