Abstract
L-carnitine is a very popular food supplement due to its safety profile, antioxidant-type
activity and suggested effects on energy metabolism pathways. L-carnitine participates
in both fatty acid transport pathways and the export of acetyl groups out of the mitochondria.
However, contradictory data exist concerning the pharmacological outcomes of L-carnitine
treatment in diabetes mellitus, which is a highly prevalent metabolic disease characterised
by hyperglycemia and associated with severe complications, including cardiovascular
disease and dyslipidemia. Recently, the L-carnitine-derived metabolites, acylcarnitines
and trimethylamine-N-oxide, have been associated with increased cardio-metabolic risks.
This review aims to highlight the possible risks and benefits of L-carnitine supplementation.
Key words
L-carnitine - diabetes - food supplement