Studies show that carnitine supplementation may help lower pain levels and boost the mental health of people with FMS, and may lessen fatigue in those with ME/CFS. Researchers also found that people with either condition tolerated carnitine well.
Dosage
Studies have used a therapeutic dose of 500 mg of carnitine twice a day.
Carnitine in Your Diet
Several foods contain carnitine, including:
Meat (especially red meat)Dairy productsFishPoultryTempeh (fermented soybeans)WheatAsparagusAvocadosPeanut butter
Side Effects
High carnitine levels can lead to side effects. Serious ones include:
Rapid heart rateIncrease in blood pressureFever
Less serious ones include:
VomitingNauseaHeadacheDiarrheaStuffy noseRestlessnessDifficulty sleeping (especially when taken late in the day)
Carnitine can impair thyroid hormone action, so you shouldn’t take it if your thyroid hormone levels are low or borderline low. It’s also not recommended for anyone on dialysis. Carnitine has a higher risk of negative interactions with other supplements, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider and/or pharmacist before taking it. It may be helpful to have a list of all of the medications and supplements you are taking readily for that conversation.
