LCARNITINE AN ESSENTIAL COFACTOR FOR SEVERAL ENZYMES NECESSARY
FOR TRANSPORT OF FREE LONG CHAIN FATTY ACIDS INTO THE
MITOCHONDRIA L-CARNITINE occurs naturally in animal products
(esp. beef) with smaller amounts in dairy, fish, and chicken.
There are also very small amounts in avocado and some fermented
soy products such as tempeh. Methionine and lysine serve as
precursors to the synthesis of L-Carnitine. People with high
stress levels, parenteral nutrition patients, and elderly
patients may not be able to synthesize sufficient quantities of
L-Carnitine. Under these circumstances L-Carnitine is considered
a conditionally essential nutrient and supplementation may be
required. Children at 2 1/2 years of age synthesize L-Carnitine
at about 30% the adult rate. Full capacity does not occur until
age 15. L-Carnitine has cardioprotective activity, triglyceride
lowering, and HDL raising benefits. L-Carnitine may have
neurological protective properties. All body tissues, except for
the brain, metabolize long-chain fat