STUDY: Human Trial Concludes L-Carnitine Better than TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) for treating Erectile Dysfunction & depression:
Abstract:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer … t=Abstract
Full text:
Human Trial Concludes L-Carnitine Better Than Testosterone in
Treating Erectile Dysfunction and Depression in Males
Journal of Urology, April, 2004
The April 2004 issue of the journal Urology published the findings of
Italian researchers that the amino acid carnitine was more active
than testosterone in improving symptoms of aging in men, such as
sexual dysfunction and depression, associated with the decline of
androgenic hormones. One thing though - participants received over 4
grams of L-Carnitine which is a bunch.
One hundred and twenty men between the ages of 60 and 74 with
symptoms of low testosterone were randomized to receive daily doses
of:
160 milligrams orally administered TESTOSTERONE UNDECANOATE,
2 grams PROPIONYL-L-CARNITINE and 2 grams ACETYL-L-CARNITINE,
or
a PLACEBO
for a six month period. Prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume,
nocturnal penile tumescence, total and free testosterone, prolactin,
luteinizing hormone, erectile function scores, depression, fatigue
and other parameters were assessed before treatment, at three months,
and after the treatment period.
Erectile function, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction and nocturnal
penile tumescence increased over the course of the study in the group
receiving TESTOSTERONE as well as the group receiving CARNITINE. In
addition, the group receiving CARNITINE experienced an increase in
orgasm and general sexual well-being. Erectile function and nocturnal
penile tumescence were significantly more improved in this group than
in those receiving TESTOSTERONE While both treatments lowered
depression scores, CARNITINE’S effect was greater.
Predictably, treatment with TESTOSTERONE increased serum total and
free testosterone and decreased luteinizing hormone levels, but
CARNITINE’S effect on these hormones was not significant. Treatment
with CARNITINE was not associated with an increase in prostate volume
as was TESTOSTERONE treatment after six months. PSA levels did not
increase in any of the groups.
Fatigue was likewise improved in both groups. As one negative effect,
the men taking TESTOSTERONE developed enlargement of their prostates,
which did not occur in the CARNITINE group. Although both
TESTOSTERONE and CARNITINE improved symptoms of male aging, there was
overall superior benefit to CARNITINE with no real side effects.
CARNITINE is an essential nutrient. It has vitamin-like qualities. It
is considered essential in helping to transport fatty acids into
mitochondria (the power plants of the cells). A deficiency in
carnitine can therefore result in an overall reduction in energy
production by the cells. It is well-known that individuals can become
carnitine-deficient for a number of reasons. L-carnitine, aside from
being an incredible anti-aging nutrient, also has shown benefit for
multiple medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease such as
angina and congestive heart failure, liver and kidney disease,
obstructive lung disease, and many others. L- carnitine has actually
even shown benefit in AIDS patients. Although it is unusual to see
physicians prescribing vitamins in the hospital, Acetyl l-Carnitine
is routinely prescribed by kidney specialists for their patients,
since the kidney is a major site of carnitine synthesis.
Although tissue carnitine levels have been found to be positively
associated with sex hormone levels, the findings of this study show
that the compound’s action is not strictly linked to sex hormone
blood levels. Carnitine’s mechanism of action against reactive oxygen
species (ROS) is different than conventional anti-ROS compounds tried
for conditions associated with male aging, which may help explain its
effectiveness
Urology. 2004 Apr;63(4):641-6. Carnitine versus androgen
administration in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, depressed
mood, and fatigue associated with male aging. Cavallini G, Caracciolo
S, Vitali G, Modenini F, Biagiotti G. Andrological Operative Unit,
Headquarters of Societa Italiana di Studi di Medicina della
Riproduzione, Bologna, Italy. Publication Types: Clinical Trial,
Randomized Controlled Trial
Notes:
Propionyl-L-Carnitine is not available at this time (2004) in the
United States.
Evidence exists that Acetyl L-Carnitine should be combined with Alpha
Lipoic Acid to prevent damage from “free radicals” which are a by-
product of Acetyl L-Carnitine’s action on cells.
(See this and further studies, links and sources in FILES section of
group homepage:
File names “AcetylLCarnitineVsTestosteroneStudy.doc”
and “Carnitine_vs_TestosteroneStudy.html”)