carnitine supplementation may have an effect on fat loss

JudoJosh

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[h=1]Skeletal muscle carnitine loading increases energy expenditure, modulates fuel metabolism gene networks and prevents body fat accumulation in humans.[/h][h=3]Abstract[/h]
  Twelve weeks of daily l-carnitine and carbohydrate feeding in humans increases skeletal muscle total carnitine content, and prevents body mass accrual associated with carbohydrate feeding alone. Here we determined the influence of L-carnitine and carbohydrate feeding on energy metabolism, body fat mass and muscle expression of fuel metabolism genes. Twelve males exercised at 50% maximal oxygen consumption for 30 min once before and once after 12 weeks of twice daily feeding of 80 g carbohydrate (Control, n=6) or 1.36 g L-carnitine + 80 g carbohydrate (Carnitine, n=6). Maximal carnitine palmitolytransferase 1 (CPT1) activity remained similar in both groups over 12 weeks. However, whereas muscle total carnitine, long-chain acyl-CoA and whole-body energy expenditure did not change over 12 weeks in Control, they increased in Carnitine by 20%, 200% and 6%, respectively (P<0.05). Moreover, body mass and whole-body fat mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) increased over 12 weeks in Control by 1.9 and 1.8 kg, respectively (P<0.05), but did not change in Carnitine. Seventy-three of 187 genes relating to fuel metabolism were upregulated in Carnitine vs. Control after 12 weeks, with 'insulin signalling', 'peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signalling' and 'fatty acid metabolism' as the three most enriched pathways in gene functional analysis. In conclusion, increasing muscle total carnitine in healthy humans can modulate muscle metabolism, energy expenditure and body composition over a prolonged period, which is entirely consistent with a carnitine-mediated increase in muscle long-chain acyl-group translocation via CPT1. Implications to health warrant further investigation, particularly in obese individuals who have a reduced reliance on muscle fat oxidation during low-intensity exercise.
FT - Skeletal muscle carnitine loading increases energy expenditure, modulates fuel metabolism gene networks and prevents body fat accumulation in humans

Carnitine supplementation prevented weight gain possibly by increased fat oxidation.
 

mr.cooper69

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I don't think it's a "may." Carnitine definitely improves fat loss...there are 3-4 pretty good studies out there right now in humans, not to mention a TON of rodent data (ok, they're not humans, but they are certainly a model, and the evidence is astounding).

The primary issue is supplementing carnitine correctly. Combining it with something insulinogenic, an insulin mimetic, and/or a choline source is probably your best bet (the insulinogenic species/GDA needs to be co-ingested; the choline can be taken at any point throughout the day).
 
JudoJosh

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I have been recently looking into it for fatloss. Just got some injecteable carnitine that I will begin playing with. I have a thread on this on our other board
 

mr.cooper69

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I have been recently looking into it for fatloss. Just got some injecteable carnitine that I will begin playing with. I have a thread on this on our other board
I don't understand the logic with injectable carnitine. It has great oral bioavailability and an awesome plasma halflife. The issue is getting it into the muscle cell, not into the bloodstream.
 
JudoJosh

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I don't understand the logic with injectable carnitine. It has great oral bioavailability and an awesome plasma halflife. The issue is getting it into the muscle cell, not into the bloodstream.
lol.. Adel asked the same exact question. Carnitine is around >20% if im not mistaken right? Yea oral carnitine + insulin (or something insulinogenic) would result in increased whole body carnitine retention. Let me see if I can dig up references to the two statements I just made to doublecheck myself
 
jjobe6

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For fat loss is just plain l-carnitine best? What about lclt?
 
rob112

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This is confusing. First it is sold widely for fat loss, then we are all told based off of evidence that people who are healthy and have adequate amounts will receive no weight loss benefit, and now it is good again. Science and Mother Nature are duking it out on this one.

Anyways, in for any more possible discussion.
 
JudoJosh

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Definitely stack it with slin. It's otherwise worthless. In fact, the same increase in muscle carnitine levels can be reached within hours (instead of months with oral supplementation ) if you pin them together!
The plan is carnitine + slin + choline
 
JudoJosh

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Choline increases retention

Choline supplementation reduces urinary carnitine excretion in humans.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementary choline and/or pantothenate on the carnitine and lipid status of free-living humans. Analyses of carnitine and cholesterol fractions, triacylglycerols, and creatinine were determined in serum and/or urine. In experiment 1, adults receiving 13.5 mmol choline plus 1.4 mmol pantothenate/d had a significant decline in urinary carnitine excretion and renal clearance with nonesterfied carnitine (NEC) declining the most dramatically, 84%. Additionally, serum NEC and total carnitine concentrations decreased significantly. No changes were observed in any of the serum lipids examined. In experiment 2, subjects took 0.20 mmol and 0.02 mmol/kg choline or pantothenate, respectively. Choline, but not pantothenate, supplementation significantly decreased urinary carnitine excretion, renal clearance, and fractional clearance of NEC. We conclude that supplementary choline maintained serum carnitine concentrations by conserving urinary carnitine. Moreover, these observations merit additional investigation to determine metabolic and functional consequences of choline and carnitine interactions in humans.
and the addition of choline to carnitine may assist with fat loss

Carnitine and choline supplementation with exercise alter carnitine profiles, biochemical markers of fat metabolism and serum leptin concentration in healthy women.

Abstract
We sought to determine the effects of supplementary choline, carnitine and a combination of the two with or without exercise on serum and urinary carnitine and biochemical markers of fatty acid oxidation in healthy humans. Nineteen women were placed in three groups: 1) placebo, choline or carnitine preloading period of 1 wk followed by 2) supplementation with choline plus carnitine during wk 2-wk 3 and 3) all groups exercised in wk 3. Although there were no changes in the placebo group, serum and urinary carnitine decreased in the choline-supplemented group during wk 1. Introduction of carnitine to the choline group restored serum and urinary carnitine. Serum and urinary carnitine increased during wk 1 in the carnitine-supplemented group and, although the introduction of choline to this group depressed serum and urinary carnitine, they remained significantly greater than control. Serum beta-hydroxybutyrate and serum as well as urinary acetylcarnitine were elevated by the supplements. A mild exercise regimen increased the concentration of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate, and serum and urinary acylcarnitines; it also decreased serum leptin concentrations in all groups. The effects of supplements were sustained until wk 2 after cessation of choline plus carnitine supplementation and exercise. We conclude that the choline-induced decrease in serum and urinary carnitine is buffered by carnitine preloading, and these supplements shift tissue partitioning of carnitine that favors fat mobilization, incomplete oxidation of fatty acids and disposal of their carbons in urine as acylcarnitines in humans.
Angelbolic, do you have experience with carnitine use? I have heard from others that have used it is similar to what you said (it really shines when doing cardio)
 
aaronuconn

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Does anyone have the full text to see how much the actual increase in energy expenditure is? Whole-body energy expenditure increasing by 6% isn't much.
 
jinxie

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Definitely stack it with slin. It's otherwise worthless. In fact, the same increase in muscle carnitine levels can be reached within hours (instead of months with oral supplementation ) if you pin them together!
I have to agree with this, having taken ALCAR orally for a solid year, at a good dose, without noticing a meaningful difference.

JJ, will you be injecting AiCAR? This is what I've heard great things about. I believe several on the other board have experimented with it, most notably Ras.

Look forward to hearing of your experiences and will be following, i.e., sub'd. You running a log here? I just started one, FWIW.

I always welcome your fine contributions.
 

mr.cooper69

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I've tried several carnitine forms in isolation and in multi-ingredient formulas [ie. SuperPump Max] but never really noticed anything from it.

Been wanting to do Greenhaff's protocol for a very long time, but it's just not practical for me. Too expensive [almost 50 bucks/month for some damn carnitine] and I'd have to ingest it twice a day with 80g of quick carbs or a carb/protein mixture. No thanks, Jeff.

It's definitely intriguing research though. Potentially the biggest breakthrough in sports supplements since creatine IMHO.
The magnitude of effect will be greatest in those who endurance train, as that is the type of activity in which the substrate shift would be most profound.
 

cbsharpe

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So Coop, since you mentioned that this would be good for those who endurance train, would this not be for those, like myself, who strength trains?
 
JudoJosh

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Carnitine supplementation is still beneficial
 

mr.cooper69

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So Coop, since you mentioned that this would be good for those who endurance train, would this not be for those, like myself, who strength trains?
It works for anyone. The studies shows it increases calories burnt at rest, which is a reflection of the fact that b-oxidation is always occuring. I was simply stating that the magnitude of this particular pathway is amplified during endurance training and/or prolonged fasting
 

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