Ingredients
L-Carnitine is a vitamin-like nutrient that is
synthesized in the body, using the amino acids lysine and methionine as
precursors. Because the body produces L-Carnitine on its own, it cannot be
classified as a vitamin, even though it has functions similar to B vitamins.
Furmarate is also a natural compound found in the body. Furmarate serves as an
intermediate in the Krebs cycle, a key cellular energy-producing process.
L-Carnitine and Furmarate both play important roles in energy metabolism.
Best L-Carnitine contains BIOSINT™ L-Carnitine
Furmarate, which is made in Italy
by Sigma Tau Health Science. It is derived from a base of pharmaceutical-grade
L-Carnitine manufactured using an FDA-approved process that fully complies with
international monograph standards for carnitine production. No biotechnology or
genetically modified organisms are involved.
L-Carnitine Furmarate is certified GMO free, BSE
safe, pesticide free and Kosher. It is also ISO 9002 certified and NNFA GMP
certified.
L-Carnitine Furmarate is highly stable and
bioavailable. Known as a global leader in L-Carnitine research, Sigma Tau holds
numerous patents for production of L-Carnitine, and its L-Carnitine derivatives
are used in clinical trials. Sigma Tau Health Science has the only FDA-approved
(1984) pharmaceutical batch process system for consistent L-Carnitine quality,
and has been manufacturing L-Carnitine derivatives for 30 years.
Benefits
Helps the body to burn fat for
energy
L-Carnitine promotes energy production in cells
by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondrion. Its primary function is to
transfer long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Fatty
acid molecules are activated to coenzyme A (CoA) esters in the cytoplasm of the
cell, and then esterified to L-Carnitine. The combination of a fatty acid
molecule and L-Carnitine is called "acyl-carnitine." Much of the
body's L-Carnitine content is stored in the form of acyl-carnitine.
The mitochondrion is the cell's energy-generating
furnace. Called an "organelle," the mitochondrion is a self-contained
structure inside the cell. Like all cellular structures, the mitochondrion is
surrounded by a membrane. This membrane is an impenetrable barrier to acyl-CoA
esters; passage across the membrane requires L-Carnitine as a transporter.
On the inside of the mitochondrial membrane, the
acyl-CoA esters are made available to be metabolized through the process of
beta oxidation. One of the key metabolic byproducts of this process is acetyl-CoA,
also called "active acetate," which enters the Krebs cycle (also
known as the "citric acid cycle") to supply fuel for production of
ATP, the cell's primary energy "currency." L-Carnitine shuttles
excess fatty acid residues out of the mitochondrion. This role is essential for
preventing toxic buildup of fatty acids inside the mitochondrion.
Evidence suggests that L-Carnitine and short
chain acyl-carnitine esters can protect the mitochondrion from adverse effects
of drugs and toxic chemicals. L-Carnitine has been shown to protect animals
from cardiotoxins and decrease mortality rate in animals with diphtheria, due
to this cardioprotective effect.
Helps maintain
healthy heart and cardiovascular system
Muscle tissue contains
a high concentration of L-Carnitine. With its constant energy needs, heart
muscle tissue is especially rich in L-Carnitine. If the body's ability to
biosynthesize L-Carnitine is compromised, energy production in muscle tissue is
impaired, and a toxic buildup of fatty acids can occur. Defective production of
L-Carnitine by the body can result from a variety of factors, including kidney
or liver malfunction, increased catabolism or the inability of tissues to
extract and retain L-Carnitine from the blood.
Along with glucose and
lactate, fatty acids are the primary oxidation fuel for the heart. A
considerable amount of scientific data from animal experiments indicates that
L-Carnitine protects the heart under conditions of hypoxia, or low oxygen. In
addition to the oxidation of fat for energy in the cell, L-Carnitine is
involved in the metabolism of glucose.
Evidence of
L-Carnitine's role in glucose metabolism was uncovered in a small trial on 9
diabetic individuals. Given intravenously, L-Carnitine improved
insulin-mediated glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity.
Depletion of the body's
L-Carnitine supply is linked to various abnormal states, especially of the
heart muscle. The effect of L-Carnitine on hypoxic (oxygen-starved) isolated
heart muscle tissues has been studied.
At high concentrations,
L-Carnitine demonstrates a clear-cut ability to potentiate the contractility of
isolated heart muscle tissue, indicating the L-Carnitine has a strengthening
effect on the heart. L-Carnitine has been shown to improve the performance of
rats subjected to fatigue test.
Research has revealed
that in animals and humans with defective heart muscle, the amount of free
L-Carnitine (not bound to fatty acids) is reduced. Administration of
L-Carnitine to hamsters prevents damage to the heart muscle. Given to humans
with angina, L-Carnitine was found to improve exercise tolerance.
In a small study,
patients with congestive heart failure showed gains in heart function with oral
consumption of L-Carnitine, reportedly by restoring normal oxidation of fatty
acids. In heart valve replacement patients, L-Carnitine has been shown to
increase the valve tissue levels of ATP, pyruvate and creative phosphate, which
are key cellular energy substrates.
In a controlled study,
L-Carnitine was administered in 38 patients prior to open heart surgery. Prior
to surgery, heart circulatory function, as assessed by measurements of
hemodynamics, was "good" in all 38 patients. While there was evidence
of a "preserving" effect of L-Carnitine on heart cells, no
differences in cardiac performance were observed. These results suggest that
noticeable improvements in heart muscle performance with L-Carnitine are most
likely to occur in people with compromised hearts.
It has been suggested
that L-Carnitine favorably influences blood lipids. Preliminary evidence of
this was seen in a small open trial on 26 patients who took 3 grams of
L-Carnitine daily for 40 days. Blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
dropped substantially, while the ratio of the total to HDL cholesterol - a
known marker of cardiovascular health - markedly improved.
While L-Carnitine is
not a treatment for heart disease, (nor should it be used as a substitute for
medical treatment) the results of these and other studies suggest that oral
consumption of L-Carnitine has a beneficial influence on maintaining a healthy
heart and cardiovascular system. Source: Doctor's Best
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Scientific References
- Wagenmakers,
A. L-Carnitine supplementation and performance in man. Brouns, F. ed.
Advances in Nutrition and Top Sport. Med Sport Sci. Basel, Kerger, 1991;
32: 110-27.
- Arrigoni-Martelli
E., Caso V. Carnitine protects mitochondria and removes toxic acyls from
xenobiotics. Drugs Exptl. Clin Res. 2001; 27(1): 27-49.
- Pepine,
C.J. The therapeutic potential of carnitine in cardiovascular disorders.
Clinical Therapeutics 1991; 13(1): 2-21.
- Calvani
M, Reda E., Arrigoni-Martelli, E. Regulation by carnitine of myocardial
fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism under normal and pathological
conditions. Basic Research in Cardiology 2000; 95(2): 75-83.
- Capaldo,
B, et al. Carnitine improves peripheral glucose disposal in
non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Diabetes Research and Clinical
Practice 1991; 14: 191-96.
- Fanelli,
O. Carnitine and acetyl-carnitine, natural substances endowed with
interesting pharmacological properties. Life Sciences 1978; 23: 2563-2570.
- Kobayashi
A, Masumura Y, Yamazaki N. L-Carnitine treatment for congestive heart failure-experimental
and clinical study. Japanese Circulation Journal 1992; 56: 86-94.
- Pastoris,
O., et al. Effect of L-Carnitine on myocardial metabolism: results of a
balanced, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in patients undergoing
heart surgery. Pharmacological Research 1998; 37(2): 115-22.
- Pola,
P., et al. Carnitine in the therapy of dyslipidemic patients. Current
Therapeutic Research 1980; 27(2): 208-16.
- L-Carnitine.
PDR for Nutritional Supplements. First Ed. 2001 Montvale, NJ:
Medical Economics.
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