Benefits of L-carnitine

Antioxidant effects
L carnitine has anti oxidant effects and does provide protection to the cell membranes from oxygenated products. This anti oxidant activity provides maximim protection to the heart at cellular levels and does play a role in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Effects on diabetes
L carnitine has been shown to improve blood sugar control in diabetics. It has been known that supplementation of L carnitine with insulin also leads to a lowering of blood cholesterol.

Food sources
The highest concentrations of L carnitine are found in red meat and dairy products. Other sources of carnitine include:

-nuts – almonds, pea nuts
-seeds- pumpkin, sunflower, sesame
-legumes- beans, peas, lentils
-vegetables - artichokes, asparagus, beet greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts
-spices- garlic, mustard greens, okra, parsley, kale
-fruits- apricots, bananas
-cereals-buckwheat, corn, millet, oatmeal, rice bran, rye, whole wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ
-miscellaneous- bee pollen, brewer's yeast

Uses

Except for some congenital conditions where L carnitine deficiency is noted, there are no other medical disorders which are treated with L carnitine. In any case, L- carnitine is recommended for some medical disorders with the belief that it may be beneficial. These conditions include:

- Heart disease, heart failure
- Those with elevated cholesterol
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Eating disorders
- Alcohol related liver disease
- Renal failure
- Infertility
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Dementia

Its use in sports athletes is controversial.

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