L-Carnitine in Action
L-Carnitine
- is a substance related to vitamin B, responsible for the transport and breakdown of fats, thus contributing to the reduction of fat content. It also lowers cholesterol levels in the vessels, improves myocardial metabolism, and has neuroprotective effects. The popularity of L-Carnitine is growing before our eyes. Its important role in the fat breakdown process and energy production allows it to be actively used for weight loss and improving athletic performance. The results of the latest studies suggest that it is also an important assistant for elderly people.
The study of L-Carnitine began more than a century ago. In 1905, biochemists V. S. Gulevich and R. P. Krimberg first isolated this substance from muscle tissue, and in 1927 its chemical structure was established. In the 1950s, it was proven that L-Carnitine is a compound related to B vitamins and accelerates the oxidation of fats in the "energy stations" of the cell - mitochondria. Part of L-Carnitine is synthesized by the body in the liver, while part comes from food (for example, from meat, fish, poultry). Gradually, other functions of this compound were established - antioxidant, neuroprotective, etc. Over the years, scientists' interest in L-Carnitine has not waned, and the number of related publications has constantly increased. This process continues today, as L-Carnitine has firmly entered health practices and is produced as a dietary supplement.
Strong Muscles, Active Movements
With age, due to natural changes in the body, the amount of muscle mass decreases (doctors call this process sarcopenia). As activity decreases, a kind of vicious circle develops: a sedentary lifestyle - less appetite - fewer incoming nutrients - less muscle mass - muscle weakness - even less movement. Additionally, the intake of nutrients into the body may decrease for other reasons - for example, due to gastrointestinal disorders and impaired absorption function of the intestines, which is often observed in older age. Here, L-Carnitine can prove to be extremely useful, as it has the property well known to athletes and bodybuilders - to increase muscle mass. Research shows that taking L-Carnitine increases the production of the body's own anabolic hormones - in particular, testosterone and insulin-like growth factor, thereby contributing to an increase in muscle tissue volume. It is also included in many meso cocktails, combines excellently with caffeine (an effective lipolytic that promotes the breakdown of fat cells) and procaine (a spasmolytic). L-Carnitine can also be administered through injections in pure form in anti-cellulite programs.
More Energy
The most well-known ability of L-Carnitine is to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria for their breakdown and energy production. If we imagine that the mitochondrion is a power station, then fatty acid molecules can be considered the fuel necessary for its operation. But for transporting fuel, wagons are needed, and this is the role played by L-Carnitine molecules. It is clear that without the normal operation of the transport system, the "fuel" will accumulate in the "warehouses" (in fat deposits), and energy will be produced insufficiently.
The ability of L-Carnitine to increase the body's energy resources has influenced many aspects of health. It enhances endurance and the adaptive potential of the body, helps resist chronic stress, strengthens immunity, and reduces muscle weakness, which often occurs in older age. Each year, L-Carnitine finds wider application in the practice of cardiologists, neurologists, gastroenterologists, and doctors of other specialties.
Helping the Heart
L-Carnitine can improve the health of elderly people suffering from heart diseases. Cardiac pathologies are associated with changes in the lipid profile of the blood and an increase in the concentration of so-called low-density lipoproteins, leading to an increased risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation and subsequent complications in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. By involving fatty acids in the oxidation and energy production process, L-Carnitine reduces their availability for the synthesis of lipoproteins. Numerous clinical studies have proven that taking L-Carnitine reliably lowers levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins, thereby significantly improving the functioning of the heart muscle. As is known, ischemic heart disease is associated not only with hyperlipidemia but also with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Lipid peroxidation triggers cascade reactions that form free radicals, which damage cell membranes and other biological structures and initiate chronic inflammation processes (which are now considered one of the most important factors in accelerated aging). Here, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of L-Carnitine are particularly in demand. Since it participates in the process of binding free radicals, it thus helps protect tissues (for example, the endothelium) from free radical damage.
L-Carnitine and Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common age-related endocrine pathology, the development of which is closely related to obesity. It is the overload of cells with lipids that causes a decrease in their sensitivity to insulin, while their glucose uptake worsens. Due to hyperlipidemia, as mentioned above, mitochondrial function is impaired, and a cascade of free radical reactions is triggered.
To combat lipid overload, an increased amount of L-Carnitine is necessary, and the usual doses synthesized by the body or obtained from food are insufficient. In this case, it is advisable to take L-Carnitine additionally, in the form of a dietary supplement. In 2013, a group of Spanish endocrinologists published the results of a study involving 284 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. According to their data, taking L-Carnitine led to a significant reduction in levels of glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins.
Protecting the Nervous System
The antioxidant properties of L-Carnitine allow it to be successfully used in the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging, including such formidable ones as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. As is known, the central nervous system is characterized by high metabolic activity and is the largest consumer of oxygen (at rest, the brain consumes up to 20% of the total amount of oxygen, and during active work, significantly more). During active metabolic processes in the brain, a significant amount of free radicals is also synthesized. The blood-brain barrier prevents access to the brain's neurons of some elements of the body's own antioxidant system - for example, vitamin E. All this makes the brain particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. With age, the number of free radicals synthesized in the body increases.
One of the mechanisms of aging is associated with the accumulation of mutations in mitochondrial DNA, resulting in the energy production process in mitochondria becoming less efficient, while the synthesis of active forms of oxygen is activated. Therefore, the additional intake of drugs with antioxidant properties (including L-Carnitine) can be considered a necessary means of preventing many age-related changes. Clinical studies show that patients taking L-Carnitine experience improvements in cognitive abilities and memory, and a reduction in mental fatigue. This likely occurs due to an increase in the resistance of neurons to free radical damage.
L-Carnitine is distinguished not only by a wide range of biological activity and a variety of beneficial effects but also by high safety. Even taking large doses of this substance does not cause negative consequences. Doctors recommend taking it in the first half of the day so that the increased energy level does not interfere with nighttime sleep.
In conclusion, it is necessary to say that L-Carnitine helps solve many problems, including:
has anti-inflammatory effects
strengthens endurance and contributes to increased immunity
reduces cholesterol levels
stimulates fat metabolism
contributes to increased human performance
strengthens capillaries and thus prevents couperosis
significantly reduces swelling and helps the body eliminate toxin accumulation;
If you feel the need to increase muscle mass, lose excess weight, improve heart function, and generally enhance your health, I recommend consulting with the experienced specialist Stevan Lonchar.
You can sign up for a consultation via the link
https://biotonika.com.ua/konsultacija-fitnes-trenera-stevana-lonchar/
or by calling (068) 9862303