Carnitine therapy for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease: evidence and controversies.
As the incidence of metabolic syndrome increases, there is also a growing interest in finding safe and inexpensive treatments to help lower associated risk factors. L-carntine, a natural dietary supplement with the potential to ameliorate atherosclerosis, has been the subject of recent investigation and controversy. A majority of studies have shown benefit of L-C supplementation in the metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular risk factors. However, recent work has suggested that dietary L-C may accelerate atherosclerosis via gut microbiota metabolites, complicating the role of L-C supplementation in health.
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Network at Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada. Electronic address: amerschedule@gmail.com.
A M
AM
Johri
Department of Medicine, Division of Community Health and Epidemiology, and Clinical Evaluation Research Unit at Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
D K
DK
Heyland
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Network at Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
M-F
MF
Hétu
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Network at Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
B
B
Crawford
Robarts Research Institute and University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
J D
JD
Spence
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D056352:Athletes; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002784:Cholesterol; D002331:Carnitine
Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary artery disease; Diabetes; Metabolic syndrome; Plaque; l-Carnitine