Open AccessComparison of body fat in athletes after an L-Carnitine supplementation
Author(s) -
Shared Alejandro Maldonado-Domínguez,
Héctor Manuel Tlatoa Ramírez,
Mario I. Ortiz
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
mexican journal of medical research icsa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2007-5235
DOI - 10.29057/mjmr.v3i6.1842
Subject(s) - carnitine , body fat percentage , placebo , athletes , zoology , body weight , endocrinology , medicine , biology , physical therapy , anthropometry , alternative medicine , pathology
It has been shown that L-Carnitine is required to carry long chain fatty acids from the cytosol to the cell mitochondria in order to generate energy. Hypothetically, high levels of L-Carnitine in the cells may improve lipid transport on mitochondria and may increase the lipid metabolism. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of L-Carnitine in reducing body fat in Mexican soccer players. Firstly, we determined participants' body composition by bioimpedance. Participants were divided into two groups, one group was given L-Carnitine (3 g/day) and the other group was given placebo for 30 days. The teams had the same workout routine and a balanced and adequate diet. Finally, participants returned to be assessed about their body compositions. Twenty-one players were included, middle aged, weight and height of 20.9 years, 70.4 kg and 175.5 m, respectively. We did not find changes in the percentages of body fat in both groups after the treatments (p>0.05). Data leads us to conclude that supplementation with L-Carnitine for 30 days (3g/day) does not reduce the fat percentage in soccer players.