Nutrient L-Carnitine May Energize Heart Mus

[Guest guest]

(Heart problems treatment should include CoQ-10, vitamin E, vitamin C and many

other nutrients. It is not a one problem, one nutrient solution. Frank)

 

http://healthy.net/scr/article.asp?PageType=Article & id=2307

 

Fuel Your Heart – Keep the Beat Strong

 

 

Nutrient L-Carnitine May Energize Heart Muscle

L-Carnitine InfoCenter

 

 

 

 

The heartbeat is essential to life because it propels oxygen- and nutrition-rich

blood to tissues throughout the body. To maintain a healthy heartbeat, hundreds

of research studies every year look at disease prevention measures – including

supplementation with nutrients like L-Carnitine (ehl-car-nih-teen) – that may

spare the heart from disease. Still, conditions like coronary heart disease and

congestive heart failure (CHF) affect nearly 18 million Americans.1

The heart requires an abundant supply of energy for proper function and disease

prevention. In fact the heart derives about 70 percent of its energy from the

burning of fatty acids.2 Since the nutrient L-Carnitine is responsible for

shuttling fatty acids into the powerhouse of our cells, where they can be burned

for fuel, the heart is consequently dependent on L-Carnitine for most of its

energy production.3

L-Carnitine is a cofactor in metabolism, without which, our metabolic cycle will

pass over fats and seek out carbohydrates as a energy source, which are short

lived, and protein from muscle tissue, our least efficient energy resource. As

the body resorts to protein as a resource for energy, all our muscles, including

the heart itself, are at risk of weakening.

Research shows that L-Carnitine, as an adjunct to traditional medical therapy,

may protect the heart in several ways and over time. The following research

examples suggest that L-Carnitine may reduce incidence of chest pain (angina)

and/or the extent of muscle damage caused by a heart attack. For those people

with exercise-induced angina, it may also help increase tolerance to exercise –

also well-known to benefit heart health – by increasing the length of time

people can exercise before the onset of chest pain.

Reducing/Eliminating Chest Pain; Increasing Exercise Tolerance

Several scientists have studied the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on

frequency and severity of anginal pain. Dr. Cacciatore studied patients with

previously diagnosed exercise-induced angina for six months. Given 2,000

milligrams (mg) of L-Carnitine per day, he observed them for irregular heartbeat

patterns (arrhythmias) and their tolerance to exercise. He found that his

supplemented subjects showed both significant and progressive improvement in

cardiac function and quality of life during the six months of treatment.4

Cherchi and Kamikawa reported similar observational studies of men with

exercise-induced angina who both increased their total exercise workload and the

time it took for their usual symptoms of angina or heartbeat malfunctions to

occur.5, 6 Cherchi also saw 22 percent of his patients become free of angina

altogether.

Sparing Muscle After a Heart Attack

Similarly, though the mechanisms of action are unknown, L-Carnitine

administration may also spare invaluable heart muscle loss in the days and

months following a heart attack. Dr. Singh has studied the effect of

supplementing cardiac patients with L-Carnitine immediately following a heart

attack. Incidence of angina, arrhythmia, cardiac events including non-fatal

heart attacks and cardiac deaths for the first 28 days post-heart attack were

significantly less frequent in the L-Carnitine supplemented group, when compared

with a placebo group.7 Strengthening these findings, Jacoba monitored post-heart

attack patients for three months following their heart attack. His subjects’

heart strength was monitored via resting stress test after a one-month recovery

period and again after another two months of supplementation with 3,000 mg of

L-Carnitine per day. His findings show that the extent of heart muscle viability

was greater in the supplemented patients than those receiving placebo.8

In a longer-term study, similar in design, Davini studied patients with

L-Carnitine supplementation (4,000 mg of L-Carnitine per day) for 12 months

post-heart attack. Throughout the study period, the subjects given L-Carnitine

showed an improvement in heart rate, blood pressure, anginal attacks,

arrhythmias, heart beat strength and lower incidence of mortality (1.2 percent

compared with 12.5 percent among the control group). 9

Improving the Heart Pump in Congestive Heart Failure

In people who already have weak or damaged hearts such as those with CHF,

L-Carnitine may help to improve their outcome in two ways. First, because

L-Carnitine supports efficient energy generation from fat, supplementing CHF

patients with the nutrient may provide the compromised heart with power to beat

more efficiently. In addition, efficient energy production from fat could help

forgo the risk of weakening the heart further; a risk because the body uses

short-lived carbohydrates for energy, after which, it seeks out protein in

muscle, putting the heart muscle itself at risk of being broken down for energy.

This risk is reduced when fat resources are efficiently utilized.

Three studies in particular monitored subjects with chronic CHF both with and

without L-Carnitine supplementation. Each found a beneficial effect on the

heart; each in different ways. Dr. Steger observed improved heart pumping action

at supplemental levels of 3,000 mg of L-Carnitine per day.10 Kobayashi found

overall improved heart condition and improved tolerance to activity with

supplemental levels of 900 mg per day.11 Dr. Ghidini studied the effect of 2,000

mg of L-Carnitine per day and reported reduced heart rates, less inappropriate

bodily collection of fluid (edema), increased ability for the body to rid itself

of extra fluid and less shortness of breath.12

Where Is L-Carnitine Found?

L-Carnitine is produced in small quantities in the human body (approximately 20

mg of L-Carnitine is produced daily), but this amount is equivalent to only

about 10 percent of the nutrient used daily by the average person and only a

fraction of the amount needed by people with cardiac illness. In addition, a

daily diet including two to three servings of lean meat such as lamb and beef as

recommended in the food guide pyramid, can provide approximately 100-300 mg of

L-Carnitine. 13, 14

However, in order to reap the benefits of cardiac protection, additional

L-Carnitine may be needed, typically above the level that can be obtained

through eating L-Carnitine rich foods. Supplemental L-Carnitine is usually seen

as a single nutrient or in formulations marketed for enhancement of exercise and

metabolism. Single nutrient supplements generally contain levels associated with

health benefits, offering a range between 250-500 milligrams of L-Carnitine.

Health food stores, pharmacies and supermarkets throughout the U.S. carry

L-Carnitine supplements.

 

 

 

Lonza, Inc. founded the L-Carnitine InfoCenter to provide credible and reliable

information on L-Carnitine for health professionals, educators and

communicators. Lonza manufactures pharmaceutical grade L-Carnitine, approved by

an Expert Panel as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Additional information

can be found in the Human Nutrition center at www.carnitine.com.

References:

 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Center for Health

Statistics. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats: 4/3/03.

Famularo G, et al. Chapter 6. In: Carnitine Today. Landes Bioscience. USA.

1997.

Bremer J. Chapter 2. In: The Carnitine System. A New Therapeutical Approach

to Cardiovascular Diseases. Kluwer Academy Publishers, The Netherlands. 1995

Cacciatore L, et al. The therapeutic effect of L-Carnitine in patients with

exercise-induced stable angina: a controlled study. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1991.

18(4): Pp 355.

Cherchi A, et al. Effects of L-Carnitine on exercise tolerance in chronic

stable angina: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled

crossover study. Int J Clin Pharm Ther Tox 1991. 23(10); Pp 569-572.

Kamikawa T, et al. Effects of L-Carnitine on exercise tolerance in patients

with stable angina pectoris. Jpn Heart J 1984. 25(4): Pp 587-597.

Singh R, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of

L-Carnitine in suspected acute myocardial infarction. Postgrad Med J 1996. 72:

Pp 45-50.

Jacoba K, et al. Effect of L-Carnitine on the limitation of infarct size in

one-month postmyocardial infarction cases. Clin Drug Invest 1996. 11(2): Pp

90-96.

Davini P, et al. Controlled study on L-Carnitine therapeutic efficacy in

post-infarction. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1992. 18(8): Pp 355-365.

Steger T, et al. 1996. Effects of L-Carnitine on left ventricular function in

patients with chronic heart failure. In Carnitine – Pathobiochemical Basics and

Clinical Applications. Ponte Press, Germany.

Kobayashi A, et al. L-Carnitine treatment for congestive heart failure:

experimental and clinical study. Jpn Circ J 1992. 56: Pp 86-94.

Ghidini O, et al. Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of L-Carnitine in

congestive heart failure. Int J Clin Pharm Ther Tox 1988. 26: Pp 217-220.

Leibovitz, B et al 1993. J Opt Nut. 2:90.

DiPalma. L-Carnitine: Its Therapeutic Potential

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW WEB MESSAGE BOARDS - JOIN HERE.

Alternative Medicine Message Boards.Info

http://alternative-medicine-message-boards.info

 

 

 

The New with improved product search