[Fwd: L-carnitine generic liquid and Twinlab OTC]

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If you plan to supplement with carnitine in any way, this archive

message will be of interest, especially for those of you whose children

are following special diets and avoiding artificial flavorings and

coloring. Another option would be to get the carnitine specially

compounded at a compounding pharmacy to eliminate any of the undesired

ingredients.

--------Original message --------

Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 18:01:53 -0000

From: Kathleen Eickwort <Kathleen_E@...>

We found out that Benny is deficient in l-carnitine in his bloodwork

(and selenium too, but

that's another story). I saw his pediatrician and she said she didn't

know how to treat

carnitine deficiency in a child and I should figure it out and give him

something. So I

looked at the prescribing details for the levocarnitine that is

using and also at

some other respectable OTC brands. I figured if I needed to I would

twist my primary care

physician's arm to give Ben an Rx.

For a couple of decades, I was under the care of a pioneer in

environmental medicine,

Sherry , MD. She often ordered nutrients from Twinlab, which is a

very reliable and

allergen-conscious brand of supplements. The prescription levocarnitine

liquid contains

artificial cherry flavoring and sucrose (and I think artificial color as

well). The web page for

the metabolic fatty acid disorders which stresses that OTC carnitine

supplements didn't

dissolve well is sponsored by the company that manufactures

Carnitor...so I'm not sure it

is exactly an unbiased source, plus this does not apply to a liquid

preparation.

I compared this generic levocarnitine Rx, which I couldn't get anyway

unless I convinced a

doctor to order it, to Twinlab's Mega L-Carnitine Liquid. The latter has

glycerine for a

carbohydrate and sweetener, which is a component of phospolipid

membranes and

probably better for our kids than sucrose. It is gluten-free (checked

with the

manufacturer) and although it also has sorbitol, it's only 0.5 g/tbsp,

and 500 mg of

carnitine/tbsp. It is mild-flavored, although as I'm sure you know that

doesn't mean any

particular picky kid will take it willingly.

Since it contains 500 mg/15 ml, and Ben weighs 54 lbs or 24.5 kg, at 35

mg/Kg/day he

would need 8 or 9 ml, three times a day. He generally takes meds

squirted into his mouth

with a measuring syringe pretty well so this might be a viable option.

I believe they have an orange-flavored version too, but this one is very

mild and probably

vanilla, I can't quite tell, but at least it's GF and free of a whole

list of other common

allergens.

Yesterday I saw my cardiologist and mentioned that I was caring for Ben

(had a picture)

and he was deficient in carnitine and selenium. She immediately asked me

if we were

supplementing...it's pretty important. Oh, one more thing. Mega

L-Carnitine also has

some pantothenic acid which is a B-vitamin only present in fresh fruits

and veggies (of

which Ben eats zero), and it helps metabolize carnitine. I think that

is a plus.

I have no commercial relationship to Twinlab, of course, but I do think

they are reliable.

You can order the Twinlab brand or pick it up at your local health food

store. I got mine in

just a few days from iHerb.com, but it is readily available. Also much

less expensive than

the prescription type.

Peace,

Kathy E.

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