Sports Medicine - a pladoyer for L-Carnitine

L-carnitine takes over an important position on lipid metabolism. It assists the transfer of fatty acids in the cytosol through the membrane of mitochondria in the beta-oxidation. This membrane is normally impermeable for long-fatty acids. But the availability of L-carnitine could be a limiting factor for the rate of oxidation of fat.

Theoretically possible that an increased availability of L-carnitine, athletes may lipid oxidation easier. Leaves you to focus more on fat as an energy resource, it could perhaps save glycogen and increase aerobic capacity. L-carnitine provides for an interesting science research objects because there are numerous studies, which plead for and against an L-carnitine supplementation (see Wilmore, Costill, Kenney, 2007).
Some research show indirect evidence of increased performance by the inclusion of additional L-carnitine, but most have no effect on the fat at all.

Positive studies about L-carnitine intake
Heini Bergmüller led with his athletes a small study on carnitine and he could demonstrate improvement of fat metabolism. It should be noted that he processed stamina workouts in the low fat range of 1 mmol / l.
Perhaps he had successes because of that.
Even experts such as Marconi or Neumann are based on studies of the positive effect of carnitine on revenue of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of muscle convinced.

Studies without demonstrable effect of L-carnitine supplementation
In a study by Colombani et al. , the intake of 2g L-carnitine two hours before and after a 20km-marathon proofed no significant change in the timing. It only led to an increased carnitine levels in the blood, but it had no decisive impact on the carbohydrate or fat metabolism. According to this study, the supplementation of carnitine does not improve performance or improve the capacity for regeneration.

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A recent study in Cologne (Germany) under the direction of Platen investigated the influence of carnitine on the Sprint and Sprint endurance performance. Again, positive effects could not be demonstrated, which is also understandable, because carnitine acts as a transporter for the fatty acids and this pathway is not used at Sprint.

By using L-carnitine aching muscles after training could be reduced
Other studies had positive results with the supplementation of L-carnitine achieve. So scientists at the University of Connecticut found out that the daily intake of L-carnitine by healthy athletes reduced aching muscles after training run. Perhaps this protective effect results on the improved oxygen supply to the muscles.

L-carnitine for weight training athletes
As you can see, the scientists are not unanimous and it has room for further research. For athletes, the force of carnitine supplementation does not make sense, because too little of this pathway is used. For endurance athletes, the addition of L-carnitine improves performance and accelerates regeneration. If you use carnitine supplementation, look for the fact that the optimal effects occurs after 1 1/2 - 2 hours after intake.

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