Achieving Peak Athletic Performance WIthout Drugs

ERGOGENESITS ACHIEVING PEAK ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE WirHour DRUGS CARNITINE by FRED C. HATFIELD IPH.D. ost people probably have never heard of carvaline, which contribute up to 10% of energy producnitine. I myself previously had seen carnitine tion during intensive exercise. mentioned only as a passing reference in an assist in maintaining normal energy output during periother wise comprehensive textbook. sion that it was a rather obscure, unimportant biochemiods of fasting or reduced intake of fat or carbohydrate, as occurs during strict dieting.

One problem with certain diets involves ketosis, cal substance.

It was during a personal interview with Dr.

Guillermo A. Laich of Madrid, Spain, that the subject the overprotection of ketones which is the by-product of incomplete combustion of fat. of carnitine again entered my consciousness. Dr. Laich, TOTAL CARNITINE one of the foremost experts in sports medicine and human performance, suggested that carnitine, because of its unique biological properties, may play an important role in endurance athletic events. He further stated that carnitine is absolutely essential in cellular fat transport.

How can this mysterious substance, familiar to only biochemists, improve sports performance? Carnitine was discovered in meat extracts in 1905 by the Russian scientists Gulewitsch and Krimberg.

They named it after the Latin word, carnis, which means meat of flesh. limes more concentrated in muscle meat as compared during diets that are extremely low in carbohydrates or to blood plasma, the scientists assumed it played a part calories. in muscular function. brain and nervous system, leading to dehydration as the Large amounts of ketones can be toxic to the Exactly how carnitine functions in the human body attempts to eliminate them through the kidneys. body was first hypothesized by Doctors Fritz and Yue.

This diuretic effect results in loss of valuable elec- Working with liver cells, they noted that carnitine trolytes such as potassium causing extreme weakness seemed to act as a fat carrier, allowing fat to be transand fatigue. ported into the mitochrondia of cells, where it is used as Working with rats, Dr. Y. Yeh reported in a 1981 issue of the “Journal of Nutrition” that carnitine has an energy.

This discovery has tremendous implications for anti-ketogenic effect. athletes, because it seems to indicate that carnitine may carnitine may help minimize the effects of fat-burning accelerate the fat oxidation (burning) process. associated with dieting. Carnitine can be obtained from would lead to lower body fat as well as increased longmuscle meats and animal protein foods, and can be synthesized from two amino acids, lysine and methionine. lerm energy substrate for more intense workouts.

There are other health benefits of carnitine. stimulates the burning of animo acids leucine and The above chart indicates the natural carnitine content of some selected foods.

Carnitine is virtually non-existent in vegetables acids.

By promoting maximal cellular uptake of fats, and fruits, most strict vegetarian diets are low in the carnitine may ease the work load of the heart. carnitine building blocks of lysine and methionine. amount of fatty acids at one time can precipitate a fatal Vegetarians risk carnitine deficiency unless the missing heart rhythm disturbance called ventricular arrhythmia. nutrients are supplemented in the diet.

By helping transport fats into the cells, carnitine may explains why most bodybuilders who go on a strict veghelp prevent this type of dangerous heart irregularity. etarian diet (“vegans”) notice an immediate loss of In summary it is apparent that carnitine may strength and muscle function. (The lack of vitamin Benhance several physiological functions relevant to ath- 12 in these diets also may be a factor.) letes.

It plays an essential role in transportation of fat In order for carnitine to be synthesized in the to the cells where it is burned for energy. By promoting body a few accessory nutrients which act as comaximum cellular uptake of fat, carnitine can improve enzymes or Catalysts must be present. fat metabolism and possibly aid in lowering bodyfat amino acids lysine and methionine, this process levels. requires Vitamins C, B-6 and niacin as well as iron.

As with amino acids carnitine is found in two basic forms, L-carnitine and D-carnitine. only toxic effect noted with the L form has been a tran- Carnitine may allow a more efÏcient processing of fat, leading to increased energy levels for long term activities such as aerobic exercise and long weight training sessions. sient diarrhea, which occurred when huge doses were given.

Research indicates that carnitine, coupled with other nutrients, may spare dieters of some of the However the D-isomer can be toxic to the body by blocking the cellular uptake of the more useful L form. unpleasant side effects of restricted food intake, such as ketosis.

This can lead to a myasthenia-like syndrome characterized by severe muscle weakness.

Unfortunately, L-carnitine, the most useful form of this nutrient, currently is available in only prohibialso inhibits the enzymes which allow L-carnitine to tively expensive forms. However, don’t despair! Since transport fat into the cell, thus inhibiting the fat burning the major portion of carnitine can be biosynthesized process. from other building block nutrients, you can increase Some health food stores are selling a carnitine product which combined the D and L forms. to avoid this type of product for the reasons stated your body’s supply of carnitine by ingesting generous amounts of the amino acids lysine and methionine, bolstered by iron and vitamins C and B-6. above.

Carnitine may be valuable in treating certain *This article was reprinted by permission from Dr. Fred heart diseases, particularly hardening of the arteries. In Hatfield's “Ergogenesis.” For further information Europe, doctors prescribe carnitine for this purpose. please feel free to write to: Sports Conditioning The preferred metabolic fuel of the heart is fatty Services, P.O. Box 222, Canoga Park, CA 91305 Super Form Amino Acips * 25 Mg. of Carnitine $34.95 250 ct.

'¥ $49.00 A must for every weight room— Motivational and Instructional Stefan Fernholm demonstrates proper form in a series of 5 SPEED: Stefan runs a 4.3 forty! sprint technique system!

| PLYOMETRICS: stefan | demonstrates beginning and |technique. poazeelitotally:t o.doleverything possible to be the best. Simply EVERY Weight Room!

From BFS Magazine — Summer 1993. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).