foodconsumer.org: L-Carnitine helps type 2 diabetes

L-Carnitine helps type 2 diabetes
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admin on 05/16/2010 11:42:00
 
A small study has proved that taking l-carnitine supplements while using a
calorie-restricted diet improves insulin resistance in patients who were
diagnosed with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or type 2 diabetes.
The study led by Molfino A and colleagues from Sapienza University in Rome,
Italy involved 16 patients with newly diagnosed IFG or type 2 diabetes. The
subjects were not receiving anti-diabetic therapy and modification of lifestyle
during the previous four weeks.
For the study, eight patients were assigned a hypocaloric diet for 10 days and
another eight patients oral L-carnitine in a dose of 2 grams twice a day in
addition to the hypocaloric diet.
Oral glucose tolerance test results showed both groups improved their glucose
tolerance.  But only the group receiving L-carnitine had their plasma insulin
levels decreased signficantly.
The researchers concluded that oral L-carnitine supplements coupled with a
hyopcaloric feeding regimen improves insulin resistance and may be used as an
adjunctive treatment for IFG and type 2 diabetes.
The study was published in the May-June 2010 issue of JPEN. Journal of
Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
David Liu