ID 1822 -
L-karnityna
PL: L-karnityna
EN: L-carnitine
Pdf: L-carnitine
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is carnitine (as L-carnitine).
Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium salt synthesised primarily in the liver and kidneys from amino acids, lysine and methionine. In living cells carnitine is required for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria for beta-oxidation. L-carnitine is the form commonly used in food supplements. The content of L-carnitine in foods can be measured by established methods. This opinion refers to the effects of L-carnitine when consumed as food supplements in addition to a protein adequate diet.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, L-carnitine, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.
2.5. Udział w prawidłowym tworzeniu plemników (spermatogenezie) (ID 1822)
The claimed effect is “sexual organs, hormone activity”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general male population.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to contribution to normal spermatogenesis.
The Panel considers that contribution to normal spermatogenesis is a beneficial physiological effect.
3.5. Udział w prawidłowym tworzeniu plemników (spermatogenezie) (ID 1822)
Most of the references provided were not related to the food constituent which is the subject of the claim. One narrative review on sperm quality did not provide any original data for the substantiation of the claim. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
One animal study examined the effect of L-carnitine on testicular ischaemic reperfusion injury in rats (Dokmeci et al., 2007). The Panel considers that evidence provided in animal studies is not sufficient to predict the occurrence of an effect of L-carnitine consumption on spermatogenesis in humans.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnitine and contribution to normal spermatogenesis.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
Food supplement with 100mg of L-carnitine in the daily dose.
