• Heart function and health
• Healthy brain tissue and neurological function
• Lipid Metabolism and reduction of Triglycerides
• Muscle function and increased athletic performance

WHAT IS CARNITINE?
Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid metabolized from Lysine and Methionine (with Vitamins B-6 and C) and synthesized in the liver and kidneys. The food source is meat and milk and it is absent in strict vegetarian diets. Carnitine is a necessary component of heart and skeletal muscle tissue. It is involved in lipid metabolism, and it functions to transport fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membranes. This amino acid is also essential for brain cells and healthy neurological function, and it promotes longevity by helping to provide cells with the necessary energy to function. Carnitine deficiencies are common, and are evident in two types of conditions. Those, in which Myopathy is involved, note Carnitine deficiencies in muscles, whereas systemic deficiencies are results of long term diseases, such as renal failure, and Reye's syndrome. Low levels of Carnitine have been also noted in patients with diabetes, myocardial ischemia, cancer and alcoholism. There are different types of Carnitine. Elemental (active) L-Carnitine Fumarate has an extra molecule of fumaric acid, that helps maintain Krebs' Cycle function, and Acetyl-Carnitine crosses the blood brain barrier quickly and aids in neurological function. Carnitine supplementation results in increased plasma and tissue levels of Carnitine.

CARNITINE AND HEART FUNCTION

• In healthy heart tissue, Carnitine has adequate amounts to provide sufficient fatty acids, which are the principal energy substrate of the heart.
• Carnitine levels decrease in patients with acute and chronic ischemic cardiopathy, including angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, chronic coronary insufficiency, as well as heart failure. This causes the heart to shift to Glucose metabolism to supply energy, resulting in over-utilization of glycogen, thus depleting glycogen stores, which are necessary to supply emergency energy to the heart.
• Carnitine supplementation enables the facilitation of fatty acid oxidation, preserving glycogen stores and restoring normal metabolic conditions to the heart.
• Supplementation of Carnitine to patients with angina pectoris may improve exercise tolerance, help prevent arrhythmias, and may be beneficial in patients with congestive heart failure as well.
• Carnitine supplementation may improve tachycardia and reduce signs and symptoms of ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease.
  
  CARNITINE, ACETYL-CARNITINE - BRAIN AND NEUROLOGICAL PROPERTIES
• Carnitine and Acetyl-Carnitine are present in the grey matter of the central nervous system.
• Acetyl-Carnitine, the Ester form of Carnitine, is quickly absorbed into the brain and has significant effect on healthy neurological function, especially on age-related changes on dopamine receptors and amino acid levels in the brain. Acetyl-Carnitine protects neurons against oxidative damage and may slow the progression of dementia in Alzheimer's patients.
• Acetyl-Carnitine has a role in neuronal metabolism and increases neurotrophic factors, and it may be beneficial with patients who have peripheral neuropathies with pain.

CARNITINE AND KIDNEY FUNCTION

• Carnitine acts as an anti-oxidant in the Kidneys and thus protects against Nitric Oxide damage to the delicate Kidney filter tissue.

LIPID METABOLISM

• Carnitine is involved in fat metabolism, and is the only known substance that can lower harmful Triglycerides, which can cause poor circulation, myocardial infarction and kidney disease.
• Carnitine transfers long chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membranes of cells, where they can be used as an energy source. By mobilizing the fatty acids, it stimulates fat metabolism resulting in fat reduction.
• Acetyl-Carnitine is also involved in lipid activity, and has a positive effect on lowering cholesterol.
  
  ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
• Carnitine supplementation increases lipid metabolism in muscles during physical activity, which leads to saving glycogen stores. This helps prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue during prolonged & vigorous workouts and general athletic activities.
• Carnitine increases energy, but without supplementation, Carnitine pools become depleted due to strenuous activity. Acetyl-Carnitine also has a beneficial effect on muscles, which is important for athletic performance.
• Athletes administered Carnitine supplementation showed increased performance in sports activities.
  
  CARNITINE AND WEIGHT REDUCTION
• Various studies have shown that those who were on weight reduction programs, who were supplemented with 2-6 grams of Carnitine daily, lost more body fat than the control groups who were given placebos.

HOW DOES CARNITINE EFFECT WEIGHT LOSS?
In order to lose weight, it is necessary to burn excessive fat in a process, which converts long chain fatty acids into energy (b-oxidation). Those who "diet" may lose at lease 25-30% of the weight from water loss and lean muscle tissue instead of fat. Carnitine is the only element that can transport the long chain fatty acids across the mitochondria, where they can be turned into energy in this process of b-oxidation. Since low caloric diets decrease the amount of Carnitine available from food sources, the body then uses glycogen stores for energy instead of burning up fat. Carnitine, by stimulating b-oxidation, reduces the utilization of the branch chain amino acids, which if decreased result in reducing lean body mass rather than fat. By preventing the utilization of the glucogenic amino acids for energy, there is a higher amount available to supply the brain with energy and help induce appetite suppression. Supplementation with Carnitine can increase the b-oxidation process, thus burning fat while maintaining lean muscle, as well as increasing the resting metabolic rate. For those wishing to lose fat, Carnitine is an important adjunct along with a program of reduced calories and increased exercise.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING CARNITINE

• Low levels of Acetyl-Carnitine have been documented in infertile sperm.
• Carnitine enhances liver function and the immune system.
• It naturally increases mental and physical energy.
• Some benefits have been noted in symptoms of Parkinson's Disease and degenerative muscle conditions.

SOME BENEFITS OF ULTRA CARNITINE

• Montiff provides the purest, active L-Carnitine to insure effectiveness.
• Many Carnitine products only state total molecular weight of ingredients, without providing the actual activity of the Carnitine. Montiff provides all pure, Elemental (active) L-Carnitine, as well as important Elemental (active) Acetyl-Carnitine.
• Acetyl-Carnitine is included for maximum effectiveness for beneficial heart and brain activity, as well as for increased muscle function.
• L-Carnitine Fumarate has an extra fumaric acid molecule to help Krebs' Cycle function.

REFERENCES:

1. Di Pasquale, M, Amino Acids and Proteins for the Athlete, the Anabolic Edge, 1997.
2. Heurtes, et al "Respiratory Chain Enzymes in Muscle of Endurance Athletes, Effect of L-Carnitine", Biochem. Biophys. Res. C.1992.
3. Spagnoli A. et al "Long-term Acetyl-Carnitine Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease". Neurology 1991.
4. Bruno, g et al, "Acetyl-L-Carnitine in Alzheimer Disease: A Short Term Study on CSF Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides", Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders", 1995.
5. Pepine, Carl J, "The Therapeutic Potential of Carnitine in Cardiovascular Disease", Clinical Therapeutics, Feb. 1991.
6. Crayhon, Robert M.S., The Carnitine Miracle, 1998.