When you look at it’s list of of benefits it sounds almost too good to be true. But it turns out for seniors and for folks with type-2 diabetes, there’s one amino acid supplement that’s a serious multi-tasker.
I’m speaking of l-carnitine whose many study-backed benefits include…
- Improving physical and mental fatigue
- Helping to maintain muscle strength
- Raising levels of the enzymes needed to metabolize carbohydrates
- Delivering omega-3 fatty acids to cell mitochondria
- Sharpening cognitive function
- Helping to protect cells from damage – especially heart cells
And now, there’s evidence of four more ways l-carnitine improves heart health for type 2 diabetics.
L-carnitine reversed oxidative stress in diabetics
Research is finally catching up with the work of the late Dr. Brian Leibovitz who wrote the first book on l-carnitine more than 20 years ago. In fact I think Dr. Leibovitz would be quite pleased about a study out of Italy that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The Italian team recruited 81 type 2 diabetics who were randomly divided into two groups to receive either two grams of l-carnitine daily or a placebo for three months. The objective was to assess the effects of l-carnitine on oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Type 2 diabetes patients are known to suffer from high oxidative stress, which is the true culprit behind cholesterol’s so-called link to heart disease.
The results were quite stunning…
- Decrease in oxidized LDL levels was five times greater in the l-carnitine group compared to placebo
- Decrease in LDL levels was significantly greater in the l-carnitine group
- General oxidative stress was considerably lowered in the l-carnitine group
- Triclyceride levels were also lowered in the l-carnitine group
L-carnitine levels drop as we age
The good news is tour body produces a natural supply of l-carnitine. But the bad news is that supply decreases as you age.
While l-carnitine levels can be enhanced by eating more meat, chicken, fish, and dairy products your body only absorbs about a quarter of l-carnitine supplied by food. So you might want to consider trying a supplement.
Ifyou talk to your doctor and decide that an l-carnitine supplement might be beneficial for you, keep this tip in mind from Healthier Talk contributor Allan Spreen, M.D. Dr. Spreen says you shouldn’t take l- carnitine (or any other amino compound supplement) with a high-protein meal.
Dr. Spreen: “There are a limited number of receptors for protein substances (protein foods are composed of amino acids), so the supplement you paid good money for will be ‘diluted’ by the presence of other proteinaceous substances in the digestive neighborhood. That is not true of most other supplements, which should be taken with food.”
Source:
“L-Carnitine Supplementation Reduces Oxidized LDL Cholesterol in Patients with Diabetes” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 89, No. 1, 1/1/09, ajcn.org
Jenny Thompson is the Director of the Health Sciences Institute and editor of the HSI e-Alert. Through HSI, she and her team uncover important health information and expose ridiculous health misinformation, most notably through the HSI e-Alert.
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My type two diabetes is undercontrol and I take nothing at all!
I also do not eat any foods including margarine, that contain any artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors or preservatives.
The FDA released a document that states Azo dyes are **acutely toxic by any means of delivery. And that they inactivate enzymes produced in our bodies.
Enzymes like Insulin, or those that break down fats (contributing to the obesity epidemic) in our foods.
When those enzymes are inactivated they dont break down the sugars we eat.
Many foods, beverages that contain HFCS 55 are 55% fructose and 45% glucose, baked goods, HFCS 42, 42% fructose and 58% glucose.
When the enzyme (insulin) is inactivated the absorbtion of the high levels of glucose in those foods and beverages is increased and is stored with fats and is not purged from your body as waste.
Thus creating the type two diabetes epidemic we see in America today!
**Acutely toxic by any means of delivery.
Foods, drugs, cosmetics, toiletries, and even clothing.
All products that contain the azo dyes can inactivate the enzymes produced in your body.
At 35 I was diagnosed with Hypertension, and placed on medication. the it was migraine and placed on Fiorinal then Fioricet, Then at 52 , I was diagnosed with Non insulin diabetes, Osteoporosis and diverticulitis. I substituted the blood pressure medication for an natural substitute when I started to feel gurgling in my heart. I came off the Actonel as it caused me severe pain in my long bones of the leg. I stopped taking the Metformin and took cinnamon and blood glucose formula, All these efforts have helped me to stay in good health.I would like to not have to take anything at all. Any Cures in sight. My gut is telling me that my immune system underwent an assault when I moved to the US and started a different dietary regimen. I take COQ10, Curamin (for herniated discs x 4) and alpha lipoic acid capsules. It gets tiring taking so many pills.
What are azo dyes, and which products generally contain them? Thanks.
Hi javed,
Thanks for your comment.
Azo dyes are synthetic colors that do not occur naturally. They make up somewhere between 60-70% of the dyes used in food and textile manufacturing.
The azo dyes used in foods fall into the red-yellow range and include:
**Sunset yellow (E110) is found in some candy, soups, yogurt, and jams.
**Ponceau 4R (E124) is found in some salami, canned fruitsm and jellies (red dye).
**Allura red (E129) is found in some soft drinks
**Quinoline yellow (E104) is found in some smoked fish and ice cream.
**Carmoisine (E122) is found in some sauces, powdered soups, and yogurts (red dye).
**Tartrazine (E102) is found in some sweets, cakes, yogurts, and fruit drinks (yellow dye).
Tatrazine has been shown to cause allergic reactions in some people. The FDA requires any prescription meds that contain the dye to post a notice if they use it..
Much controversy surrounds the dyes with some experts claiming that they may cause…or aggravate…behavior issues or hyperactivity in children. And there is a lot of anecdotal evidence, dating back to the 80’s, that they may be related to other health problems.
Hope that info helps!
If any of our other readers have more information abot Azo dyes that they can share with javed and the rest of us please post them here in the comments.