Preventive Role of L-Carnitine and Balanced Diet in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

<jats:p>The prevention or alleviation of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is a challenge for contemporary health services. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the prevention or alleviation of AD by introducing an appropriate carnitine-rich diet, dietary carnitine supplements and the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet, which contains elements of the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. L-carnitine (LC) plays a crucial role in the energetic metabolism of the cell. A properly balanced diet contains a substantial amount of LC as well as essential amino acids and microelements taking part in endogenous carnitine synthesis. In healthy people, carnitine biosynthesis is sufficient to prevent the symptoms of carnitine deficiency. In persons with dysfunction of mitochondria, e.g., with AD connected with extensive degeneration of the brain structures, there are often serious disturbances in the functioning of the whole organism. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high consumption of fruits and vegetables, cereals, nuts, olive oil, and seeds as the major source of fats, moderate consumption of fish and poultry, low to moderate consumption of dairy products and alcohol, and low intake of red and processed meat. The introduction of foodstuffs rich in carnitine and the MIND diet or carnitine supplementation of the AD patients may improve their functioning in everyday life.</jats:p>

Combined Metabolic Activators Improves Cognitive Functions in Alzheimer’s Disease

“…More importantly, fatty acid oxidation and carnitine metabolism were significantly facilitated, as shown by the robust increase in plasma levels of carnitine. These findings fit well with recent human data showing that severe disturbances in carnitine metabolism frequently occur in individuals with AD, in association with severe mitochondrial dysfunction 51,52 . Cristofano et al showed a progressive decrease in carnitine serum levels in individuals shifting from normal status to AD, suggesting that decreased serum concentrations of carnitine may predispose to AD 53 .…”

Role of Carnitine in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Other Related Diseases: An Update

“…Carnitine, a natural compound closely related to the above-mentioned functions, has recently been found to alter the underlying disease pathology with fewer side effects ( 5 , 36 ). It has been reported that L-carnitine as a supplement can be useful in the treatment of hypertension ( 37 ), diabetes mellitus ( 6 , 7 ), NAFLD ( 34 ), heart failure ( 38 ), coronary artery disease ( 39 ), liver cirrhosis ( 40 ), muscle injury ( 41 ), dyslipidemia ( 42 ), migraine ( 43 ), Alzheimer's disease ( 44 ), and other chronic diseases.…”

The Neuroprotective Effect of L-Carnitine against Glyceraldehyde-Induced Metabolic Impairment: Possible Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Several studies have provided evidence of the defects in the biosynthesis and metabolism of LC in AD patients [21,[60][61][62], and low concentrations of LC and its derivatives were found in both plasma and tissues of AD patients [20,21,60]. In particular, a progressive decrease in LC derivatives was observed in the serum of subjects affected by increasingly severe cognitive decline up to AD, in comparison with those in healthy subjects [20].…”

“…Interestingly, while GA significantly inhibited glycolysis, LC was ineffective in restoring this metabolic pathway. LC may support brain energy homeostasis and ATP synthesis by supplying acyl groups to mitochondria [60] or, alternatively, it is tempting to speculate the involvement of mitochondrial biogenesis [70]. Regardless of the mechanism, LC can be seen as an alternative source of energy under the condition of a glycolytic flow reduction, which is often observed in early-stage AD [71,72].…”