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MSM

Health News Archive 153 - Circulation
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L-Carnitine Aids Circulation in Legs

Results of a new study indicate that L-carnitine may improve exercise ability in people with poor circulation in their legs. Peripheral arterial disease impairs circulation and can lead to claudication—a sharp leg pain that limits exercise.

In a study conducted by William Hiatt, M.D., of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, 155 Americans and Russians age 40 to 80 were randomly selected to take either 2 g/day L-carnitine or placebo for six months. To assess their walking ability, the participants were tested on a graded treadmill at 2 mph. The grade began level and increased 2 percent every two minutes. Subjects walked until leg pain became intense.

Participants also filled out a questionnaire to determine how they perceived their walking ability and their overall functioning. Nearly all the participants were Caucasian; more than 90 percent were previous or current smokers; about half were taking other medications.

After six months, the 82 who took L-carnitine walked 39 percent longer compared with a 14 percent improvement in the placebo group. In addition, those taking the supplement experienced a self-declared boost in overall health and vitality. There were no reported side effects.

L-carnitine contributes to energy production within muscle cells, and supplementation increases the energy available to skeletal muscle. In addition, Hiatt speculates, the supplement may also improve blood vessel integrity.

Source: American Journal of Medicine 2001;110:616-22.