L-Carnitine (Burn Fat!)
07/08 -
from "Rust Out" by Dr Bailey page 82
Without L-carnitine the body cannot burn fat. L-carnitine transports fat (long-chain fatty acids) into the power house of the cell (mitochondria) so it can be burned for energy, instead of being stored as fat. The body synthesizes L-carnitine from two simple amino acids, lysine and methionine. This process takes place in the liver and kidneys, and requires vitamins: C, B-3 (niacin), B-6 (pyridoxine), and iron. L-carnitine can also be found in yeast, wheat germ, breads, cauliflower and peanuts. Several researchers have suggested that some overweight people may not fully utilize the L-carnitine that their body manufactures, consequently they must rely on supplemental L-carnitine to successfully reduce body fat.
Those that are at risk for L-carnitine deficiency include: premature infants, heart disease patients, diabetes, the chronically ill, the physically active, dialysis patients, those on intravenous liquid diets, those with low blood sugars (hypoglycemia), cancer patients, and the elderly. Those people on carnitine-deficient diets experienced high levels of blood fats (triglycerides) until their diets were supplemented with it. L-carnitine is involved with these metabolic processes:
1. Controlling the amount of sugar the body makes from protein.
2. Breaking down specific amino acids for protein metabolism.
3. Transporting signals between cells in the brain.
4. Lowering serum cholesterol and triglycerides.
5. Reversing some of the harmful effects on the immune system from IV (Hyper-Alimentation) hospital diets.
6. Boosting endurance.
7. Lowering recovery pulse rate after exercise.
8. Burning body fat more efficiently.
9. Sperm maturation and mobility.
10. Protecting weak or diseased hearts from ventricular arrhythmias (a life threatening electrical short circuit of the heart).
Current recommended dosage: Take two L-carnitine 500 milligrams (mg) with each meal. Decrease your dosage if you feel: dizzy, stomach distress, restless, or hyperactive.
Reference:
Haas, R., “Eat to Succeed,” Rawson Ass., 1986; 27-35.
Johnson, D., “Feel 30 for the next 50 years,” Avon Books, 1998.
Guyton & Hall, “Lipid Metabolism,” Textbook of Medical Physiology, 9th Ed., 1996: 867.
