What functions does L-Carnitine have in the body?
There are two different forms of carnitine. One distinguishes between L-carnitine, which as a vitamin-like nutrient takes over important functions in the body, which will be explained further below, and the so-called D-carnitine, a health-damaging stereoisomer of L-carnitine. In the case of a supplement administration, i.e. a chemically produced substance, a mixture of the two forms is produced.
L-carnitine plays a special role in the fat metabolism. The body cells themselves have so-called mitochondria, which – for the sake of understanding – can be imagined as energy power plants of the cells. In order for these energy power plants to work properly, they need fatty acids.
However, these fatty acids are not contained in the mitochondria, but must first be transported there. This transport/function is performed by L-carnitine. L-Carnitin attaches itself to the fatty acids and smuggles – in particular also long-chain fatty acids, which could not pass the cell wall of the Mitochondrien alone, – into the Mitochondrien.
L-carnitine is present in a certain way in every body cell. If there is a deficiency of L-carnitine, fewer fatty acids are transported into the mitochondria so that less fat can be converted into energy. In addition to this “transport function” and beyond its key function within fat burning, L-carnitine participates in many biochemical processes of the organism either directly or indirectly.
For example, a medically prescribed dose of L-carnitine can improve blood lipid values and thus have a beneficial effect on existing heart diseases. There is no scientific proof that L-carnitine can cause a reduction in body weight in connection with diets and sport. Depending on the individual synthesis performance, supplementation may be induced.
This is the case, for example, with premature babies who, in addition to the insufficient synthesis performance, are also affected by the low carnitine content of breast milk. Studies also show that pregnant women and endurance athletes often have a (too) low L-carnitine content.In adults, carnitine deficiency usually occurs as a result of synthetic defects. This is the case, for example, with diseases in the kidney area, but also with haemodyalise.