L-carnitine helps manage your hormones while reducing oxidative stress

L-carnitine,  a naturally occurring amino acid, can help regulate hormones, reduce oxidative stress, and decrease the metabolic effects of diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine.

• Diabetes causes problems in sex hormones and increases production of free radicals and oxidative stress.
• Researchers at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in Sari, Iran looked at the antioxidant property of L-carnitine on serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and testis oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.
• For the study, the team treated the diabetic mice with 50, 100, or 200 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of L-carnitine every day for seven weeks.
• After the treatment period, the researchers measured the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase, mitochondrial function, protein carbonyl, and reactive oxygen species.
• The results revealed that mice treated with 50 mg/kg of L-carnitine exhibited increases in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone levels.
• Mice treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg of L-carnitine experienced a reduction in malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species.
• Only the 200 mg/kg dose of L-carnitine increased the activity of glutathione, catalase, total antioxidant activity, and mitochondrial function.
• These results suggested that L-carnitine has the ability to reduce oxidative stress and regulate hormones by reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzymes.

The researchers concluded that L-carnitine, especially at a dose of 200 mg/kg, increases antioxidant enzymes, improves mitochondrial function, and reduces oxidative stress markers.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

To read more studies on natural supplements like L-carnitine, visit SupplementsReport.com.

Journal Reference:

Rezaei N, Mardanshahi T, Shafaroudi MM, Abedian S, Mohammadi H, Zare Z. EFFECTS OF L-CARNITINE ON THE FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE, LUTEINIZING HORMONE, TESTOSTERONE, AND TESTICULAR TISSUE OXIDATIVE STRESS LEVELS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 1 January 2018. DOI: 10.1177/2515690X18796053