Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Heart Disease And Carnitine
In a 1997 study (Neuropsychobiology, 1997;35:16-23) the effects of the drug Amantadine on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were compared with L-carnitine. While Amantadine is a commonly prescribed anti-viral drug, L-carnitine is a natural amino acid derived from protein. It plays a vital role in energy production and fatty acid metabolism. Results revealed that, while Amantadine was poorly tolerated and did not lead to improvements, carnitine had virtually no side effects and led to clinical improvements in 12 of 18 parameters studied.
In an unrelated study (Cardiovascular Drugs Ther, 1999;13:537-546), 20 patients suffering from class II or III cardiac insufficiency received L-carnitine supplements for 120 days. After 60 days of supplementation, the group achieved significant improvements in performance, and these improvements were still maintained at 180 days, or 60 days after supplementation was discontinued.
