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Role of carnitine supplementation in clinical nutrition

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Book cover Advances in Clinical Nutrition

Abstract

Carnitine is an absolute requirement for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the matrix of the mitochondria which is the site of β-oxidation1. We frequently speak of carnitine stimulating fatty acid oxidation. However, the role of carnitine in long-chain fatty acid oxidation is much greater than that of mere stimulation. In the absence of carnitine, long-chain fatty acids cannot penetrate the inner membrane of the mitochondria; and since the cytosol does not contain any of the enzymes needed for β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids, the cell cannot utilize the fatty acids for energy via β-oxidation. As clinical nutritionists, we must realize that when we provide long-chain fatty acids as an energy source, carnitine must be provided in adequate amounts by either endogenous or exogenous sources, or the patient will simply not be able to derive energy from the fatty acids. Nutritionists have traditionally ignored the possible need for exogenous carnitine because we assumed that endogenous synthesis was always adequate, and therefore exogenous sources were not required. We now know that endogenous synthesis of carnitine is not adequate in all individuals1.

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Authors
  1. P. R. Borum
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England

    Ivan D. A. Johnston

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© 1983 MTP Press Limited

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Borum, P.R. (1983). Role of carnitine supplementation in clinical nutrition. In: Johnston, I.D.A. (eds) Advances in Clinical Nutrition. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5918-0_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5918-0_26

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-5920-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5918-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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