Your body produces an amino acid called L-carnitine in the liver and kidneys and uses it to convert fat into energy. Normally, your body can produce all the L-carnitine it needs, but some heart or vascular diseases can lead to low levels of L-carnitine. Your body may not be able to produce enough L-carnitine, or transport it to used tissues. Before taking L-carnitine supplements, consult a health care professional.
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L-carnitine and disease
L-carnitine plays an antioxidant role, a substance against harmful particles in human body called free radicals. Free radicals - from normal aging, exposure to pollutants and toxins - can cause damage to your body's cells. L-carnitine is used in many heart diseases, such as heart failure and angina, or chest pain, as well as peripheral vascular diseases and diabetic neuropathy. It can also be used for nephropathy, Alzheimer's disease and male impotence.
L-carnitine is found in many foods, including red meat, dairy products, fish, poultry, wheat, asparagus, avocado and peanut butter. It is also provided in a supplementary form. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the recommended dose is usually 1 to 3 grams per day. Side effects of L-carnitine are usually mild. More than 5 grams a day may cause diarrhea, and occasionally you may have increased appetite, taste or rash.
L-carnitine and hypertension are potentially serious diseases that may lead to heart failure or stroke if untreated. Medical treatment of hypertension usually includes lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and may also include medication. Many drugs are used to treat hypertension in different ways. Diuretics reduce blood pressure by reducing the amount of fluid in the body. Other drugs can dilate your blood vessels or alter the body's chemical composition. L-carnitine can also lower your blood pressure. In a study published in June 2010 in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, L-carnitine significantly reduced blood pressure in hypertensive rats. A study reported in the Asian Daily on February 2010 found that intravenous L-carnitine could significantly reduce blood pressure and improve exercise endurance in patients with pulmonary hypertension. A study published in September 2009 in the Journal of Hypertension found that taking one gram of L-carnitine twice a day reduced blood pressure in patients with increased cardiovascular risk.
Notes and Warnings
Although L-carnitine has relatively few side effects, it can reduce blood pressure. If you're taking antihypertensive drugs, adding L-carnitine may reduce your blood pressure too much. Before you begin taking L-carnitine, consult a medical professional, especially if you have taken hypertension drugs.