There was no significant difference between the groups in the studies regarding L-carnitina and flaxseed .
There is a lack of evidence regarding quality studies justifying the use of alternative products for weight loss
OBJECTIVE The high dem and for obesity treatment and conventional therapies ' lack of effectiveness increases the use of alternative products .
This study was aim ed at assessing evidence from r and omised clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of alternative weight-loss products ' ingredients .
The effect of L-carnitine on plasma lipoprotein(a) levels in hypercholesterolemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND A previous study has demonstrated that L-carnitine reduces plasma lipoprotein(a ) ( Lp[a ] ) levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia . OBJECTIVE To test a tolerable Lp(a)-reducing agent in diabetic patients , we assessed the effect of a dietary supplementation of L-carnitine on plasma lipid levels , particularly Lp(a ) , of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( DM ) and hypercholesterolemia . METHODS In this 6-month , r and omized , double-masked , placebo-controlled clinical trial , patients were enrolled , assessed , and followed up at the Diabetic and Metabolic Diseases Center of the Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy . All study patients had newly diagnosed type 2 DM that was managed through dietary restriction alone throughout the study , as well as hypercholesterolemia . Patients were r and omized to 1 of 2 groups . One group received L-carnitine , one 1-g tablet BID . The other group received a corresponding placebo . We assessed body mass index , fasting plasma glucose , postpr and ial plasma glucose , glycosylated hemoglobin , fasting plasma insulin , total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , triglycerides , apolipoprotein ( apo ) A-I , apo B , and Lp(a ) at baseline and at 1 , 3 , and 6 months of treatment . RESULTS This study included 94 patients . The treatment group included 24 men and 22 women ( mean [ SD ] age , 52 [ 6 ] years ) . The placebo group included 23 men and 25 women ( mean [ SD ] age , 50 [ 7 ] years ) . The baseline characteristics of the groups did not differ significantly . The mean ( SD ) body weight , height , and body mass index were 78.2 ( 5.8 ) kg , 1.70 ( 0.04 ) m , and 27.3 ( 2.5 ) kg/m(2 ) , respectively , in the L-carnitine group and 77.6 ( 6.4 ) kg , 1.71 ( 0.05 ) m , and 26.8 ( 2.2 ) kg/m(2 ) , respectively , in the placebo group . In the treatment group , Lp(a ) was significantly reduced at 3 and 6 months compared with baseline ( P < 0.05 ) and P < 0.01 , respectively ) . We observed a significant improvement after 6 months ( P < 0.05 ) in the Lp(a ) value in patients taking L-carnitine compared with those taking placebo . Between-group differences in other variables did not reach a level of significance at months 3 and 6 . No drug-related adverse events were reported or observed . CONCLUSION In this preliminary study , after 3 and 6 months , L-carnitine significantly lowered the plasma Lp(a ) level compared with placebo in selected hypercholesterolemic patients with newly diagnosed type 2 DM
There was no significant difference between the groups in the studies regarding L-carnitina and flaxseed .
There is a lack of evidence regarding quality studies justifying the use of alternative products for weight loss
OBJECTIVE The high dem and for obesity treatment and conventional therapies ' lack of effectiveness increases the use of alternative products .
This study was aim ed at assessing evidence from r and omised clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of alternative weight-loss products ' ingredients .