Basel (CH) 1 June 2018 – A new review paper published in scientific journal, Nutrients, has highlighted the role of L-Carnitine in recovery after high intensity exercise in young, active adults, with mechanisms involved in this process described in detail.1 The review, conducted by Lonza Consumer Health & Nutrition, together with a leading university in Boston, also introduced research conducted on L-Carnitine in older demographics, where supplementation with L-Carnitine led to mitigation of the age-related loss of muscle mass and function among elderly subjects, suggesting new uses for the ingredient.
The new peer-reviewed paper examined human clinical trials where L-Carnitine supplementation was used in post-exercise recovery. Highlighting extensive evidence on L-Carnitine as an ergogenic aid for enhanced exercise capacity in young athletes, the review also summarizes how the ingredient can reduce muscle soreness and injury and oxidative stress, as well as increase blood flow, contributing to recovery.
In addition to analyzing the relevant studies to-date in younger subjects, this comprehensive review aims to outline the growing body of evidence on the effects of L-Carnitine supplementation in an emerging demographic of interest: the elderly. With a rapidly aging global population increasingly taking part in moderate exercise, and given the additional challenges met by older people suffering from the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength and overall activity, namely sarcopenia, L-Carnitine has been found to exert a beneficial effect by maintaining lean muscle mass and reducing muscle degradation and fatigue.
Dr Aouatef Bellamine, Senior Scientific Manager, Consumer Health & Nutrition, Lonza, adds: “This comprehensive review summarizes the science generated within the last few decades on the benefits of L-Carnitine during exercise and the recovery phase. While previous research has mainly focused on the effects of supplementation in athletes, we also reviewed the current research in a wider demographic that includes older adults. In particular, with a growing number of elderly subjects engaged in moderate exercise, the role of L-Carnitine in helping to improve quality of life among this demographic will continue to gain importance.
“The results of this review could therefore be taken into consideration when planning the diets of younger, active consumers, while also helping to shape the future direction of research, to explore in greater depth the role L-Carnitine supplementation can play alongside exercise in mitigating age-related muscle degradation.”
Lonza's Carnipure® is a high-quality grade of L-Carnitine, with over 30 clinical studies to support its versatility and broad usage. Carnipure® L-Carnitine can be formulated into a wide range of functional foods and nutritional supplements across multiple applications, such as weight management, energy metabolism and infant nutrition, as well as sports nutrition and healthy aging.
1R. Fielding, et al., “L-Carnitine supplementation in recovery after exercise,” Nutrients, 10, 349 (2018).