ID 738 -
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.
2.1. Szybsze ustępowanie zmęczenia mięśni po wysiłku (ID 738, 1492, 1493)
The claimed effects are “fat metabolism” and “muscle metabolism/recovery after exercise”. The Panel assumes that the target population is adults performing strenuous exercise.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise.
Fatigue can be defined as the loss of peak force or power output. Therefore, muscle fatigue recovery can be defined as the regain of maximal muscle strength or muscle power after performance of strenuous exercise which has induced muscle fatigue.
The Panel considers that faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise is a beneficial physiological effect.
2.2. Wpływ na regenerację mięśni szkieletowych (ID 738, 1492, 1493)
The claimed effects are “fat metabolism” and “muscle metabolism/recovery after exercise”. The Panel assumes that the target population is adults performing resistance exercise.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to the rebuilding of structural protein within the skeletal muscle tissue after exercise which has caused muscle damage.
The Panel considers that skeletal muscle tissue repair is a beneficial physiological effect.
3.1. Szybsze ustępowanie zmęczenia mięśni po wysiłku (ID 738, 1492, 1493)
The references provided in relation to this claim included a number of narrative reviews, commentary papers, textbook chapters and animal studies. These references were either on food constituents (e.g. L-propionylcarnitine, and a combination of caffeine, carnitine and choline) unrelated to the food constituent which is the subject of the claim, or addressed outcomes (e.g. fatty acid oxidation, and muscle pain) unrelated to the claimed effect. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
One reference reporting on a pilot human intervention study on the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on muscle recovery after exercise in six trained and six untrained subjects was provided as a symposium report. The report contained insufficient information regarding randomisation and statistical analyses for a full scientific evaluation (Maggini et al., 2000). The Panel 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 consumption of L-carnitine and faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise.
3.2. Wpływ na regenerację mięśni szkieletowych (ID 738, 1492, 1493)
The references provided in relation to this claim included a number of narrative reviews, commentary papers, textbook chapters and animal studies. These references were either on food constituents (e.g. L-propionylcarnitine, and a combination of caffeine, carnitine and choline) unrelated to the food constituent which is the subject of the claim, or addressed outcomes (e.g. fatty acid oxidation, and muscle pain) unrelated to the claimed effect. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
No references were provided which assessed the effects of L-carnitine consumption on muscle tissue repair after exercise.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnitine and skeletal muscle tissue repair.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
Max 200 mg per day
