An article appearing recently in the World Journal of Gastroenterology penned by the team led by Professor Sayed-Ahmed from the College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, has reported on the role of carnitine in the liver during the development of liver cancer (hepatocarcinogenesis). Apparently, carnitine deficiency is a risk factor and critical to the mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis, and long-term L-carnitine supplementation could prevent, slow, or reverse its occurrence.

L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound which is primarily located in mitochondria and possesses potential protective effects against many mitochondrial toxic agents. It is derived from two sources: endogenous synthesis, in the liver and kidney, and from exogenous dietary sources such as red meat and dairy products. L-carnitine is an essential cofactor for the translocation of long chain fatty acids from the cytoplasmic compartment into mitochondria, where beta-oxidation enzymes are located for ATP production.

To test their hypothesis, the researchers studied a rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis under conditions of carnitine deficiency and supplementation.

L-carnitine supplementation resulted in a complete reversal of the cancer-related changes in the rats’ livers.

Given these promising results, they intend to conduct further investigations into the mechanisms behind carnitine’s anti liver cancer effect.

Carnitine supplementation, particularly in the form of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), which is cheaply available from a number of suppliers, has a reasonably long history of conferring health and longevity benefits. In my opinion, it’s one of the cornerstones of an effective supplementation regime, particularly in combination with alpha lipoic acid (ALA).