New research on Lonza's L-Carnitine Crystalline

Swiss chemicals company Lonza reports that a new study shows that L-Carnitine Crystalline significantly increases fatty acid oxidation in healthy adults.

The company said that this study provides the first conclusive evidence that oral L-Carnitine Crystalline supplements stimulate in-vivo long chain fatty acid metabolism.

L-Carnitine, a vitamin-like nutrient, occurs naturally in the human body and is essential for turning fat into energy. The dietary supplement is used by physically active people to help with post-exercise recovery. Lonza, which claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of L-Carnitine, said that extensive scientific research shows L-Carnitine to promote cardiovascular health and studies also suggest the nutrient may be useful in weight management.

The study investigated the effects of oral L-Carnipure L-Carnitine Crystalline supplementation on in vivo long chain fatty acid oxidation by measuring 1-[13C] palmitic acid oxidation in healthy adults before and after L-Carnipure L-Carnitine Crystalline supplementation (3x1 g/d for 10 days).

"We observed a significant increase in 13C02 exhalation, thereby indicating a significant increase in fat oxidation in healthy adults,"​ said lead investigator Dr Detlef Muller. "This study is important to all people who exercise, those who undergo a weight management programme and those who have a high energy demand."​

L-Carnipure L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (US Patent 5,073,376 and other international patents) consists of 68 per cent L-Carnitine and 32 per cent L-tartaric acid. The supplement has recently been confirmed GRAS, along with L-Carnitine L-Tartrate.

The study, conducted at the University of Leipzig, Germany, is published in Metabolism​ (vol. 51, No. 11: 1389-91, 2002). Part was presented at the Experimental Biology Meeting in Orlando, Florida, 2001.

Lonza Group​ had sales of SF2.5 billion in 2001.