L-Carnitine deficiency can cause health problems, such as fatigue and weight problems. Although initially L-Carnitine deficiency causes minor problems, in the long-term L-Carnitine deficiency can contribute to more serious health problems.
Heart Disease is among the more serious health problems that L-Carnitine deficiency can cause. With a lack of L-Carnitine, fatty tissue is unable to be processed normally and therefore can often build up to unhealthy levels around the heart. An unhealthy build up of fatty tissue around the heart can lead to heart related diseases.
L-Carnitine deficiency can be caused by a genetic default, damage to the kidneys, liver, or brain, or through improper dietary intake. L-Carnitine is naturally produced in the kidneys, liver and brain, yet if there is a genetic default, then the body is inclined to produce less than what is required by the body.
If the kidneys, liver, or brain is damaged during birth, or through some kind of medical difficulty, or accident, then they may not be capable of functioning normally and therefore may not be capable of producing adequate amounts of L-Carnitine in order to support the body’s normal functions.
When a person damages their kidneys, liver, or brain, L-Carnitine production is interrupted and the result leads to slow production of fatty acid, which in turn leads to a slowing of the energy distribution throughout the body. You will often find people with kidney, liver, or brain damage are slow and put on weight easily.
The reason that people with kidney, liver, or brain damage are slow and put on weight easily, is that the fatty acids are not being transformed into energy and therefore build up to unhealthy levels. People with serious kidney, liver, or brain damage are often confined to bed, or a wheelchair.
Although L-Carnitine is naturally produced in our kidneys, liver and brain, we still require some extra L-Carnitine to support our growth when we are children, our systems in times of illness and to provide supplementation when there is a L-Carnitine deficiency from genetic, or medical problems.
It is for these reasons that L-Carnitine can be found in mother’s milk, which gives the baby more energy and aids a baby’s growth. L-Carnitine can also be found in Red Meat, Poultry, Fish, Avocadoes, Wheat, Fermented Soybeans, Wheat, Asparagus and Peanut Butter and Dairy Products.
When a person is suffering from a minor L-Carnitine deficiency they usually benefit from a change in their dietary intake, or from a small amount of L-Carnitine supplement in order to boost their system. Including L-Carnitine rich foods in your dietary intake is also though to be a preventive to developing serious health conditions.
A person who is already suffering from a serious health condition may require long-term L-Carnitine supplementation in order to aid them in their recovery, combined with healthy dietary changes. L-Carnitine supplementation is often used for people suffering from Cancer, or other serious illnesses.
Although a person who has a genetic L-Carnitine deficiency can benefit from the implementation of a diet full of L-Carnitine rich foods, they may benefit from taking L-Carnitine supplements throughout their life. A genetic L-Carnitine deficiency is unlike a person suffering from serious illness, where they have the possibility of recovery.