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| It does possess one of the strong attributes of the B-complex family of vitamins, namely its water-solubility and non-toxic nature. NOTE: Antagonists for carnitine would for the most part be the same as it would for most other water-soluble B-vitamins. A deficiency in carnitine can therefore result in an overall reduction in energy production by the cells. Carnitine helps to balance blood sugar levels and has a direct effect on heart muscle function. This process is regulated by the temperature of the muscles: the higher the temperature of the muscles, the more carnitine is attracted to them, thus systematically supplying the muscles with their requirements. Carnitine is particularly important during strenuous exercise since fat burning contributes approximately 60% of muscle energy in continuous exercise of great intensity. Carnitine utilizes unsaturated fat as a source of energy, converting muscle and liver glycogen. Vitamin C-complex works synergistically with carnitine for its synthesis. Carnitine may also be useful in the treatment of anorexia, impaired metabolism, high LDL cholesterol, hypoglycemia, low HDL cholesterol, poor circulation, high triglycerides. Even though a healthy body has the ability to produce carnitine, there are conditions which sometimes require the use of therapeutic supplementation. Further, it is known to reverse congestive heart failure and restore the force of heart rate contractions. Some natural health care doctors, primarily Naturopaths, have described carnitine as the vitamin and/or the amino acid which prevents the buildup of fatty tissue in the heart muscle and therefore preventing the heart muscle from becoming 'flabby'. Deficiency symptoms include anorexia, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, chronic fatigue, damaged heart tissue, heart attack, hypo-glycemia (low blood sugar), muscle disorders, muscular dystrophy, muscle weakness, myoglobinuria (high breakdown of muscle cells), obesity, poor circulation, high cholesterol (LDL), high triglycerides, low cholesterol (HDL). |
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