Advice needed on a supplement (L-Carnitine)

[Ammit]

Hi all

Was wondering if anyone can advise me on L-Carnitine, Is this a worth while suppliment to take.

Thanks

[Snoweagle]

Surely that specific question should be presented to a qualified medical practioner or authorised chemical dispenser and not an alternative media forum.

With the spectre of Codex Alimentarius hanging like the sword of Damacles over alternative venues for providing unqualified testimony places this environment under threat, wouldn't you agree?

My best advice would be to ask your doctor that question or read the accompanying data sheet provided by the pharmaceutical company to form your own judgement. There are many internet Doctor forums that might serve your interest as well

Of course you can always try Google and post your findings or queries here which might be a more constructive means of starting a debate:-)

[bruno dante]

You could ask your doctor, but since he has no clue about nutrition and especially nutritional supplements, you will have wasted his and your.time, not to mention at least 60 bucks if you're uninsured and live here in the states;)

I could give.you the scientific specifics, but.you.could.get that anywhere. You.need info from someone who has tried the stuff...well you're in luck my friend..

Lcarnitine is an amino acid that energizes the mitochondria. When taken orally in pill form it gives one energy. And it works! Or at least it does for me..especially when combined with q10 and magnesium. But if you're going to take the carnitine by itself, I'd recommend no less than 500mg

[DeDukshyn]

To take for what?

I work for this natural supplement company www.aor.ca -- The website has a host of educational information, and I can usually get further information if needed.

Here's some reading: http://www.aor.ca/products-page/l-carnitine-4/#research_tab -- expand and read the "research" section - also note there is an "abstracts" tab -- you'll find information in general on L-Carnitine here.

It was banned in Canada for a few years and has recently come back to market as a result of pressure from the NHP industry and HC having no real good reason to have it banned -- Health Canada wanted to classify it as a drug, not sure why exactly as it is a simple amino acid.

PDF format info: http://www.aor.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Binder-L-Carnitine.pdf

[Ontarioguy]

I have found it works great when combined with an aerobic//anaerobic exercize regimen...as it noticebly enhances the process of FAT LOSS while helping to curb appetite as well.

[DeDukshyn]

I have found it works great when combined with an aerobic//anaerobic exercize regimen...as it noticebly enhances the process of FAT LOSS while helping to curb appetite as well.

I noticed a little energy lift when I started taking it; at the time I was reducing my calories, so it was helpful for me in that regard. I didn't notice any drastic effects though; maybe a little clearer head on the side.

I will also say the demand for this product among NHP users is very high. I know it was being sold behind the counter "by request" by some stores during the ban (not our products though) just due to the high demand from consumers. Since this isn't a well known or advertised product, I think that tells a bit of story as to whether people think it is effective or not. It is also much more than just a metabolism aid, but seems to have the side effect.

[Amysenthia]

Please read more before you take this. Recent studies on Carnitine have linked it to a lot of problems such muscle damage through tearing of ligaments. While it is a vital amino acid used for many bodily functions and is often used to treat a variety of conditions it does come with risks. It should not be used without forethought and truly should be discussed with your doctor so that you can understand all of the risks. It is not just a nutritional supplement which I agree many doctors do not have great knowledge about.


Here is one great article that discusses Carnitine and what it does, http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/04/22/eating-red-meat.aspx.

Good luck with your decision but do your research. You did not really say why you are considering taking it so it is hard to address whether it would be a good choice for you. Please take a look a some of your medical research magazines such as Lancet.com, New England Journal of medicine. These can be accessed online and you can view some of the articles about this topic.

Good Luck to you.

[DeDukshyn]

Please read more before you take this. Recent studies on Carnitine have linked it to a lot of problems such muscle damage through tearing of ligaments. While it is a vital amino acid used for many bodily functions and is often used to treat a variety of conditions it does come with risks. It should not be used without forethought and truly should be discussed with your doctor so that you can understand all of the risks. It is not just a nutritional supplement which I agree many doctors do not have great knowledge about.


Here is one great article that discusses Carnitine and what it does, http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/04/22/eating-red-meat.aspx.

Good luck with your decision but do your research. You did not really say why you are considering taking it so it is hard to address whether it would be a good choice for you. Please take a look a some of your medical research magazines such as Lancet.com, New England Journal of medicine. These can be accessed online and you can view some of the articles about this topic.

Good Luck to you.

I would agree to always do your own research, or find sources that have listed research and what doses used. Here is another article on the subject Amysenthia pointed out: http://drnibber.com/an-interesting-tale-of-red-meat-l-carnitine-and-gut-bacteria/ for a more detailed perspective. Worth reviewing as well.

[bruno dante]

Well I can only speak from personal experience, and for many years i took up to 3000 mg a day while keeping up with a fairly demanding exercise regimen, and never suffered from any ligament or muscle tears. Also, most mainstream medical journals are so stubborn and archaic when it comes to supplements, that you'd have to live to bloody 500 yrs old if you.were waiting on solid confirmation as to its benefits from our so-called health professionals.

I've taken numerous supplements over the years and here's the deal: you can research till you're blue in the face, and if you're anything like me the science will likely go over your head anyway. The anecdotes or testimonials, provided they're real, are usually encouraging...especially the ones found on the products web page (for obvious reasons)...but if you search around long enough and hard enough you'll.find a few negatives as well. Look, it just comes down to trying the stuff. Nutritional supps do not harm or kill people - pharmaceutical drugs do. You've really got.nothing to lose. Find a company that has a return policy. Try the stuff for a few weeks, and if you are unsatisfied return the product n get your dough back. That's always been my m.o., and its served me quite well.

[Ammit]

Thank you to you all for your comments.

I did not give a reason why but after much of my own research I found more pros then cons.

Just wanted your oppinons.


Thank you all.

Ammit

[conk]

Surely that specific question should be presented to a qualified medical practioner or authorised chemical dispenser and not an alternative media forum.

With the spectre of Codex Alimentarius hanging like the sword of Damacles over alternative venues for providing unqualified testimony places this environment under threat, wouldn't you agree?

My best advice would be to ask your doctor that question or read the accompanying data sheet provided by the pharmaceutical company to form your own judgement. There are many internet Doctor forums that might serve your interest as well

Of course you can always try Google and post your findings or queries here which might be a more constructive means of starting a debate:-)I think that may be the worst advice that could be given.

It is risky to single out one amino acid, as they work in concert. Without the right balance of amino acids the body will be unable to synthesize proteins efficiently. Excess aminos are converted to sugar.