of the thyroid gland.
In patients with chronic gastritis with reduced secretory function and chronic pancreatitis, after a course of treatment with carnitine, restoration of appetite and weight gain were noted. Long and frequent repeated courses do not cause side effects, which cannot be said about other drugs used in this area.
Coronary heart disease. L-Carnitine may protect the heart from myocardial ischemia (reduction of blood flow in angina pectoris, which can significantly impair the mechanical functioning of the heart and lead to a heart attack) and reduce the duration or severity of a heart attack.
Angina. L-Carnitine is also beneficial for people who suffer from angina (chest pain is similar to pain from ischemia of the heart muscle) and can improve exercise tolerance in these cases.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a malaise that is characterized by a lack of energy, constant weakness, and in this condition, the plasma concentration of L-Carnitine is significantly reduced. The positive role of L-Carnitine in energy metabolism is also confirmed by a study in which it was found that the use of L-Carnitine improves overall well-being of people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.
A preliminary study has been done, during which it was found that L-Carnitine can help AIDS patients who were prescribed cytovudine (AZT). These patients may become depleted of L-Carnitine and may be at risk for changes in fat metabolism and energy supply.
Sources of l-carnitine intake in the human body
L-carnitine the body of an adult is able to synthesize in a limited amount, no more than 10% of the biological need. But even this possibility can be realized only in the presence of two essential amino acids (lysine and methionine), vitamins B3, B6, B12, folic acid, iron, vitamin C, and a number of enzymes. In the absence of at least one of these substances, the own synthesis of L-carnitine is significantly reduced, and with a lack of vitamin C, it practically does not occur. The main amount of L-carnitine, a person receives with food from seafood, fish, animal meat. One kilogram of beef contains 500-700 mg of L-carnitine, in pork it is only 300 mg / kg, even less in apples - 30 mg / kg. There is no L-carnitine in potatoes at all. The highest concentration of this substance in natural crab meat: up to 9000 mg/kg. Thus, for the natural replenishment of L-carnitine, a balanced diet with a predominance of seafood is necessary. However, the diet of the majority of the Russian population is far from perfect. According to the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, 70% of Russians lack vitamin C, the consumption of seafood, including fish, does not exceed 4 kg per person per year, which is 3-4 times lower than the biological norm. The consequences of disproportions in nutrition are exacerbated by eating foods weakened by one-sided selection: iron is absent in apples, provitamin A in carrots, etc. Thus, the correction of carnitine status through special carnitine-containing drinks is an urgent need for the majority of the Russian population.
L-carnitine and children.
In children, the mechanism of synthesis of their own L-carnitine is formed only by the age of 15. Compensation for carnitine deficiency in newborns is ensured by feeding with mother's milk. During lactation, hormonal changes in the mother's body contribute to active reproduction of L-carnitine entering breast milk. Hence the second name of this substance - growth vitamin. The fact that L-Carnitine can be a valuable nutrition for the baby has been widely discussed and recommendations have been made that L-Carnitine should be included in the infant's diet. Although natural human milk contains L-Carnitine, infant formulas based on soy protein contain unspecified levels of this substance, and cow's milk formulas lose some L-Carnitine during processing. Fortunately, for the past 15 years, a significant number of major manufacturers have consistently added Lonza L-Carnitine to both soy-based infant formulas and cow's milk-based formulas. The fact that L-Carnitine is added to infant food formulas proves the safety and importance of this product.
The need for L-carnitine is directly dependent on the intensity of metabolic processes, which in healthy children is comparable to those of professional athletes. It is only necessary to make an adjustment for the weight of the child. Through the efforts of the employees of the Children's Scientific and Practical Center for Radiation Protection of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, scientific research was carried out on the clinical testing of drinks based on L-carnitine, produced by the Geselst company. The group included 20 children aged 6 to 12 years. The control group, which received a placebo ("dummy"), also consisted of 20 patients of identical age composition. All patients lived in the territories belonging to the II zone of radioactive contamination, and had a similar pathology. The duration of the course of treatment was 3 weeks.
In children suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and biliary tract, after two weeks there was an improvement in appetite and a significant weight gain (up to 1000 g). In the control group, appetite recovered more slowly and weight gain ranged from 0 to 500 g. In the same period, the increase in hemoglobin was 1.6 g/dl, versus 0.6-0.9 g/dl. Significantly improved indicators of humoral immunity and phagocytic system. In 16 patients out of 20 (80%), normalization of the heart rate, improvement of repolarization processes were noted against 15% in the comparison group. In 90% of cases there was an increase tolerance (tolerance) to submaximal physical exertion and normalization of hemodynamic parameters, while in the comparison group, there was no improvement in working capacity and hemodynamic parameters., increased activity, improved psycho-emotional status, improved vascular tone and neuromuscular conduction.
What gives the regular use of L-Carnitine:
Provides fat burning
Increases physical endurance
shortens the recovery period
Increases the saturation of cells with oxygen
improves the activity of the heart muscle
boosts immunity
lowers cholesterol levels.
Forms of release of carnitine
The first thing to note is that only L-forms of carnitine are effective. Therefore, when choosing a drug, it is necessary to take into account the percentage of the L-form of carnitine in a particular product.
It is best to take carnitine on an empty stomach 0.5-1 hour before meals. This is a necessary condition, because when taken with food, carnitine is partially bound by food components. However, carnitine solution can be diluted with drinks such as compote, jelly, juices, tea. The sour-tasting solution of carnitine does not lose its strength.
To stimulate appetite and increase body weight in patients with chronic gastritis and pancreatitis with reduced secretion, carnitine is prescribed in a single dose of 0.5 g 2 times a day, in a daily dose of 1 g for 1-1.5 months.
With growth retardation and thyrotoxicosis, it is prescribed in a single dose of 0.25 g 2-3 times a day, in a daily dose of 0.5-0.75 g. The course of treatment is 20 days. After a 1-2-month break, the course is repeated.
Sports practice has shown that athletes need carnitine in relatively large doses - the minimum daily dose of carnitine is 2 g, the maximum is 8 g.
The minimum dose must be selected independently empirically, adjusting it depending on the dynamics of achieving one or another desired result.