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Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 24, No. 1, 58-64 (2005)
Published by the American College of Nutrition

Short-Term Carnitine Supplementation Does Not Augment LCP{omega}3 Status of Vegans and Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarians

M. Rebecca Fokkema, PhD, H.M. van Rieke, MSc, O.J. Bauermann, PhD, E.N. Smit, PhD and F.A.J. Muskiet, PhD

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Groningen University Hospital (M.R.F., H.M.v.R., E.N.S., F.A.J.M.)
Sigma-Tau Ethifarma BV, Assen (O.J.B.), THE NETHERLANDS

Address reprint requests to: Dr. M.R. Fokkema, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, CMC-V, room Y1.165, P.O. Box 30.001, NL-9700 RB Groningen, THE NETHERLANDS. E-mail: m.r.fokkema{at}path.azg.nl

Objective: Long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (LCP{omega}3) synthesis, notably that of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from the precursor alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) proceeds with difficulty. We investigated whether carnitine supplementation augments the LCP{omega}3 status of apparently healthy vegans and lacto-ovo-vegetarians, who are expected to have low carnitine status.

Methods: Group A (n = 11) took 990 mg/day l-carnitine from weeks 1–4, and 990 mg/day l-carnitine + 4 mL/day linseed oil from weeks 5–8. Group B (n = 9) took 4 mL/day linseed oil from weeks 1–4, and 4 mL/day linseed oil + 990 mg/day l-carnitine from weeks 5–8. Fatty acid compositions of red blood cells, platelets, plasma cholesterol esters and plasma triglycerides were measured in the fasting state at baseline, and after 4 and 8 weeks.

Results: Carnitine supplementation increased plasma free and total carnitine concentrations with 30 and 25%, respectively, but did not affect eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA contents of any of the investigated compartments. EPA and DHA changes were negatively related to initial carnitine status.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that carnitine is not an important limiting factor, if any, for LCP{omega}3 synthesis in vegans and lacto-ovo-vegetarians. This conclusion is also likely to apply to omnivores. The most efficient means to augment EPA and particularly DHA status remains consumption of LCP{omega}3 from e.g. fish or supplements.

Key words: carnitine, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, vegans, vegetarians






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Copyright © 2005 by the American College of Nutrition.