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# L-Carnitine helps type 2 diabetes
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/l-carnitine_helps_type_2_diabetes_1605100743/
- Published: 2010-05-16T07:42:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:52:14.000Z
- Description: In a small Italian study, 16 patients with newly diagnosed impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes followed a low-calorie diet for 10 days. Both groups improved glucose tolerance, but only those also taking 2 grams of L-carnitine twice daily saw plasma insulin fall significantly.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, Carnitine, Diabetes, #vivvo-import

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