Benefits and Deficiency
What is Carnitine?
L-carnitine is a coenzyme, a water-soluble vitamin-like compound that is classified as an amino acid, whose supplementation could potentially be beneficial under several conditions.
One of the most relevant is that carnitine facilitates the transport of fatty acid to the mitochondria for oxidation. Because of this role, it is possible that weight loss could be improved because fatty build-up would be converted into energy (primarily for muscular activities). It is also suggested that supplemental carnitine could have a positive effect on energy levels, especially during exercise or any activity requiring high energy levels.
Carnitine Deficiency
Carnitine is stored in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain, and sperm. Any number of reasons can cause some people to have dietary deficiencies of carnitine or an inability to properly absorb this nutrient from the foods they eat. This deficiency of carnitine may cause symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, muscle pain, weakness, low blood pressure, and/or confusion. Heart muscle tissue, because of its high-energy requirements, is particularly vulnerable to carnitine deficiency. Any such symptoms should be reported to your health care provider. Also, you should consult your health care provider before taking any nutritional supplements, including carnitine.
Benefits of Carnitine
Carnitine, along with ornithine and arginine, is a growth hormone releaser. It is used to improve mental performance. It is also used to improve resistance to muscle fatigue. Studies have also shown carnitine to be beneficial in some by lowering blood triglyceride levels.
Someone has stated that energy is the greatest anti-aging force there is. The hypothesis is that the more energy your cells have, the slower they (the cells) age. Therefore, giving your cells the fuel they need to make optimal levels of energy is a wise decision.
