Carnitine Proven Safe

WASHINGTON--Regular supplementation of 2,000 mg daily of the amino acid-like compound L-carnitine is safe, according to a new safety assessment conducted by two Ph.D.s from the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). Levels above 2,000 mg daily may also be safe without side effects, but long-term safety studies are not sufficient, according to the risk assessment findings published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology (ePub Aug. 8 ahead of print, 2006). Clinical trials have been conducted examining the effects of carnitine supplementation on weight loss and energy balance. But regarding safety, systematic evaluation of the research designs and data do not provide a basis for risk assessment and the usual safe upper level (UL) of intake derived from it, unless the newer methods described as the observed safety level (OSL) or highest observed intake are utilized.