Levocarnitine
Levocarnitine or L-carnitine is a natural substance that is essential for the human body. The drug is used in various fields of medicine and helps cope with diseases. Therefore, in this article we will tell you all the advantages and disadvantages of the medicine, as well as methods of use.
Contents
Why take levocarnitine
Only a doctor can prescribe treatment with levocarnitine. Now let's talk in more detail about the drug itself.
L-carnitine is a natural B vitamin that:
- takes part in the metabolic processes of the body;
- helps improve protein and fat metabolism;
- helps increase the production of gastric juice;
- helps digest food;
- during intense exercise, it helps to quickly reduce body fat mass;
- increases performance, etc.
In other words, levocarnitine is prescribed for chronic fatigue, heavy physical activity, and rehabilitation.
How to take levocarnitine
The drug is recommended to be used together in complex therapy to achieve better results. The main condition is to use the drops half an hour before meals, after diluting them with water.
Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor prescribes the dose.
For adult patients:
- with severe physical and emotional stress, dermatitis and eczema - half a measuring spoon 3 times a day;
- for anorexia nervosa, severe injuries, operations - 1 measuring spoon 2 times a day;
- for diseases Gastrointestinal tract - 1/4 measuring spoon 2 times a day; for stroke, atherosclerosis, aneurysm, etc. - once a day 2.5 ml.
- Treatment lasts from 3 weeks to 4 months, depending on the severity of the disease.
For children, drops are added to various compotes, tea or juice.
For children under 3 years of age, the dose is determined by the doctor.
- Children from 3 to 6 years old take 5 drops 2-3 times a day.
- Children from 6 to 12 years old - 16 drops 3 times a day.
- For children, the course of treatment does not exceed 1 month.
Over half a century of research, no severe side effects have been identified, even with excessive use of doses of the drug. In most cases, the treatment proceeded calmly and did not cause negative consequences.
Side effects of levocarnitine
Rare side effects have been reported:
insomnia
The drug should not be used during hemodialysis procedures. Myasthenia gravis may occur.
To avoid sleepless nights, drops should be used in the first half of the day. This is especially true for children with hyperactivity and encephalopathy.
Side effects can be avoided by following the prescription dosage.
Indications and contraindications for levocarnitine
The drug is used for the following diseases:
- Physiological and psycho-emotional stress.
- Stages of rehabilitation after operations, injuries or other serious illnesses.
- Addition to the main therapy for gastrointestinal diseases.
- Skin disorders - psoriasis, eczema, burns, lupus erythematosus.
- Neurological diseases with brain lesions.
- Anorexia nervosa.
- Natural deficiency of levocarnitine is myopathy.
- Feeding premature babies.
- Injury during childbirth or strangulation by the umbilical cord.
- Weak sucking reflex in babies.
- Low body weight.
- Poor muscle tone.
- Insufficient development of motor and mental functions.
The drug is contraindicated for pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as people with liver and kidney diseases. It is prescribed with extreme caution for diseases of diabetes mellitus, peripheral blood vessels and hypertension.
Levocarnitine helps well under stressful work conditions. Stress is better tolerated and physical endurance increases. Athletes use the drug before competitions to burn fat.
Levocarnitine Products
What products contain levocarnitine, which is so useful and necessary for human life? Let's make a list of products by groups:
- Meat. The record holder for L-carnitine content is lamb. Beef takes second place, followed by pork, rabbit and chicken. The principle here is that the redder the meat, the more beneficial elements it contains.
- Milk and dairy products. Most levocarnitine is found in hard cheeses and whole cow's milk.
- Fruit: avocado. Next come nuts and vegetables.
- Mushrooms.
- Fatty fish varieties - herring, sea bass, salmon, trout, etc.
Of course, you shouldn’t go from one extreme to another and rely on only one type of product. Remember: everything should be in moderation. Since uncontrolled consumption of vitamin-rich foods can be harmful.
Levocarnitine: reviews
Based on the reviews, it was concluded that people were divided into two camps: “For” and “Against”.
First, let's look at examples on kids. Many mothers were sure that children with low weight would develop a hellish appetite, but were disappointed. The point of the drug is that muscle tissue grows not from the amount of food eaten, but from the micro- and macroelements that come with food. The result is achieved not from the first days, but after 1 month of use.
When recovering from operations or injuries, levocarnitine helps fractures heal faster and causes skin cells to regenerate at an accelerated pace.
The drug has also proven itself well against skin diseases. People with psoriasis or eczema noticed first results after three weeks of use. There was a noticeable reduction in skin flaking and itching. In complex treatment, levocarnitine helps fight these diseases.
Patients who suffer from excess weight have reported positive results in shedding pounds. The drug helps to quickly get rid of accumulated fat.
Athletes use levocarnitine to increase muscle mass. That is, the drug helps to obtain beneficial substances from food that promote muscle growth.
But there were also patients who did not notice any improvement after taking the drug. But perhaps this is a skeptical attitude or taking the medicine incorrectly.
In any case, there should be an effect. The main thing is to follow all the doctor’s recommendations and follow the dosage.
