The Effects of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Glycemic Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Publisher



Fathizadeh H¹ ; Milajerdi A^{2, 3} ; Reiner Z⁴ ; Kolahdooz F⁵ ; Asemi Z⁶
Source: EXCLI Journal Published:2019

Abstract

The findings of trials investigating the effect of L-carnitine administration on glycemic control are controversial. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to explore the effects of L-carnitine intake on glycemic control. Two authors independently searched electronic databases including MEDLINE, EM-BASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed and Google scholar from 1990 until February 2019, in order to find relevant RCTs. 37 studies with 44 effect sizes met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for the meta-analysis. L-carnitine supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (WMD:-4.57; 95 % CI:-6.88,-2.25), insulin (WMD:-1.21; 95 % CI:-1.85,-0.57), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD:-0.67; 95 % CI:-0.90,-0.44) and HbA1C concentrations (WMD:-0.30; 95 % CI:-0.47,-0.13). L-Carnitine supplementation significantly reduced FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c levels. © 2019, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors. All rights reserved.