Vitamin B5
and L-Carnitine
It
has been suggested that Vitamin B5
(pantothenic acid) can cause weight loss. However, there are no studies
with humans that support this theory. It is reported to raise good
cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.
Vitamin B5
is essential to many of your body's natural processes. So, there are
not many side effects. A listed possible adverse reaction is eosinophilic pleural effusion.
L-carnitine
is made by the body and plays a role in fat and protein metabolism. It
may enhance energy production and the heart's function. (If you have a
heart condition, you should discuss this with your doctor.) L-carnitine
may lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Like Vitamin B5,
there are no studies that show it helps with weight loss.
L-carnitine
has had no sever toxicity reported. Occasional mild gastrointestinal
symptoms have been noted. L-carnitine
is sometimes used as a supplement for low birth weight babies
and D-carnitine
should be avoid so as not to have a deficiency in L-carnitine.
This should be discussed with your pediatrician. It should also be
avoided in people with liver disease.
It is important you
discuss any weight loss or exercise plan with your doctor. Only you and
your physician can decide what is best for you. Some people have
certain conditions that prevent them from doing all exercises, and goal
body weights may be different for different people. You need to discuss
all these things with your physician before starting any weight loss or
exercise program.
This
article was written by
John
Vickery, MD.
References
Am
Fam Physician. 2004 Nov 1;70(9):1731-8.
Lexi-Comp database
accessed on 4/26/08.
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