L-Carnitine L-Tartrate Inhibits Gestational Diabetes

VIENNA, Austria--Intake of L-carnitine L-tartrate during pregnancy may thwart a sequence of reactions leading to gestational diabetes, according to a study published in Chemical Monthly (136, 8:1523-1533, 2005).

Scientists from the University of Vienna noted deficiency of carnitine in pregnant women from the 12th week of gestation through delivery leads to down-regulation of expression of certain enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism; low mRNA levels of these enzymes promotes an increase in free fatty acid levels conducive to insulin resistance. The researchers found supplementation with L-carnitine tartrate (as L-Carnipure® from Lonza) increased relative mRNA levels of these enzymes in pregnant women.

In a release on the findings, Lonza noted there appears to be increasing evidence that L-carnitine may play an important role during pregnancy, particularly in women following a meat-reduced or vegetarian diet.