Short-term carnitine supplementation does not augment LCPomega3 status of vegans and lacto-ovo-vegetarians.
OBJECTIVE
Long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (LCPomega3) synthesis, notably that of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from the precursor alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) proceeds with difficulty. We investigated whether carnitine supplementation augments the LCPomega3 status of apparently healthy vegans and lacto-ovo-vegetarians, who are expected to have low carnitine status.


METHODS
Group A (n = 11) took 990 mg/day l-carnitine from weeks 1-4, and 990 mg/day l-carnitine + 4 mL/day linseed oil from weeks 5-8. Group B (n = 9) took 4 mL/day linseed oil from weeks 1-4, and 4 mL/day linseed oil + 990 mg/day l-carnitine from weeks 5-8. Fatty acid compositions of red blood cells, platelets, plasma cholesterol esters and plasma triglycerides were measured in the fasting state at baseline, and after 4 and 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Carnitine supplementation increased plasma free and total carnitine concentrations with 30 and 25%, respectively, but did not affect eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA contents of any of the investigated compartments. EPA and DHA changes were negatively related to initial carnitine status.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that carnitine is not an important limiting factor, if any, for LCPomega3 synthesis in vegans and lacto-ovo-vegetarians. This conclusion is also likely to apply to omnivores. The most efficient means to augment EPA and particularly DHA status remains consumption of LCPomega3 from e.g. fish or supplements.
Fokkema
M Rebecca
MR
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, CMC-V, room Y1.165, PO Box 30.001, NL-9700 RB Groningen, THE NETHERLANDS. m.r.fokkema@path.azg.nl
van Rieke
H M
HM
Bauermann
O J
OJ
Smit
E N
EN
Muskiet
F A J
FA
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000097:blood; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008043:Linseed Oil; D008297:Male; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014280:Triglycerides; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D008043:Linseed Oil; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D002331:Carnitine