Skeletal muscle wasting Loss of skeletal muscle mass is associated with a decrease in muscle strength and occurs with aging (119), as well as in several pathological conditions (120-122)
For instance, one placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated significant improvements in bench press and leg lifting volume along with beneficial changes in total antioxidant capacity in men who supplemented with carnitine daily but not around their workout for nine weeks (6)
Another randomized placebo-controlled trial in 2,330 patients with acute MI, L-carnitine therapy (9 g/day intravenously for five days, then 4 g/day orally for six months) did not affect the risk of heart failure and death six months after MI (50)
Yes, especially when combined with a calorie-restricted diet and strength exercise
Nevertheless, the observations are interesting and have been subsequently followed up by a study that showed 12 weeks of daily carnitine and carbohydrate feeding in humans increases skeletal muscle total carnitine content and prevents body mass accrual associated with carbohydrate feeding alone (3)
