Pediatricians often prescribe L-carnitine as a supplement for children. Levocarnitine is widely used to treat malnutrition, neurological disorders, and pathologies of the cardiovascular system. It can also be prescribed for prevention, in the presence of any provoking factors (prematurity, heredity).
In the adult body, L-carnitine is synthesized in insufficient quantities on its own. The produced compound is enough for no more than a third of the daily requirement. In a child’s body, the gastrointestinal tract is still immature, and therefore levocarnitine is produced in smaller quantities.
The role of L-carnitine for the child’s body
In the process of growth and development, a child’s body needs a lot of energy. Cell organelles such as mitochondria are responsible for the energy component of metabolism - they break down ATP molecules to produce large amounts of energy. Coenzymes take part in the process of energy metabolism - special compounds that accelerate the process of breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
Lipoic acid and levocarnitine are used as coenzymes in the human body. They participate in lipid transformation processes and help increase the body's energy potential. Normally, some of these compounds are synthesized in the body independently, and some enter the human body with food.
For children, L-carnitine is one of the most important components of harmonious development. But due to the immaturity of the digestive tract, unbalanced diet, and incorrect selection of formula, the level of levocarnitine can be significantly lower than normal, which negatively affects the development of the child’s body.
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Premature newborns
During intrauterine development, the child’s body receives levocarnitine from the mother’s body, through the bloodstream. L-carnitine is stored especially actively in the third trimester, when there is active growth of adipose tissue, maturation of the cerebral cortex, and production of surfactant in the lungs. Therefore, an acute deficiency of levocarnitine is observed precisely in children born prematurely - from 28 to 35 weeks of pregnancy. Such children have a number of characteristics:
- low body weight;
- insufficiency of adipose tissue;
- immaturity of the nervous system;
- absence of some or all reflexes;
- low Apgar scores;
- postnatal development delay syndrome;
- asphyxia and hypoxia.
Such children require more intensive monitoring, connection to mechanical ventilation and, if necessary, stay in the ICU. They are more prone to developing bacterial diseases and have impaired muscle tone.
The use of products with levocarnitine for newborns helps improve the energy potential of cells, which affects the baby’s entire body:
- an increase in the average daily weight gain;
- reduction in the number of neurological disorders;
- normalization of indicators of psychomotor and physical development.
Children under 12 months
L-carnitine plays a key role in the development of children in the first year of life. It improves the transport of nutrients to tissues and reduces the manifestations of hypoxia. When breastfeeding, a newborn may experience a deficiency of levocarnitine due to insufficient amounts of the substance in milk. In bottle-fed children, such a deficiency is less common and is associated with an imbalance in the composition of the milk formula.
In the first year of life, levocarnitine promotes the accumulation of adipose tissue, improves muscle trophism, and prevents the development of malnutrition. Since the child’s body is not yet able to fully synthesize this compound on its own, formulas for baby food are enriched with it. On such mixtures, the baby gains weight better, he is less likely to experience neurological disorders and insufficient absorption of nutrients. Therefore, children with low body weight and neurological development disorders may be prescribed medications and supplements containing levocarnitine.
Children over 1 year old
For children older than the first year of life, levocarnitine is still needed. During this period, the active development of the brain continues, the musculoskeletal and ligamentous apparatus is formed and strengthened. Impaired absorption of nutrients during this period can affect further development.
Products containing levocarnitine for children over 12 months of age are prescribed if the following disorders are observed:
- underweight;
- gastrointestinal pathologies that prevent normal absorption of nutrients;
- delayed psychomotor or speech development;
- heart rhythm disturbances.
Products with L-carnitine have a positive effect on the condition of tissues. The use of such additives improves myocardial trophism and increases blood supply to brain tissue.
In case of childhood obesity, the active substance helps convert fat deposits into energy. Therefore, supplements are prescribed to those children who are overweight, have low mobility, and muscle weakness.
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Teenagers
During adolescence, children experience pronounced changes in hormonal levels. First of all, this is due to puberty. Also during this period, intensive growth occurs, which requires a large amount of energy and creates additional stress on the heart and blood vessels.
Hormonal changes
Due to hormonal changes, obesity often begins to develop in adolescence. Then doctors prescribe L-carnitine for weight loss. It helps reduce the stress on the heart caused by excess weight and also helps reduce body fat.
Mental stress
For adolescents, L-carnitine is necessary during periods of increased mental stress. It prevents exhaustion of the body, improves concentration, and reduces fatigue. In this case, doctors recommend enriching the diet with necessary foods or taking special supplements.
Physical exercise
During intense physical activity, L-carnitine helps increase endurance by breaking down fat molecules into fatty acids. Fatty acids are better absorbed in the body, which releases a large amount of energy.
Strict diet
Adolescence is a period when a person begins to be especially critical of his body. It is at this age that the largest number of weight disorders, cases of anorexia, and food refusal occur. And such a desire for a beautiful figure can lead to acute nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, adolescents on a strict diet are advised to take additional levocarnitine to avoid severe depletion of the body.
Composition of the drug with L-carnitine
Purified water, concentrated extract of plant materials (plantain leaf, marigold flowers, nettle leaves, thyme herb, lingonberry leaves, salvia leaves, dandelion roots), L-carnitine (l - carnitine), antioxidants (citric acid E330, ascorbic acid E300 ), preservative (sodium benzoate E211), sweetener “Aspasvit-TS200” (contains E953, E954, E955).
Pharmacological group
Biologically active food additives.
pharmachologic effect
Anorexigenic, normalizing lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.
Causes and symptoms of deficiency
Previously, levocarnitine was classified as a vitamin. But later it was found that it can be synthesized in the body independently, so it was classified as a vitamin-like substance. L-carnitine deficiency can develop in the following cases:
- prematurity, which is accompanied by low body weight;
- immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract;
- gastrointestinal diseases that affect the absorption of nutrients from food;
- excessive physical activity;
- prolonged stress;
- intellectual loads;
- poor diet.
Deficiency is manifested by the following symptoms:
- increased fatigue;
- decreased immunity;
- loss of appetite;
- slowdown in physical and mental development;
- weak muscle tone;
- difficulty concentrating.
The above signs are non-specific. they accompany hypovitaminosis of most B vitamins. Therefore, to make an accurate diagnosis, you need to see a doctor.
Consequences of levocarnitine deficiency
L-carnitine deficiency is dangerous for the child’s body due to the following disorders:
- low body weight;
- delayed intellectual development;
- delayed physical and psychomotor development;
- muscle necrosis;
- myoglobinuria;
- hypoglycemia;
- lipid myopathy;
- fatty liver;
- cardiomyopathy;
- muscle pain;
- weakness.
If a carnitine deficiency is suspected, a mandatory examination is carried out, based on which the doctor selects the optimal dosage of the drug.
Ways to make up for the shortage
You can make up for the deficit in different ways:
- taking L-carnitine medications;
- enrichment of the diet.
It is also recommended to avoid fasting during the recovery period; at this time, it is better to transfer the child to feeding by the hour to prevent nutrient deficiency. During the treatment period, you should refrain from physical activity so that the body can independently accumulate more levocarnitine.
L-carnitine in capsules, tablets and syrups can only be used with the advice of a doctor. For therapy, it is better to select certified drugs that undergo quality control.
Before going to bed, it is recommended to consume foods containing corn starch - it has a long breakdown time, and therefore prevents the occurrence of morning hypoglycemia. Some patients are additionally prescribed essential fatty acids. For disorders of fatty acid oxidation, liver pathologies, small patients may be prescribed a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet for recovery.
Release forms
Levorcanitin supplements come in several forms:
- Drops (liquid solution). The optimal form for use in the therapy of young children. The solution is taken diluted with water or juice, compote, 30 minutes before the start of a meal. The substance in the solution stimulates the activity of digestive enzymes, improves appetite, and increases the efficiency of nutrient absorption.
- Pills. Produced in various dosages. They are effectively absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, but are partially destroyed in the stomach under the influence of gastric juice. Tablets, unlike drops, are absorbed after 2-3 hours, and therefore can be taken regardless of food intake. Due to the wide variety of dosages, they can be used both for children over 3 years old and for adults. During physical activity, it is more effective to use tablets 2 hours before training.
- Capsules. Enteric capsules with L-carnitine are convenient because they protect the active substance from destruction in the mouth and stomach. This form of release implies the most effective absorption of L-carnitine. Can be used for adult children, teenagers.
The selection of the optimal release form should be carried out by a doctor. He is the one who calculates the required dosage.
Application of additives
L-carnitine supplements help prevent deficiency. They improve metabolism and help normalize body weight. Such products are sold in pharmacies, online stores, and sports nutrition stores.
Sports nutrition stores sell supplements designed for adults. They do not undergo sufficient control, have higher dosages, and therefore are not safe for children to take. Pharmacy drugs undergo proper quality control, registration and certificates are constantly updated. But the downside of pharmacy products is the rather high price - due to markups from pharmacy chains and a large number of intermediaries.
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Properties of the drug components
It has an anorectic effect (reduces hunger), helps normalize lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, prevents atherosclerosis, increases vitality, psycho-emotional activity and performance, cleanses, heals and rejuvenates the body. Helps you easily tolerate any low-calorie diet. The herbs included in the compositions have anti-sclerotic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, detoxification, choleretic, diuretic and restorative effects. L-carnitine stimulates fat metabolism, so it is customary to consider it as a “pharmacy” fat burner. In combination with the herbs included in the drug, it promotes active weight loss.
Medical uses of levocarnitine
The drug is used in several areas of medicine:
- pediatrics - to normalize body weight, eliminate the consequences of malnutrition and obesity;
- neurology - to improve nutrition of brain tissue;
- cardiology - for the prevention of myocardial hypotrophy.
Experts widely use products with L-carnitine because they are well tolerated by children and rarely cause side effects. Among the most common, there is increased excitability when using drugs in the afternoon and before bed.
A review of the use of levocarnitine drugs for children by a neurologist is presented in the video:
Indications for use of L-carnitine
According to the instructions, L-carnitine is prescribed to patients with heart disease and elderly patients to improve memory, attention, and slow down brain aging.
There are good reviews about L-carnitine, which is given to premature babies and children during active growth to ensure normal development of skeletal muscles and to bring body weight back to normal.
L-carnitine is effective as an adjuvant in the treatment of the pancreas, cardiovascular and endocrine systems, and liver diseases.
Athletes also take L-carnitine to increase the effectiveness of exercises, increase endurance, and quickly increase muscle mass; vegetarians - to compensate for the lack of carnitine; people with decreased appetite, exhaustion.
Daily consumption rates
The L-carnitine intake rate for children is calculated by specialists individually, depending on age and weight. It is calculated in mg and based on this number the dosage of the drugs is selected. It is not entirely correct to indicate a specific number of drops or tablets based on general data, since substances have different concentrations and bioavailability of the substance.
The average daily levels of levocarnitine are as follows:
- newborns and children up to one year - 10-15 mg;
- children aged 1-3 years - 30-50 mg;
- children aged 4-6 years - 60-90 mg;
- children 7-14 years old - 100-300 mg.
The specified amount should be taken per day, and not at one time. The dosage should be divided into 2-3 doses to obtain the volume of a single dose. Children under 3 years of age are recommended to be given medications 2 times a day, preferably before 3 p.m. This is due to the fact that L-carnitine has a pronounced stimulating effect, and therefore young patients may have difficulty sleeping at night.
Instructions for use of L-carnitine
The syrup is taken orally; L-carnitine intake does not depend on the time of meal.
Adults drink syrup three times a day, 5 ml. Athletes drink 15 ml of L-carnitine before training. Therapy usually lasts 4-6 weeks.
For children under one year of age, syrup is given in a single dose of 8-20 drops; children 1-6 years old. – 20-28 drops, children 6-12 years old. – 2.5 ml. Children take a single dose two to three times a day for a month.
L-carnitine tablets and capsules are swallowed whole, washed down with water. Adults take 250-500 mg of the drug two to three times a day. Athletes take 500-1500 mg before training.
For treatment, it is recommended to take tablets and capsules in courses, no longer than six months.
L-carnitine overdose
There is no information about the occurrence of side effects when dosages are exceeded. Increased excitability in children or the presence of dyspeptic symptoms is possible. With regular use of large doses, excessive accumulation of levocarnitine in the skeletal muscles, liver, and kidneys is possible.
In case of overdose, no toxic effects on the body are observed. But still, doctors recommend adhering to the recommended dosages so as not to have an excessive stimulating effect on the child’s body.
Side effects from taking L-carnitine
The instructions for use of L-carnitine indicate that there are no side effects when taking the substance. In case of individual sensitivity to the active substance, the following symptoms may be present:
- nausea;
- deterioration of health;
- stool disorders;
- hives;
- tachycardia.
In such cases, it is recommended to stop taking the drug. To eliminate the consequences, you can drink enterosorbent and drink plenty of clean water for 1-2 days.
pharmachologic effect
L-carnitine is also called vitamin B11, it has antithyroid, anabolic, regenerating, antihypoxic effects, improves appetite, and triggers fat metabolism.
The use of L-carnitine maintains the activity of coenzyme A, normalizes metabolic processes, increases the enzymatic activity of intestinal and gastric juice, and activates the secretory activity of the digestive glands. The drug accelerates the regeneration of nerve tissue and has a neurotrophic effect.
It is believed that L-carnitine is effective for weight loss: when playing sports, the drug reduces the level of lactic acidosis, fatty elements in the skeletal muscles, and normalizes body weight. In order to start the process of burning fat reserves, in addition to a sufficient amount of L-carnitine, physical activity and a proper diet are important for weight loss.
