Acetyl L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine. Low levels of the carnitine compound acylcarnitine in the blood or muscles of people with CFS/FMS have been found by two different research centers.57,58 Carnitine plays many roles in the body. It has the critical function of preventing the mitochondria from being shut down when the system backs up. Also, without sufficient carnitine, the body cannot burn fat (and, in fact, makes excess fat), resulting in large weight gains. L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring form of carnitine that is only found in animal flesh (think "Carni-vore"), and any brand is fine as long as it is pure Acetyl L-Carnitine. Although you may not see a marked effect, it helps lay the foundation for your getting better and may help you lose any weight you gained. Take 500 mg twice a day for 4 months.
References:
57. A.V. Plioplys and S. Plioplys, "Amantadine and L-Carnitine Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," Neuropsychobiology 35 (1) (1997): 16-23.
58. H. Kuratsune, K. Yamaguti, M. Takahashi, et al., "Acylcarnitine Deficiency in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," Clinical Infectious Disease 18 (3 Supplement 1) (January 1994): S62-S67.
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
