CARNITINE ENHANCES FAT USE AND PREVENTS STRESS RESPONSE TO EXERCISE

Carnitine supplementation has been promoted as a fat burner because of its role in trafficking fats to sites where they are burned as energy. A recent study provides some evidence for this fat burning effect. Subjects supplemented with either placebo or carnitine for an 8-week period and measures of fat and carbohydrate oxidation were obtained during exercise. Carnitine supplementation resulted in significantly greater rates of fat oxidation during exercise compared to placebo. Carnitine also resulted in a lower ammonia response to exercise, which is suggestive of less of a stress response. Carnitine supplementation may be of value for athletes, especially for those following a low-carbohydrate diet.

Galloway SDR, et al. Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on substrate metabolism during exercise. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Washington D.C., April, 2004. Abstract #502.4.
Galloway SDR, et al. Effects of 2 weeks supplementation with L-carnitine L-tartrate on plasma ammonia response to exercise. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Washington D.C., April, 2004. Abstract #502.5.