L-CARNITINE DEFICIENCY

Deficiency of L carnitine

Carnitine is comprised of two amino acids, lysine and methionine. Its role is to transport long-chain fatty acids across the cell's inner mitochrondial membrane. Mitochrondia use fatty acids and glucose to produce energy. Secondary carnitine deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder usually diagnosed at birth. However, primary carnitine deficiency, which is due to decreased synthesis of carnitine in the body or altered transport of carnitine across the cellular membrane, can occur in people of all ages. Carnitine levels decrease with age.