ID 4305 -
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.
2.3. Wzrost wytrzymałości (ID 4305, 4684)
The claimed effects are “ergogenic role in sports and exercise”, and “fat metabolism by mediating the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane”. The Panel assumes that the target population is adults performing endurance exercise.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to an increase in endurance capacity by promoting fat oxidation. Endurance capacity refers to the exercise time to self-reported fatigue when exercising at a constant workload or speed.
The Panel considers that an increase in endurance capacity is a beneficial physiological effect.
3.3. Wzrost wytrzymałości (ID 4305, 4684)
The references provided in relation to the claim included narrative reviews and human studies which addressed outcomes (e.g. fatty acid oxidation, protein turnover, body weight and cardiac disorders) unrelated to the claimed effect.
One uncontrolled, open label human intervention study investigated the effect of L-carnitine supplementation (2 g/day for six weeks) on endurance capacity assessed using progressive treadmill tests until exhaustion in seven elite male marathon runners (Swart et al., 1997). The Panel notes the uncontrolled nature of the study, and considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this study for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnitine and increase in endurance capacity.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
