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The Science Behind Carnitine: The Ultimate Fitness Fuel
Written by: Our Editorial Team
Last updated: 12/10/2023
Exploring the Science Behind Carnitine: The Ultimate Fitness Fuel
Carnitine is essential for all life on Earth. This amino acid, originally identified in muscle tissue in 1905, is a fundamental player in the field of energy and metabolism. As a supplement, injectable carnitine has emerged as a heavy-hitter in the health optimization space due to its ability to exert many benefits, from exercise performance to heart health.
Fatty Acid Metabolism
To understand the utility of injectable Carnitine for heart health, we must first understand β-oxidation. β-oxidation is the mechanism by which the body utilizes fatty acids as a fuel source. Fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to be used as energetic substrates for ATP production.
Think of the mitochondrial matrix (MM) like an exclusive club. Short and medium-chain fatty acids are VIP guests. They’re permitted to cut the line as they easily permeate through the membrane. Long-chain fatty acids twiddle their thumbs waiting in line, until they link up with Carnitine and gain access. (1)
Many individuals report improvement in exercise endurance, performance, and recovery as a result of injectable carnitine supplementation. This may result from carnitine’s ability to expedite the utilization of fatty acids as a fuel source. Not only is there an acute performance benefit but injectable carnitine has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk markers such as LDL, oxLDL, ApoB, and hsCRP. (2)
Recent research has elucidated a potential link between carnitine supplementation and improved outcomes for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Impaired β-oxidation of fatty acids is a key compounding factor in the pathogenesis of fatty liver. Through upregulation of fatty-acid metabolism, exogenous carnitine may become a staple of functional liver health protocols. (3, 4)
Androgen Receptor Upregulation
Carnitine supplementation may assist in optimizing hormone pathways through an often overlooked mechanism. Conversations around testosterone fixate heavily on the quantitative amount of serum testosterone, whereby total testosterone is the proxy marker for hormone secretion.
Total testosterone is an incredibly worthwhile marker but the missing variable is oftentimes the androgen receptor (AR) itself. Hormones don’t exist in a vacuum. Their effects are mediated through their designated receptors. If hormone activity at the receptor site is impaired, you may not get the most out of your testosterone.
Foreign currency exchange is a great way to conceptualize this easily:
You have five dollars. In a major metropolitan area like New York City or Los Angeles, you may need more than five dollars to get you a decent cup of coffee. However, if you take that same five dollars to Thailand, you can get a full-course meal. In this case, the amount of money is consistent, but the distance you can go with the same amount varies substantially.
Two men with identical blood work on paper can often feel wildly different symptomatically. In many cases, interindividual variability in androgen receptor mechanics are at play. L-carnitine can upregulate both the density and sensitivity of AR’s, allowing your endogenous or exogenous testosterone to go further. (5)
Mitochondrial Function
If you remember anything from high school biology, it's likely that “the mitochondria is the cell's powerhouse.” Drilled into our brain through repetition, this axiom speaks to an important truth. Mitochondrial health is a foundational pillar of sustainable health success.
“Conditions like neurodegenerative disease, insulin resistance, endocrine imbalances, liver and kidney disease are intimately linked to metabolic disorders or inflexibility and to mitochondrial dysfunction.”
Carnitine is a key nutrient for optimal mitochondrial function and metabolic flexibility. This yields fruit across multiple body systems. Carnitine has been shown to significantly improve sperm motility in men and oocyte activity in women, making it a high-leverage therapeutic for couples with fertility goals. (6, 7)
Injectable Carnitine vs Oral Carnitine
Carnitine, a nutrient found in animal products, offers numerous health benefits, but achieving optimal levels through diet alone is challenging. While oral supplementation is an option, it's limited by the gut bacteria's conversion of carnitine into Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) – a molecule linked to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, injectable carnitine, bypassing this digestive process, provides a safer and more effective way to boost carnitine levels to achieve the benefits above.
Marek Health is committed to staying up to date on advancements in the world of disease prevention and total human optimization. If you want to learn more about how you can stay on top of your health, schedule an appointment with a Health Coach HERE.
Sources
L-Carnitine supplementation reduces oxidized LDL cholesterol in patients with diabetes
Metabolic dysregulation and emerging therapeutical targets for hepatocellular carcinoma
Androgenic responses to resistance exercise: effects of feeding and L-carnitine
l-carnitine and l-acetylcarnitine supplementation for idiopathic male infertility.