carnitine
Meaning of carnitine: Carnitine is a naturally occurring compound that shuttles fatty acids into cells' mitochondria so they can be converted into usable energy.
Definition of carnitine
Carnitine is a compound made by the body, primarily in the liver and kidneys, and also obtained from foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and some dairy products. It plays a central role in how cells generate energy from fat.
Carnitine works by carrying long chain fatty acids across the membrane of the mitochondria, the structures within a cell where fatty acids are broken down to release usable energy. Without adequate carnitine, cells cannot efficiently import these fatty acids for this energy producing process.
Most people produce and consume enough carnitine to meet the body's needs, and true carnitine deficiency is uncommon, though it can occur in certain inherited metabolic disorders or as a result of some chronic illnesses, in which case carnitine is used as a targeted treatment rather than a general supplement.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
Carnitine levels were measured as part of the evaluation for a suspected metabolic disorder.
Good to know
Carnitine supplementation is used as a targeted treatment for documented deficiency states, a different situation from its marketing as a general energy or weight loss supplement, where evidence of benefit is limited.
Word origin
Where “carnitine” comes from
Formed from Latin carnis, meaning flesh or meat, reflecting its original isolation from meat tissue.