Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Reducing body fat with Coenzyme Q10 plus Carnitine

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and L-carnitine are two substances that play essential roles in the biochemical dismantling of fat molecules to draw off their energy. Both are found in mitochondria — the energy-extracting apparatus of cells.

It has been speculated that fat deposition in the body might be reversed if one could selectively disrupt the process whereby fats are processed in mitochondria. One basic strategy would be to waste some of the energy which normally would be captured during fat metabolism — this energy would be dissipated as heat instead of being stored in ATP molecules. The body would then need to draw upon stored body fat in order to make up the energy deficit.¹ Another approach would be to inhibit enzymes involved in the resynthesis of fats for storage in fat cells.

Experiments reported on in 1999 lent support to the first approach.² Researchers stated that “Joint administration of pyruvate, hydroxycitrate, and carnitine to obese subjects was associated with a remarkable rate of body-fat loss and thermogenesis.”

We now have evidence that the second approach also works. According to a report on the JapanCorp.net website, an experiment using a combination of CoQ10 and L-carnitine “substantially reduces the amount and percentage of body fat as well as the waist size.” The combination is said to inhibit the activity of an enzyme that promotes fat synthesis.³

References

[1]  Hepatothermic therapy of obesity: rationale and an inventory of resources. Med Hypotheses. 2001 Sep;57(3):324-36

[2]  Pyruvate and hydroxycitrate/carnitine may synergize to promote reverse electron transport in hepatocyte mitochondria, effectively 'uncoupling' the oxidation of fatty acids. Med Hypotheses. 1999 May;52(5):407-16

[3]  Nisshin Pharma Confirms that Combination of CoQ10 and Carnitine Helps Reduce Body Fat japancorp.net website

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LifeLink carries CoQ10 in 30 mg and 90 mg capsules, and Acetyl-L-Carnitine in 500 mg capsules.