Supplements Information |
L-Carnitine For Health & Muscle Growth: What You Need To Know About L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by body builders and other athletes as a safe and helpful way to create bigger and more efficient muscles. Some physicians and researchers have looked at L-carnitine to prevent muscle wasting in people who need kidney dialysis; alternative medicine purveyors suggest that L-carnitine may stop cellular aging. In order for you to make a healthy decision about using L-carnitine, we've put together some information any potential buyer should have. What is L-carnitine, anyways? L-carnitine is a modified amino acid, produced in the liver. Most amino acids form the building blocks of proteins, which in turn provide much of the structure and function of the body. L-carnitine is different than amino acids in that it doesn't form a part of a protein; instead it serves as a delivery van, moving fats into specialized parts of our cells, where they can be used for energy. Several conditions can result in lowered L-carnitine levels, including: -rare genetic (hereditary) conditions-loss of L-carnitine during dialysis (the mechanical process used to clean the blood in patients whose kidneys can't manage it)-certain persons (for example, premature babies) who may not get enough L-carnitine in their diets and cannot make adequate amounts in their livers Where can I get some? Most people synthesize (make) enough L-carnitine for their needs in the liver. You can also get significant amounts in your diet from: -ground beef-pork-milk-fish Even strict vegetarians generally make enough that they don't need to eat meat to have the needed L-carnitine ; they can also get small amounts from sources like avocado, whole wheat bread and asparagus. Should I be taking L-carnitine supplements? People who have a liver condition that doesn't allow L-carnitine to be synthesized need to take L-carnitine supplements in order to survive; this is also the case for people who are born with kidneys that excrete L-carnitine in large amounts. Because L-carnitine is so important in creating energy, many people swear by it to enhance their athletic activity. They feel that this is particularly important in their muscles, which often need lots of energy in order to increase in size (as in body building) and to function over long periods of time (in marathon runners). Unfortunately, studies to date have not shown conclusively that supplementation improves athletic performance or muscle bulk. Some research suggests though that larger studies need to be done to see if there is an effect on certain types of exercise or certain sub-groups of athletes. There is a little more evidence that L-carnitine may be useful for people with conditions that lead to loss of L-carnitine, for example: *Aging. Some studies suggest that energy and memory losses may in part be due to decreased levels of L-carnitine in older rats and mice; L-carnitine has been shown to partially reverse these changes. Large studies are planned to see if L-carnitine has this effect on aging humans *Heart damage. Several studies in humans suggest that L-carnitine supplementation after myocardial infarction (heart attack) may help the heart repair damaged cells and help it function better. L-carnitine even seems to help people who are having angina - the pain that sometimes precedes heart attack. *Muscle loss from kidney disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of L-carnitine in dialysis patients to prevent and treat carnitine deficiency that is caused by kidney disease and dialysis. While it does not work for all patients who experience muscle weakness and loss, it is available as an alternative if standard treatments aren't working. The Short Answer... Unless you have one of a few specific conditions, it's not yet clear whether L-carnitine will help you with your goals. Since for some people (including those with seizure disorders, who have Alzheimer's disease, or who are pregnant and nursing) L-carnitine supplements may be dangerous, your best bet might be to wait until more information is available. Sources Used: Brass E., "Supplemental carnitine and exercise," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 72, issue supplement 2, p 618S-623S, 2002 Davini P, et al "Controlled study on L-carnitine therapeutic efficacy in post-infarction," Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research, Volume 18, issue 8, p 355-365, 1992 Hagen T., et al. "Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats significantly improves metabolic function while decreasing oxidative stress," Proceeds of the National Academy of Science, Volume 99, issue 4, p1870-1875, 2002 National Kidney Foundation, "Adult Guidelines for Maintenance Dialysis: L-carnitine," update 2000 Sakurauchi Y, et al., "Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on muscular symptoms in hemodialyzed patients," American Journal of Kidney Disease, Volume 32, p258-264, 1998. Sein, H., "Carnitine and its precursor, gamma-butyrobetaine," In: Kramer K, et al, eds. Nutraceuticals in Health and Disease Prevention, New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc, p 217-256, 2001 Wachter, S. et al, "Long-term administration of L-carnitine to humans: effect on skeletal muscle carnitine content and physical performance," Clinica Chimica Acta, Volume 318, issues 1-2, p. 51-61, 2002 Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005 Learn more about health, diet and exercise at our weight loss forum. PhenForum.com is a popular discussion forum for weight loss programs, diet advice, and tips to help you burn fat. All the best, Ian Mason
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
RELATED ARTICLES
Kanhaiya Amla Powder AMLA ( EMBLICA OFFICINALIS ) FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTYAMLA, proudly known as 'Indian Gooseberry' has been the key constituent of many Ayurvedic formulations. And nowadays, it has been accepted by almost all medical branches as a result of extensive research carried at Germany, England, India, and various other countries. Selenium Can Lift Your Spirits In July of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture officially published research information, which acknowledges Selenium as "an essential trace element known for its antioxidant prowess."In addition to this, the mineral has been recognized for its ability to lift the spirits, and prevent mood swings of those who take it as a nutritional supplement. A Look at Whey Protein Powder There are so many different whey protein powder products on the marketplace today that knowing which one is the best one for you is getting increasingly more complicated. To make things even more confusing, many of the competing brands use different suggested serving sizes, different measuring spoons and different container sizes just to make comparisons more difficult. 8 Minerals Every Arthritis Sufferer Should Know About Minerals are essential to maintain our bodies in top condition .. Iron Supplement Iron supplement - why iron?Why people need to use iron supplement? Well, there are many reasons. Iron is very important for our bodies and our health and when you do not get enough iron with your foods, the iron supplement comes to help. Looking For Health Care Supplements - The Easy Way To Order When looking for health care supplements Texas residents can enjoy an easy way of finding a selection of health and fitness products. The Internet has made it easy to get great quality products, and when looking for health care supplements Texas residents can enjoy both choice and convenience online. How To Make HGH And Anti Aging Work For You Anti aging has become the latest craze.Wherever we look at, we can see a product or two that promotes anti aging. How To Choose a Glyconutrient Supplement This article provides three easy tips for selecting a qualityglyconutrient supplement to make sure you always get the bestvalue for your money. These principals apply to any qualitynutritional supplements you may be buying as well. What to Look For In Selecting A High Quality Nutritional Supplement! Have you ever purchased something thinking you had bought a really good product only to later find out that you could have had a better product for the same money? I know I have. And our friend Henry is shortly about to discover this sick feeling for himself in a very personal way. Nutritional Supplements: The Amazing Vitamin C The real facts about Vitamin C may surprise you. First of all what is Vitamin C? Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin. The Liquid Vitamin Supplement Not many years ago the liquid vitamin supplement was unheard of. I remember the advent of the pills years ago and later on the capsule. Buy Vitamins Supplements: Tips, Myths, and Facts - An Inside Story! With dietary supplements making their way in our daily life, we find it difficult to survive without them. We have very smartly and effectively heralded these supplements as panacea for all ills. Using Antioxidants in Your Weight Loss Program If you're smart, you should not only be focused on your goal to lose weight but to maximize your weight lossprogram to its full extent by getting some health benfitsout of it as well, and make them priority #1.One of the health benefits you should be aiming for as you lose weight should be getting a good daily dosage of antioxidants while on your weight loss plan and even afterward while in maintainence mode. Glucosamine Chondroitin & Arthritis - A Health Supplement Many millions of people are affected by pain and suffering from Arthritis and research has shown that Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphates combined have given these people new hope and relief from their painful ailments.Many medicines are available to reduce pain, but some of them have serious side effects, some that have even proven to be fatal. Are MLM Nutrition Supplements Right For You? Considering that the Health and Wellness industry is currently a multi-million dollar per year market, and that MLM is one of the quickest ways to develop a large stream of residual income, promoting nutritional programs via network marketing certainly might be right for you.There are several points you will want to consider though when researching an opportunity to join, such as:1. Vitamins - Childrens and Multivitamins Most parents' think their children are eating a fairly healthy and if not they throw their hands up in the air and give up. They then ply their children with multivitamins. Build Health: Cut Through The Calcium Hype The initial success of penicillin generated an assumption which has stuck with us as a cultural belief in the Quick Technological Fix. That assumption is:A single variable can be divided out from all other variables, tested for its result, and it will prevent or promote disease. L-Carnitine For Health & Muscle Growth: What You Need To Know About L-Carnitine L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by body builders and other athletes as a safe and helpful way to create bigger and more efficient muscles. Some physicians and researchers have looked at L-carnitine to prevent muscle wasting in people who need kidney dialysis; alternative medicine purveyors suggest that L-carnitine may stop cellular aging. Havent Heard of the Acai Berry Yet? You've probably been eating blueberries since you were a little kid. Maybe you've had huckleberries too, which are a little harder to find since they're hand-picked in the wild. Vitamin E - Just the Facts, Ma'am It is important to understand that we are ultimately responsible for our own well-being and should do whatever is necessary to maintain our health and assist our bodies in resisting and fighting disease. Since health practitioners agree that vitamins are essential for life and health, we must ensure that we receive adequate amounts for our bodies to function properly and to protect us from illnesses. |
home | site map | contact us |