L-carnitine supplementation can help during aging in multiple ways – study
The study found that without any change in food intake, the old animals showed a decrease in abdominal fat mass and an increase in muscle capabilities.
30/10/08 Research from the University of Dijon, France, adds new evidence that supplementation with Carnipure (l-carnitine) could play a role in supporting healthy aging. A new study released in the October 2008 issue of the Journal of Gerontology demonstrates that supplementation with Carnipure can restore age-decreased L-Carnitine levels in the muscle cells of old rats, restore muscle oxidative capacity and further induce positive changes in body composition. The study found that without any change in food intake, the old animals showed a decrease in abdominal fat mass and an increase in muscle capabilities.
In elderly people both dietary intake of L-Carnitine and the nutrients required for the body to naturally make L-Carnitine are frequently reduced, leading to reduced L-Carnitine levels in various body compartments. This may result in a reduction in energy metabolism. Skeletal muscles constitute the main reservoir of L-Carnitine in the body since they have high energy needs, and L-Carnitine plays an important role in energy generation. Muscle mass and muscle strength tend to decrease with age, which can lead to a reduction in physical ability and may cause adverse metabolic effects. The new study found a statistically significant difference of 34% in muscle L-Carnitine content between young and old rats. This can be restored in the old animals with Carnipure supplementation. Although more research is needed, these findings, combined with additional animal and human research, suggest a potential role for L-Carnitine supplementation in supporting healthy aging.
Generally the capacity for energy generation from fatty acids as measured via β-oxidation rates is reduced in the elderly. Supplementation with Carnipure was found to increase the β-oxidation rate and thus muscle oxidative capacity in old rats by 55%. Also in healthy adults, Carnipure supplementation has been shown to stimulate in vivo long chain fatty acid metabolism.
Body weight in old rats normally increases over time, which was also true for the old rat control group without Carnipure supplementation. In old rats, Carnipure supplementation seemed to limit body weight increase by limiting fat gain and possibly by increasing fatty acid oxidation. At the same time the data clearly showed that food intake is not modified by Carnipure supplementation. These findings support another human trial: one month’s treatment with L-Carnitine in subjects aged from 70 to 92 was found to be associated with a significant increase in total muscle mass, compared with placebo. The total fat mass was reduced at the same time.
“With the world’s elderly population predicted to nearly triple by 2050, it is not surprising that the market for anti-aging foods and supplements will see increased levels of activity and opportunity for manufacturers. Carnipure may help support functions that seniors
need to stay fit and healthy in both mind and body”, says Professor Jean Demarquoy, leading researcher of this study.
Lonza is the only manufacturer of the Carnipure brand of L-Carnitine products including Carnipure tartrate (U.S. Patent 5073376, Japan Patent JP 2546068 and other international patents). Carnipure tartrate consists of 68% pure L-Carnitine and 32% L-tartaric acid and is self affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). Carnipure products are crystalline, white, water-soluble and heat stable which makes them ideal for use in various food and drink applications. In addition, Carnipure tartrate is non-hygroscopic, odorless, has a pleasant citrus taste and excellent flowability. Carnipure products are kosher certified.
