No significant effect was seen for waist circumference ( WC ) and body fat percent .
A non-linear dose-response association was seen between l-carnitine supplementation and body weight reduction ( P < 0.001 ) suggesting that ingestion of 2000 mg l-carnitine per day provides the maximum effect in adults .
This association was not seen for BMI , WC and body fat percent .
CONCLUSIONS l-carnitine supplementation provides a modest reducing effect on body weight , BMI and fat mass , especially among adults with overweight/obesity
BACKGROUND AND AIM Clinical evidence which investigated the effects of l-carnitine , a vitamin-like substance , on weight loss had led to inconsistent results .
This study therefore aim ed to examine the effect of l-carnitine supplementation on body weight and composition by including the maximum number of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) and to conduct a dose-response analysis , for the first time .
L-Carnitine supplementation combined with aerobic training does not promote weight loss in moderately obese women.
L-Carnitine ( L-C ) transports fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation and is marketed as a weight loss supplement . In a double-blind investigation to test the weight loss efficacy of L-C , 36 moderately overweight premenopausal women were pair matched on Body Mass Index ( BMI ) and r and omly assigned to two groups ( N = 18 ) . For 8 weeks the L-C group ingested 2 g twice daily of L-C , while the placebo ( P ) group ingested the same amount of lactose . All subjects walked for 30 min ( 60 - 70 % maximum heart rate ) 4 days/week . Body composition , resting energy expenditure ( REE ) and substrate utilization were estimated before and after treatment . For the subjects who completed the study ( 15 P , 13 L-C ) , no significant changes in mean total body mass ( TBM ) , fat mass FM , and resting lipid utilization occurred over time , nor were there any significant differences between groups for any variable . Conversely REE increased significantly for all subjects , but no between group differences existed . Five of the L-C group experienced nausea or diarrhea and consequently did not complete the study . Eight weeks of L-C ingestion and walking did not significantly alter the TBM or FM of overweight women , thereby casting doubt on the efficacy of L-C supplementation for weight loss
No significant effect was seen for waist circumference ( WC ) and body fat percent .
A non-linear dose-response association was seen between l-carnitine supplementation and body weight reduction ( P < 0.001 ) suggesting that ingestion of 2000 mg l-carnitine per day provides the maximum effect in adults .
This association was not seen for BMI , WC and body fat percent .
CONCLUSIONS l-carnitine supplementation provides a modest reducing effect on body weight , BMI and fat mass , especially among adults with overweight/obesity
BACKGROUND AND AIM Clinical evidence which investigated the effects of l-carnitine , a vitamin-like substance , on weight loss had led to inconsistent results .
This study therefore aim ed to examine the effect of l-carnitine supplementation on body weight and composition by including the maximum number of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) and to conduct a dose-response analysis , for the first time .