Document Detail


Short-term carnitine supplementation does not augment LCPomega3 status of vegans and lacto-ovo-vegetarians.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15670986     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: Long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (LCPomega3) synthesis, notably that of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from the precursor alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) proceeds with difficulty. We investigated whether carnitine supplementation augments the LCPomega3 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 LCPomega3 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 LCPomega3 from e.g. fish or supplements.
Authors:
M Rebecca Fokkema; H M van Rieke; O J Bauermann; E N Smit; F A J Muskiet
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the American College of Nutrition     Volume:  24     ISSN:  0731-5724     ISO Abbreviation:  J Am Coll Nutr     Publication Date:  2005 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-01-26     Completed Date:  2005-05-05     Revised Date:  2008-06-23    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8215879     Medline TA:  J Am Coll Nutr     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  58-64     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, CMC-V, room Y1.165, PO Box 30.001, NL-9700 RB Groningen, THE NETHERLANDS. m.r.fokkema@path.azg.nl
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Blood Platelets / metabolism
Carnitine / administration & dosage*,  blood*
Cholesterol Esters / blood
Diet, Vegetarian*
Dietary Supplements
Docosahexaenoic Acids / metabolism
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Eicosapentaenoic Acid / metabolism
Erythrocytes / metabolism
Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism*
Female
Humans
Linseed Oil
Male
Triglycerides / blood
alpha-Linolenic Acid / metabolism*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Cholesterol Esters; 0/Fatty Acids, Omega-3; 0/Triglycerides; 1553-41-9/Eicosapentaenoic Acid; 25167-62-8/Docosahexaenoic Acids; 463-40-1/alpha-Linolenic Acid; 541-15-1/Carnitine; 8001-26-1/Linseed Oil

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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