Embrace a New Ally in the Blood Sugar Metabolism Balancing Act

Cinnamon, chromium, bitter melon… these are all celebrated sugar-busters that can help your body handle daily glucose loads with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. But they’re not the only natural wonders in the world of holistic blood sugar metabolism control. L-carnitine, for example, is best known for its role in delivering fatty acids to your mitochondria for cellular energy production—but according to the results of one recent study, this compound may have a crucial place in your blood sugar metabolism-balancing arsenal, as well.

As part of this small trial, sixteen lean and overweight men were evaluated for fasting blood sugar levels, as well as blood sugar metabolism, using a 2-hour glucose tolerance test that evaluates blood sugar levels following the ingestion of a glucose drink. Each subject was then supplemented with a 3-gram placebo sugar pill daily for 14 days, followed by 3 grams of L-carnitine L-tartrate for the next 14 days.

Blood sugar measurements were taken at the beginning of the study and at the conclusion of each two-week supplementation period—along with assessments of several metabolic factors, including insulin, non-esterified fatty acids, and the insulin-stimulating hormone total glucagon-like peptide-1.

Results indicated that lean men had more balanced post-prandial glucose levels after 30 minutes when they were supplementing with L-carnitine rather than placebo. Insulin-secreting beta cells also showed greater function among lean men supplementing with L-carnitine. Overweight subjects, on the other hand, did not receive similar benefits—results revealed higher blood sugar among this group at 90 minutes after glucose ingestion, whether the men were supplementing with L-carnitine or placebo. And there were no changes in non-esterified fatty acids or total glucagon-like peptide-1 observed among either group with L-carnitine supplementation.¹

Nevertheless, the study authors’ conclusion was a promising one: Supplementing with L-carnitine does appear to support healthy blood sugar metabolism during an oral glucose challenge in healthy weight people. And even though its variable effectiveness among lean and overweight subjects remains unexplained, a daily dose of L-carnitine could still be a powerful natural ally in your effort to keep your sugars under tight control.

You can find L-carnitine L-tartrate available as a standalone supplement from Complementary Prescriptions®.

Reference

1. Galloway SD, Craig TP, Cleland SJ. Effects of oral L-carnitine supplementation on insulin sensitivity indices in response to glucose feeding in lean and overweight/obese males. Amino Acids. 2011 Jul;41(2):507-15.