Lysine & L-carnitine

[Guest guest]

L-CARNITINE

 

L-Carnitine is a derivative of the amino acid, lysine.

Its name is derived from the fact that it was first

isolated from meat (carnus) in 1905. Because

L-carnitine appeared to act as a vitamin in the

mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), it was called vitamin BT.

Vitamin BT turned out to be a misnomer when scientists

discovered that humans and other higher organisms

synthesize L-carnitine. Under certain conditions, the

demand for L-carnitine may exceed an individual's

capacity to synthesize it, making it a conditionally

essential nutrient (1).

 

FUNCTION

 

L-Carnitine is synthesized primarily in the liver and

also in the kidneys, and must be transported to other

tissues. It is most concentrated in tissues that use

fatty acids as their primary dietary fuel, such as

skeletal and cardiac (heart) muscle. In this regard,

L-carnitine plays an important role in energy

production by chaperoning activated fatty acids

(acyl-CoA) into the mitochondrial matrix for

metabolism and chaperoning intermediate compounds out

of the mitochondrial matrix to prevent their

accumulation.

 

 

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/carnitine/

 

* * *

 

The essential amino acid lysine is consistently at a

much lower concentration in all major plant-food

protein groups than in animal foods. Since lysine is

the limiting amino acid, the addition of limited

amounts of lysine to cereal diets improves their

protein quality. Studies in Peru and Guatemala have

demonstrated that growing children benefited by this

addition. In addition, the sulphur-containing amino

acids are distinctly lower in legumes and fruits and

threonine is lower in cereals compared with amounts

found in proteins of animal origin.

 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md6.htm

 

* * *

 

Sources

Many foods supply lysine, but the richest sources by

far include red meats, fish, and dairy products (milk,

eggs, cheese). Vegetables, on the other hand, are

generally a poor source of lysine, with the exception

of legumes (beans, peas, lentils).

 

 

http://www.diagnose-me.com/data/Lysine_Arginine_Food_List.html

 

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice & dbid=142

 

http://www.livrite.com/nc/wholegrains.htm

 

[My note: nuts high in lysine...

 

brazil nuts, sesame seeds, almonds, pea nuts, hazel

nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds ( & squash), macadamia

nuts, and pistachios.]

 

=====

[...there'll be love and laughter,

and peace ever after,

just you wait and see...

---Vera Lynn]

 

 

 

 

 

Mail - Easier than ever with enhanced search. Learn more.

http://info.mail./mail_250