It was discovered by russian scientists back in the early 1900's. you would think it would be classified by now, but it's not. Most biochemsists place it in the category of the B-complex family of vitamins. Others, on the other hand, classify it as an "accesory nutrient". And even others suggest it's an amino acid. the latter is falling out of favor quite rapidly.
L-carnitine is supposed to act as a transport of long chain fatty acids across the inner membranes of the mitochondria. it does this by activating an enzyme (cat1) which transfers one group of the fat molecule to the hydroxyl group of the carnitine molecule. The resulting prodcut oac ester is then able to pass across the mitochondria. The end result is atp.
the biggest claim made by carnitine is the ability to speed up the intake of oxygen into the body's cells.
|
Linear Mode
