Carnitine deficiency

Carnitine is derived from an amino acid and found in nearly all cells of the body. It is the generic term for various compounds including L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine.

It plays a critical role in the production of energy. The transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria can be oxidized (“burned”) for the production of the energy. It also helps in transporting the toxic compounds generated out of cellular organelle for preventing their accumulation. Given these key functions, carnitine is concentrated in tissues including skeletal and cardiac muscle, which utilize fatty acids as a dietary fuel.

The body is known for making shall make sufficient Carnitine to meet the needs of people. For some genetic or medical reasons, some individuals (including preterm infants), cannot make enough, so for them, it is a conditionally essential nutrient.

Absorption and Metabolism of Carnitine

Consumption of mixed diets by adults including red meat and other animal products obtain about 60–180 milligrams of carnitine per day. Vegans are studies to get considerably less (approx. 10 to 12 milligrams) since they avoid animal-derived food products. Most (54 to 86%) dietary carnitine is absorbed in the small intestine that further enters the bloodstream.

The kidneys efficiently conserve carnitine, so even carnitine-poor diets might have some little impact on the body’s total Carnitine content. Rather than being metabolized, excess carnitine is excreted in the urine as needed through the kidneys for maintaining a stable blood concentration.

When Carnitine Deficiency Occurs

Two types of Carnitine Deficiency states exist. Primary deficiency is a genetic disorder of the cellular carnitine-transporter system. It manifests itself by five years of age with symptoms known as cardiomyopathy, skeletal-muscle weakness, and hypoglycemia. Secondary deficiencies might occur due to certain disorders (including chronic renal failure) or under particular conditions (use of specific antibiotics) that shall lower carnitine absorption or increase its excretion in the body. There is scientific agreement on carnitine’s value as a prescription product for overcoming these deficiencies.

Carnitine and Healthful Diets

Nutritional eventually needs primary foods. Foods in nutrient-dense forms contain essential vitamins and minerals and also dietary fiber including some naturally occurring substances that might have positive health effects. In some cases, fortified foods and dietary supplements might be quite useful in providing one or more nutrients that might be consumed in less-than-recommended amounts.