New studies show carnitine, often found in energy drinks, supplements and beef, can increase risk of cardiac disease
by Elizabeth Barker
If you thought you were safe from heart disease by skipping red meat, think again. A study published in Nature Medicine earlier this year shows that a compound called carnitine, found in beef, can speed up clogging of the arteries and raise your risk of heart disease. For the study, researchers tested nearly 2,600 people for their levels of carnitine and trimethylamine-N-oxide (or TMAO, an artery-hardening substance created when your body metabolizes carnitine). Results revealed that those with high levels of both carnitine and TMAO had increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and death from cardiac events. What’s more, researchers discovered that consuming carnitine appears to accelerate the growth of bacteria that assist the body in churning out TMAO.
Now here’s the catch. Carnitine is found not only in red meat, but also in many energy drinks and dietary supplements. Proponents claim that upping your carnitine intake can help build stamina and boost endurance, but lead study author Stanley Hazen warns against loading up on it. “Carnitine is not an essential nutrient,” Hazen notes. “Our body naturally produces all we need.”
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