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HOW DOES IT WORK?
The primary function of carnitine is to carry long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane and shuttle acetyl groups out of the mitochondria. This is a complex process involving several steps.^1-5

Simply stated, carnitine carries long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria by esterification of the long-chain fatty acids into acylcarnitines, which are then transported into the mitochondrial matrix. Once inside the mitochondria, the fatty acid splits away from the carnitine where it undergoes beta-oxidation for cellular energy production. Carnitine then facilitates the removal of short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids that accumulate from fatty acid beta-oxidation.^1-5

Fatty acids are utilized in energy production in all tissues except the brain. In the cortex of the kidney and heart muscle, fatty acid oxidation is the major fuel.² For this reason, L-carnitine's role in these tissues is well researched and documented.

Fatty Acid Oxidation
The only site of degradation and oxidation of fatty acids is the mitochondria. Therefore, use of fatty acids for energy production is dependent on their transport into the mitochondria by carnitine. The process of fatty acid degradation requires the progressive release of two-carbon segments (beta-carbons) from each fatty acid molecule. This process, beta-oxidation, results in tremendous amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the high energy compound required for almost all metabolic reactions. Fatty acid molecule to ATP molecule ratios can be as high as 1:146.^1,6 This means one fatty acid molecule can yield 146 molecules of ATP.

Vitaline L-Carnitine and Support of Renal (Kidney) Health
The kidneys regulate water and electrolyte balance through maintenance of a stable environment. Unwanted substances are filtered by the kidneys from the plasma and excreted in the urine. The kidneys then return needed substances back to the blood. Some substances do not require filtration from the plasma. Albumin, the most abundant plasma protein, has a high molecular weight, eliminating the need for filtration.^7,8

The kidneys have physiologic activities in addition to water and electrolyte balance. Well-functioning kidneys form between 89% and 95% of the body's erythropoietin, a circulating hormone that regulates red blood cell production.^7,8 L-carnitine supports healthy microcirculation and tissue oxygen delivery in the kidney, as well as healthy serum albumin concentration.^9-12

Vitaline L-Carnitine and Support of Immune Health
Immunity is the resistance to problem that is provided by the Defense mechanism of body. Cell-mediated immunity depends on T-cell responses to cellular antigens. Non-specific immune mechanisms include cytokines, which are produced mainly by T-cells. Cytokines function as intercellular signals that regulate immune responses. All types and subsets of T-cells are required for healthy immune function.^13,14 L-carnitine supports immune health, including support of cytokine response and lymphocyte response.^15-19

Vitaline L-Carnitine and Support of Cardiovascular Health
Cardiac muscle cells contain many mitochondria, reflecting their continuous energy needs. ATP production, therefore, occurs in higher quantities in cardiac cells than in other cells. This ATP in turn conveys energy for cellular function.²⁰ Generally, cardiac muscles do not require carbohydrates for normal cellular metabolism as do other tissues. Under resting conditions, cardiac muscle uses fatty acids for 70% of its energy requirements.²¹ L-carnitine supplementation supports healthy cardiac enzyme levels, heart contractility and subsequent circulation and exercise tolerance, because of the special role L-carnitine plays in transporting fatty acids into the cell for energy production.^22-32

Vitaline L-Carnitine and Support of Healthy Glucose Levels
The human body uses glucose and fatty acids to meet its energy needs. Control of the body's fuel supply is a complex process that relies on several metabolic processes for regulation. Free fatty acids stimulate beta cells to stimulate increased insulin secretion. They also inhibit glucose uptake, phosphorylation, and glycogen storage. Free fatty acids mediate and stimulate insulin delivery and glucose production.^33,34 L-carnitine transports fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix for oxidation and supports healthy glucose levels.^35-37

Safe, Physiologic Active Form
While L-carnitine occurs naturally and provides beneficial biologic properties, D-carnitine is biologically inactive. D-carnitine interferes with the absorption and utilization of L-carnitine. When D-carnitine is synthesized in a mixture of D and L carnitine, the negative effects of D-carnitine persist, causing depletion of carnitine.³⁸ Therefore, only L-carnitine is used in Vitaline L-Carnitine .



REFERENCES
 

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