CARNITINE: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

 

INTRODUCTION:

Carnitine, or its more common form L-Carnitine, is an amino acid derivative, which helps to convert body fat into energy. It is conditionally an essential nutrient which is partially produced by the body itself in the liver, kidneys and brain. Most of the body carnitine is stored in heart or skeletal muscles. It has an essential role in the production of energy inside different important cells of our body.

DAILY REQUIREMENT:

The minimum body requirement for carnitine is at least 15 mg/day and can be taken in access to about 1-3 g/day..

CAUSES OF CARNITINE DEFICIENCY:

Carnitine deficiency is a serious complication, it has following causes:

•  Liver Or Kidney Disease: Carnitine is synthesized endogenously in the liver and kidneys. Conditions that affect these metabolic pathways, such as liver or kidney dysfunction, can impair carnitine biosynthesis ultimately leading to deficiency.

• Premature Babies: Carnitine deficiency also occurs in premature babies due to inability of the body to produce enough required carnitine.

• Genetic Disorders: Certain genetic disorders can impair the body's ability to synthesize or transport carnitine effectively.

• Increased Requirements or Losses: Certain medical conditions or physiological states may increase the body's demand for carnitine or results in its excessive loss. Examples include: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Dialysis, Pregnancy & Lactation.

• Medications: Certain medications can interfere with carnitine absorption, synthesis, or utilization, contributing to deficiency. These include: Valproic Acid (Medicine used for Epilepsy), & Chemotherapy.

• Parenteral Nutrition: It is dependency on Injections and drip for diet, due to disability to take oral food. Long-term use of parenteral nutrition without carnitine supplementation can result in deficiency due to inadequate intake from oral sources.

EFFECTS OF CARNITINE DEFICIENCY:

Carnitine deficiency has serious effect on health, it includes following:

• Muscle Weakness: It has been also found that low levels of carnitine causes muscle weakness. As muscles rely on fatty acids for energy during prolonged or high-intensity exercise, deficiency of carnitine can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue, resulting in decreased exercise tolerance and performance.

• Cardiac Dysfunction: Heart is a highly energy-demanding organ that relies heavily on fatty acid oxidation for energy production. Carnitine deficiency can impair cardiac energy metabolism, leading to a compromised heart function. This can manifest as symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, and reduced exercise capacity.

• Impaired Fatty Acid Metabolism: Carnitine is essential for transporting long-chain fatty acids for their Metabolism in order to generate energy. A deficiency in carnitine disrupts this process, leading to impaired fatty acid metabolism. As a result, there is an accumulation of fat in body.

• Hepatic Dysfunction (Liver Impairment): The liver plays a central role in lipid metabolism, including the synthesis, oxidation, and export of fatty acids. Carnitine deficiency can disrupt liver lipid metabolism. This leads to the accumulation of fatty acids and triglycerides within liver cells. Ultimately contributing to the development of fatty liver disease and liver dysfunction.

• Neurological Symptoms: Carnitine deficiency is associated with neurological symptoms due to its role in maintaining mitochondrial function and energy production in the brain. Individuals with carnitine deficiency may experience symptoms such as cognitive impairment, confusion, memory loss, and neuropathy.

• Metabolic Disorders: Carnitine deficiency can predispose individuals to various metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Impaired fatty acid oxidation due to carnitine deficiency can disrupt metabolic homeostasis, leading to abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism.

• Developmental Delays (in infants):  In severe cases of carnitine deficiency, infants may experience developmental delay and failure to thrive. Since carnitine is essential for energy metabolism and growth, inadequate carnitine levels can impair normal development and growth in infants and young children.

Therefore such instances definitely require external carnitine for the body to function properly and are taken as oral supplements mostly found as single preparations of L-Carnitine.

BENEFITS OF CARNITINE SUPPLEMENTS:

Several studies have also found that carnitine when taken as an additional supplement in an amount of 1-3 g/day, has the following health benefits:

• Energy Production: Carnitine plays a crucial role in fatty acid metabolism, enabling the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production. This process is especially important during prolonged exercise or times of increased energy demand.

• Weight Loss: Carnitine plays an important role in Weight loss. As carnitine helps in the transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for its metabolism, it is used to help in weight loss if accompanied with good diet.

• Increasing Stamina: As L-Carnitine increases fat oxidation and preserves muscle glycogen, it has been used by athletes and professional to increase muscular function and has shown to be helpful for people who have to keep up with a strenuous training regimen.

• Promoting Sexual Health: Carnitine plays an important role in improving sperm growth and motility and some studies have also shown it to be possibly effective in other forms of infertility. It also helps in the development of the egg in females by reducing oxidative stress.

• Prevention of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: In patients of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia it has been found to decrease the severity of symptoms by increasing mitochondrial activity and removing cellular toxins.
• Cardiac Health & Prevention of Heart Diseases: Carnitine has been investigated for its potential cardiovascular benefits. Some research indicates that supplementation with carnitine, may improve symptoms and exercise tolerance in individuals with heart failure. Carnitine is also helpful in fatty acid oxidization in cardiac muscles and is helpful in preventing potential heart problems like arrhythmias and angina. It also helps in regulating body cholesterol levels.
• Diabetic control: In patients of Type-2 Diabetes, Carnitine supplementation has been proven to decrease the fasting glucose level and insulin resistance as well as improving long-term HbA1c levels, thereby helping in better diabetic control and preventing complications.
• Pain Relief in Osteoporosis: In patients of Osteoarthritis, it has been shown to decrease levels of inflammatory markers, like Interleukin-1 and C-reactive protein, therefore decreasing pain and stiffness caused by arthritis therefore alleviating symptoms and providing better mobility.
• Brain Function: Carnitine is also known for its neuroprotective properties and potential to support cognitive function. It may help maintain healthy brain aging and protect against neurodegenerative.

Also Read: VITAMIN A & ITS HEALTH BENEFITS

Disclaimer: Always consult a healthcare provider while taking additional supplements, especially if suffering from any existing disease or if already taking any adjunctive medial therapy.