The significance of carnitine administration in vegetarian

Specialized journal (electronic version) of the month of nutrition, clinical research that has examined the work of L- carnitine supplementation in vegetarians, had been reported from a group of Switzerland. (Eur J Nutr. 2015 Jan 23.) Carnitine, an amino acid derivative, and abundant in meat (lamb) and dairy products. Carnitine (L- carnitine) is a functional component necessary for the metabolism of fat. (Long chain fatty acids, enters the mitochondria by binding to L- carnitine.) In the study of L- carnitine, lowering effect of neutral fat and VLDL cholesterol, suppression of fat accumulation in the liver, motility improving action, such as weight loss in obesity, it has been shown variety of work. For example, Enhancement of the exercise useful capacity by carnitine @ athlete Also known study called. Moreover, in certain pathological conditions, also be combined with treatment. For example, the effect of renal disease patients to cytopenia, improvement of metabolism in diabetes patients, symptom improvement of chronic fatigue syndrome patients, such as an auxiliary therapy of interferon therapy for hepatitis C has been reported. In particular, the condition undergoing chronic hemodialysis by renal failure is known to damage by carnitine deficiency, intake of L- carnitine is recommended. 95% of the body of carnitine, is localized in skeletal muscle, It is acting in the energy metabolism. Vegetarian, Compared to non-vegetarian, Intake of carnitine and carnitine precursor from the diet is small, Blood carnitine value is low value. In this study, For the non-vegetarian group of vegetarian men and the control group, Before and after administration of L- carnitine supplements, Carnitine levels in blood and skeletal muscle, Impact on the motility has been verified. In particular, Vegetarian 16 people, When For two groups of non-vegetarian eight, L- carnitine supplements (2g / day) has been administered for 12 weeks. As a result of the analysis, Before carnitine supplementation, In the vegetarian group, Compared to non-vegetarian group, Although blood carnitine value was 10% lower value, Carnitine value of skeletal muscle had been maintained. Also, (Is a creatine phosphorylated, energy storage in skeletal muscle) creatine phosphate in skeletal muscle, ATP, glycogen, the value of the lactic acid, No significant difference was observed between the vegetarian group and the non-vegetarian group. At the time of exercise Maximum oxygen uptake / VO2max and which is an index of the endurance of the whole body, for the workload per body weight, no significant difference between the two groups was not observed. Even one hour of exercise in the exercise intensity of 75% VO2max, respiratory quotient and blood lactate values, with respect to metabolites in muscle, the difference between the two groups was not observed. By L- carnitine supplements, A significant rise in blood carnitine value, (Non-vegetarian group; 24%, vegetarian group; 31% s) A significant rise in the vegetarian group of carnitine value in skeletal muscle (13%) was found. However, Despite this increase VO2max and workload P max, muscle creatine phosphate, lactic acid, does not show significant changes even after administration in glycogen value. From the above data, In vegetarian men, Compared to the non-vegetarian, Although blood carnitine value is a low value, The motility of carnitine and skeletal muscle in skeletal muscle is suggested that the difference is not observed. In the future, it is the field of verification of clinical significance is expected.