Carnitine (L-carnitine) works as an antioxidant to fight free radicals

Overview

Carnitine helps the body turn fat into energy. The body makes it in the liver and kidneys and stores it in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain, and sperm.

Carnitine is found in avocados

Usually, the body makes all the carnitine it needs. However, when the body doesn't make enough or can't transport it into tissues, a supplement may be necessary.  Conditions, such as angina or intermittent claudication, can cause low levels of carnitine in the body, as can some medications.

Carnitine  acts as an antioxidant so may be effective in dealing with many conditions. Antioxidants fight harmful particles in the body known as free radicals, which damage cells and tamper with DNA.

Carnitine seems safe (but may not help much) with fatigue and improving athletic performance. For more serious conditions, a doctor should be consulted before using carnitine.

Health Conditions 

• Angina -- Some evidence shows that carnitine can be used along with conventional treatment for stable angina. Several clinical trials show that L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine can help reduce symptoms of angina and improve the ability of people with angina to exercise without chest pain. Do not self-treat chest pain with carnitine, however.
• Heart attack -- A few studies have found that carnitine may help when used with conventional medicines after a heart attack, but not all studies agree. Some small studies suggest that people who take L-carnitine supplements soon after a heart attack may be less likely to have another heart attack, die of heart disease, have chest pain and abnormal heart rhythms, or develop heart failure. However, other studies have shown no benefit. Treatment with oral carnitine may also improve muscle weakness. Carnitine should be used along with conventional medication under your health care provider supervision.
• Heart failure -- A few small studies have suggested that carnitine (usually propionyl-L-carnitine) can help reduce symptoms of heart failure and improve exercise capacity in people with heart failure. However, more studies are needed to know for sure.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease -- Decreased blood flow to the legs from atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries (where plaque builds up in the arteries) often causes an aching or cramping pain in the legs while walking or exercising. This pain is called intermittent claudication, and the reduced blood flow to the legs is called peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Several studies show that carnitine can help reduce symptoms and increase the distance that people with intermittent claudication can walk. Most studies have used propionyl-L-carnitine. 
• Diabetic Neuropathy -- Diabetic neuropathy happens when high blood sugar levels damage nerves in the body, especially the arms, legs, and feet, causing pain and numbness. Some small preliminary studies suggest acetyl-L-carnitine may help reduce pain and increase feeling in affected nerves. It is also possible that carnitine can help nerves regenerate. More research is needed.
• Exercise Performance -- Although carnitine is often taken to boost exercise performance, there is no evidence it works.
• Weight Loss -- No scientific evidence exists to show that L-carnitine works for weight loss. Some studies do show that oral carnitine reduces fat mass, increases muscle mass, and reduces fatigue, which may contribute to weight loss in some people.
• Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Impairment -- The evidence is mixed as to whether carnitine is useful in treating Alzheimer's disease. Several early studies showed that acetyl-L-carnitine might help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease, relieve depression related to senility and other forms of dementia, and improve memory in the elderly. But larger and better-designed studies found it didn’t help at all. People should take carnitine for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia only under the supervision of their health care provider.
• Kidney Disease and Dialysis -- Because the kidneys make carnitine, kidney disease could lead to low levels of carnitine in the body. Your health care provider may prescribe carnitine for kidney disease, don't take it without medical supervision.
• Male Infertility -- Low sperm counts have been linked to low carnitine levels in men. Several studies suggest that L-carnitine supplements may increase sperm count and mobility.
• Erectile Dysfunction -- Preliminary studies suggest propionyl-L-carnitine may help improve male sexual function. One study found that carnitine improved the effectiveness of sidenafil (Viagra) in men with diabetes who had not previously responded to Viagra. In another study, a combination of propionyl-L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine improved the effectiveness of Viagra in men who had erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery. More studies are needed.
• Peyronie's Disease -- One study compared acetyl-L-carnitine to the medication tamoxifen in 48 men with this condition. Acetyl-L-carnitine worked better than tamoxifen at reducing pain during sex and reducing the curve of the penis. Acetyl-L-carnitine also had fewer side effects than tamoxifen. More research is needed.
• Hyperthyroidism -- Some research suggests that L-carnitine may help prevent or reduce symptoms of an overactive thyroid, such as insomnia, nervousness, heart palpitations, and tremors. In one study, a small group of people with hyperthyroidism saw these symptoms improve, and their body temperature become normal, when taking carnitine. Researchers think carnitine may work by blocking the action of thyroid hormone, which could be dangerous for people with low thyroid levels. Don’t take carnitine for hyperthyroidism without your doctor’s supervision.

Dietary Sources
Red meat (particularly lamb) and dairy products are the main food sources of carnitine. It can also be found in fish, poultry, tempeh, wheat, asparagus, avocados, and peanut butter.

Available Forms
Carnitine is available as a supplement in a variety of forms.

• L-carnitine: the most widely available and least expensive
• Acetyl-L-carnitine: Often used in studies for Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders
• Propionyl-L-carnitine: Often used in studies for heart disease and peripheral vascular disease

Avoid D-carnitine supplements. They interfere with the natural form of L-carnitine and may produce unwanted side effects. In some cases, L-carnitine may be taken by prescription or given intravenously by a health care provider.


Source: Carnitine (L-carnitine) | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/carnitine-lcarnitine#ixzz2j2Hel9ep
University of Maryland Medical Center
Follow: @UMMC on Twitter | MedCenter on Facebook

More is not better: Americans struggle with obesity

By Michael Aland

Obesity is a major problem, not only in America, but also in most countries, both developed and developing.  Childhood obesity statistics show that obese children and especially those in the teenage years have a 70% chance of being obese as adults.  This percentage increases to 80% if either one or both of the parents are obese(Hunt 23).  The epidemic of childhood obesity needs to be put to an end.  Who or what is ultimately responsible for childhood obesity?

While searching for major causes of childhood obesity, I came upon a very interesting article, which had a very different point of view than a majority of articles on the same topic, which read, “Obesity should be viewed as a consequence of a toxic environment, rather than the population failing to take enough personal responsibility” (Schwartz 79).  The article titled, “Actions Necessary to Prevent Childhood Obesity” by Marlene Schwartz, raises the argument that in order to make progress in decreasing the prevalence of obesity we must shift our views away from the medical aspect, and more toward public health, focusing on the population.  Schwartz gives many good examples of how a child can have the desire to make unhealthy choices just by driving down the street.  Children see many different signs, which draw their attention, most of which are fast-food establishments.  Children are drawn in but the parents who are driving them down the road are as well.  Essentially we are being enticed by these fast-food conglomerates everywhere we go.

Schwartz explains that humans are predisposed to prefer sweet foods, and as infants learn to prefer the flavor of high fat and high salt foods(78).  Learning at such a young age to desire these types of food, will have a lasting effect that is not going to magically disappear as you get older.  Eating healthy is critical while trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Majority of Americans lead very busy and stressful lives, and when it comes to the end of the day, eating healthy isn’t really thought about.  Most of the time the easiest way to deal with hunger at the end of the day is to pick up food instead of cooking it.  This isn’t good when you have been snacking on donuts from the office and topping it off with a sixty-four ounce Coke.  Schwartz makes very valid points that most of us would never think about.  The marketing toward children alone to eat unhealthy is extremely high.  There is a wide range of advertising techniques that specifically target children.

While searching along the lines of different types of marketing toward children, a very well written article comes into view, “Catchy Cartoons, Wayward Websites and Mobile Marketing:  Food Marketing to Children in a Global World.”  In this article, Clare Corbett and Colin Walker state, by 2050, 70% of girls and 55% of boys will be overweight or obese, compared to 30% obesity rate today.  This article shows many types of marketing and how it affects children, stating very similar arguments as the article mentioned earlier, concerning how marketing can affect all of us.  Corbett brings up the main argument of low regulations regarding the promotion of unhealthy food toward children on television, and how they need to become stricter.  Television is not to blame alone; the internet and mobile marketing need to raise the bar as well. 

The way unhealthy foods are presented to us can and does have an effect on how decisions are made.  The way certain things are marketed is very appealing to some, and not so appealing to others. Marketing alone can’t be the only reason for this epidemic.  The way the argument was presented in the article, pointed fingers only at the marketing and not anywhere else.  There are some very good points, but not enough for anyone to close the book on the subject.

Many theories explain how humans are genetically wired to become obese.  Nothing they try or do will make them average weight.  There are doctors researching, countless hours, trying to find a solution if there is one.  One day maybe finding this no-name gene and eliminate it. 

A group out of the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, research and compare parental feeding styles and tried to predict the outcome, trying to see whether these associations were dependent on children’s predisposition to obesity.  The article entitled, “Parental Feeding Attitudes and Styles and Child Body Mass Index: Prospective Analysis of a Gene-Environmental Interaction,” shows the results of 57 families that were tested ranging from high risk families to low risk families ages 3 to 7.  The authors come to the conclusion of the relationship between parental feeding styles and child’s BMI scores that suggest a gene-environment interaction, which in turn may produce additional weight gain. 

This just shows how vital it is to provide a firm foundation for children, centered on healthy eating habits.  When children are fed garbage food, something is triggered which reprograms children to want garbage, altering children’s genes in the process.  The lasting effects of unhealthy dieting are not something anyone should ever want for their children.

Continuing research down the path of healthy dieting, an article was found which made things even harder to understand.  The article titled, “Tackling the Epidemic of Childhood Obesity,” in which there is a quote that is very interesting.  Louise Baur, a member of the Canadian Medical Association states, “There shouldn’t be more promotion of physical activity in schools to reduce childhood obesity, but how schools should focus more on the dietary modification of the child.  Baur explains several benefits from physical activity in schools, including improvements in bone mineral density, blood pressure, lean muscle mass and aerobic capacity(701).  Ultimately she concludes the only way to go is to modify the diets of the children.

Does she plan on customizing personal diet plans for every child?  How can anyone make a statement, be so sure of it, and not even come up with a way to accomplish it?  Seeing through personal experience the effects of heavier-set friends dealing both with dietary and physical struggles, knowing that through staying active and maintaining a healthy diet, great things can be accomplished. 

Candida Hunt, the author of, “Tackling Childhood Obesity” introduces Health, Nutrition for the Really Young (HENRY) training courses for preventing childhood obesity.  The courses, which provide training for health and community practitioners working with families, combine key elements for a healthy lifestyle.  Hunt shows an effective way she has proven can work.  There needs to be a want, or desire to become healthy.  There are some families that need the additional help.  Hunt through hard work and diligence came up with a game plan to tackle the epidemic by teaching the entire family how to, and what they need to do to better themselves. 

Searching far and wide, hoping to uncover some sort of solution, to find one or many different ways to prevent childhood obesity, and coming to the conclusion that there isn’t just one solution.  Maybe the key is to look into all aspects and choose for yourself what you need to do.  Even if someone is genetically wired to become obese, that doesn’t mean he/she should give up hope and become an unhealthy person.  We need to make a change and just knowing how or what the changes may be will increase our chance of making it happen.

References:

Baur, L. (2009). Tackling the Epidemic of Childhood Obesity. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 108(7), 701-702. Retrieved Sept 10, 2013, from the Academic Search Premier database.

Corbett, C., & Walker, C. (2009). Catchy Cartoons, Wayward Websites and Mobile Marketing: Food Marketing to Children in a Global World. Education Review, 21(2), 84-92. Retrieved Sept 10, 2013, from the Academic Search Premier database.

Faith, M. (2004). Parental Feeding Attitudes and Styles and Child Body Mass Index: Prospective Analysis of a Gene-Environment Interaction. Pediatrics, 114(4), 429-436. Retrieved Sept 9, 2013, from the Academic Search Premier database.

Hunt, C. (2009). Tackling Childhood Obesity. Primary Health Care, 19(4), 22-24. Retrieved Sept 9, 2013, from the Academic Search Premier database.

Schwartz, M., & Brownell, K. (2007). Actions Necessary to Prevent Childhood Obesity. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 35(1), 78-89. Retrieved Sept 10, 2013, from the Academic Search Premier database.

John WM Macy's CheeseSticks...The Perfect Crunch

By Angelene Heileson

One of my favorite food combinations is bread and cheese.  I could eat it all the time, all day.  Well I think I just found the best of both worlds in one product.

In his New York City apartment John Wm. Macy would make weekly batches of CheeseSticks. In turn he would sell them.  John realized soon enough that, if he was going to do anything with this, he needed to set up a shop elsewhere.  He opened a small shop on the Lower East Side of Manhattan where he launched John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks.  CheeseSticks are twisted snacks made from sourdough and then seasoned.  They are baked twice to give them a crispy crunch.  After CheeseSticks grew in popularity, John added CheeseCrisps and SweetSticks to his product line.

CheeseSticks can now be found nationwide in many gourmet, natural, and specialty stores, as well as supermarket chains and luxury hotels, or purchased online at www.cheesesticks.com.  CheeseSticks are also available in specialty tins and gift packages.

CheeseSticks come in 13 different flavors ranging from Melting Parmesan to Madagascar Vanilla Dessert Twists.  CheeseSticks are great for dipping in soups, CheeseCrisps are awesome with cream cheese on top and can be added to salads, and SweetSticks can be added to any desert or hot beverage.  Of course, all of these are delicious when eaten all by themselves too.

The CheeseSticks website is full of recipes on how to use the products. It has recipes for appetizers, entrees, deserts and snacks.  Each recipe has a rating to which you can also contribute.  Also, you can share your own recipe made with CheeseSticks.  Though I love Cheesesticks enough to eat them plain, it's fun to look at all the other amazing ways that CheeseSticks can be eaten.

If it isn't clear already, you should know that I am a huge fan of CheeseSticks products.  I have searched and discovered the grocery store nearest to me that carries their products.  I am excited to share these with everyone around me.  I love how crunchy CheeseSticks, CheeseCrisps and SweetSticks are, but I also love that they are bursting with flavor in each and every bit.  When I ate the Orginal Cheddar CheeseSticks, I dipped them in a homemade chicken noodle soup.  Wow!  The soup absorbed the flavor from the sticks and the soup tasted that much better.

*CheeseSticks generously provided samples and images for this prize. This has in no way affected my opinion.*

Tips for Avoiding Computer Eye Strain

The majority of people today in offices spend a great deal of their time in front of the computer screen. Once people get home from work, they tend to fire up the home computer and use it for personal reasons. All this computer use leaves a lot of people experiencing what the American Optometric Association refers to as “computer vision syndrome.” The good news is that there are preventative measures that can be taken to help keep the problems to a minimum.

“We can’t avoid spending a lot of time in front of computer screens, these days. It’s become a part of our everyday lives,” explains Dr. Edward Kondrot, founder of the Healing The Eye & Wellness Center. “But the same type of stress can also come from watching television, reading, or doing anything that places a long-term strain on our eyes. It is important to do things to help avoid the problem and to keep us from feeling the symptoms.”

Computer vision syndrome has a range of symptoms that include headaches, blurred and double vision, inability to focus, eyestrain, neck and shoulder pain, and watery or dry eyes. It can be caused from spending a prolonged period of time putting strain on the eye. Here are some tips for helping to prevent computer vision syndrome:

• Vitamins and minerals. Considering that the eyes have one of the highest energy requirements in the body, it is important that they get proper amounts of vitamins and minerals. Dr. Kondrot recommends that people use Vision Saver Formula, manufactured by Nutritional Research, which offers key antioxidants and ingredients that will help improve the health of the eye and reduce eyestrain.
• Homeopathy.  Speak with a practitioner to find a level of therapy that will work for your individual circumstances. One of the most common homeopathic remedies to treat eye strain is Ruta Graveolens. This remedy can greatly reduce the symptoms of eye strain during prolonged computer use.
• Blinking. To help keep the eyes from becoming dry, try to blink often. This will help to keep the eye surface moist and prevent it from drying out. Try opening and closing your eyes in a slower motion, giving your eye more time to become moistened.
• Palming. Close your eyes and gently rest the heels of your hands on your cheekbones, covering your eyes with your palms. Imagine and visualize blackness. At the same time, feel your breathing.  Breathe deeply, slowly, and evenly, through your nose. The slower you breathe, the better.
• Increase the light. Not having a light on when you are using the computer (or television) can put more of a strain on your eyes. Be sure to put a light on, to help reduce the strain.
• Check the position. The position of your computer can add to your eye strain. It is important that it is positioned a good distance away, around 20-28 inches from the eye, and that there are no glares on it. Re-position your computer to provide maximum eye comfort.
• Take breaks. Even while on the job, it is important to give your eyes a break when using the computer. Ideally, aim for a 15-minute computer break every two hours, and look away from the computer screen for 20 seconds at least every 20 minutes.

“These are all small steps, on their own, but doing them will add up to helping prevent your eyes from straining,” adds Dr. Kondrot. “The more we can do to prevent problems with our eyes, the better. We need to take proper care of them, just as we do other parts of our body.”

Dr. Kondrot is the author of three best-selling books, including “10 Essentials to Save Your Sight” (Advantage Media Group, July 2012), and president of the Arizona Homeopathic and Integrative Medical Association. He has founded the Healing The Eye & Wellness Center, located just north of Tampa, Fla., which offers alternative and homeopathic routes to vision therapies known as the “Kondrot Program.” The program focuses on such conditions as macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, cataracts, and others. His advanced programs have helped people from around the world restore their vision. The center sits on 50 acres of land and features a 14,000-square-foot state-of-the art complex, an organic ranch, jogging trails, swimming pool, hot tub, and more. For more information, visit the site at www.healingtheeye.com.

About Health The Eye & Wellness Center

The Healing The Eye & Wellness Center is located 30 miles north of Tampa, in Dade City, Fla. Founded by Dr. Edward Kondrot, the Center offers world-class alternative therapies for vision conditions, including color and vision therapy, the treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eye, and more. The center also offers a variety of seminars, webinars, and training sessions for others in the medical community. Dr. Kondrot is the world’s only board-certified ophthalmologist and board-certified homeopathic physician. He is also author of three best-selling books in the field. For more information, visit the site at www.healingtheeye.com.