Carnipure Increases Muscular Carnitine

BASEL, SwitzerlandLong-term supplementation with L-carnitine (as Carnipure tartrate, from Lonza), in conjunction with intake of carbohydrates, increases muscular L-carnitine levels in recreational athletes, according to a new study. Researchers from the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nottingham Medical School, England, published their findings in the Journal of Physiology (589.4 (2011) pp 963-973).

Paul Greenhaff, Ph.D., lead author of the study, said the research was groundbreaking. This is the first study in healthy humans showing that muscle L-Carnitine content can be influenced by dietary means and that L-Carnitine dual role in skeletal muscle fuel metabolism during exercise that is dependent on exercise intensity, he explained. According to the research results, increasing muscle L-Carnitine content during low intensity exercise led to glycogen sparing and increased fatty acid oxidation. In high intensity exercise it led to a decrease in anaerobic energy production, including a decrease in muscle lactate accumulation. Also, during a performance test, L-Carnitine supplementation resulted in lower perceived exertion as well as increased work output. This novel technology is patent pending by the University of Nottingham.

While previous studies showed Carnipure can increase fatty acid oxidation in a non-athletic population, the current study is the first to show the same effect in recreational athletes. Based on these findings, scientists theorized Carnipure supplementation may lead to a decrease in the production of free radicals, tissue damage and muscle soreness after exercise. Thus, Carnipuremay be a great fit for sports nutrition products supporting both exercise performance as well as the subsequent recovery process.