Important Synergy for Two Therapeutic Nutrients
Carnitine is one of the most important nutrients needed for maintaining and promoting health, with over 158 clinical trials performed in humans.[1] Much of the clinical benefit of carnitine derives from the fact that carnitine is essential for fat burning and therefore energy production in nearly all cells. Carnitine promotes cellular energy by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells, where they are burned for energy. Just as importantly, carnitine also removes metabolic wastes from the mitochondria to keep them smooth running.[2]
Because the heart derives 70% of its energy from fat, and carnitine is needed for fat burning, it comes as no surprise that carnitine is crucial for heart health and offers important nutritional support for many heart conditions, including angina.[3] Carnitine supplementation has also been found to reduce complications and overall deaths dramatically in patients in the four weeks directly following a heart attack.[4]
Who Can Benefit from Carnitine
Those who want to burn fat more efficiently.
Older adults, helping them to experience less fatigue in body and mind and engage in more daily activities.[5] Carnitine supplements also help healthy elderly subjects reduce their total fat mass, increase their total muscle mass, improve their overall feeling of wellness and lower lipid levels dramatically.[6] In a landmark paper, carnitine was also found to help support erectile function and healthy mood levels in older men.[7]
Diabetics, as it helps lower fasting blood sugar[8] and lipoprotein(a) levels[9] in these patients.
Pregnant women, as their carnitine levels are lowered due to the high carnitine requirements of the fetus, especially in the last two trimesters.[10] This can often lead to low levels of carnitine in the mother.[11]
Vegetarians also have lower levels of carnitine.[12] Because children have increased carnitine needs, strict vegetarian diets in children should always be accompanied by carnitine supplementation.[13]
Those undergoing dialysis, but it should be used only with close medical supervision in this condition as the nutrient requirements of each dialysis patient are unique.[14] Carnitine also helps lower Creactive protein levels in dialysis patients.[15]
Cancer and cachexia: Carnitine provides valuable nutritional support in these patients, helping to promote optimal lean body mass, energy levels, and overall quality of life.[16] Further research supports these findings, and also shows that most cancer patients are carnitine deficient.[17]
Those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Carnitine supplementation increases exercise tolerance and inspiratory muscle strength in these patients according to one study.[18] Hyperthyroid: Carnitine helps support bone health and overall wellness in hyperthyroid patients,[19] and is especially useful during thyroid storm, a condition which depletes carnitine from the body.[20] For a full discussion with the pioneering researcher in hyperthyroid and carnitine, Dr. Salvatore Benvenga,[21] download Robert Crayhon’s interview with him at www.CrayhonResearch.com.
Men who seek nutritional support for sperm health.[22]
Those with anemia, as carnitine supports red blood cell wall integrity.[23]
HIV patients, as carnitine supports healthy immune function in these patients.[24]
Those with high blood pressure, as it helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels.[25]
Multiple Sclerosis patients, as it increases their energy levels and well-being.[26]
Those who exercise: Numerous studies show that carnitine helps suppress the muscle damage that can occur during exercise[27] and speeds recovery from exercise.[28]
Medications Increase Need for Carnitine
Many drugs increase the need for carnitine, and their side effects can often be reduced by using carnitine simultaneously. These include valproic acid[29], isotretinion,[30] interferon[31] doxorubicin,[32] and adriamycin.[33]
Why Add Biotin to Carnitine?
While carnitine supports fat burning, it can also stimulate gluconeogenesis,[34] which is the liver’s over-production of sugar. Biotin helps suppress gluconeogenesis,[35] thus helping to optimize the metabolic effect of carnitine. Therefore, when using carnitine to support fatty acid oxidation, we strongly recommend taking 1 mg of biotin for every 500 mg of carnitine to keep gluconeogenesis and insulin metabolism balanced.
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