The Basics On Carnitine

What is Carnitine?

Naturally occurring amino acid.

What are other names for Carnitine?

(R)-(3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXYPROPYL)TRIMETHYLAMMONIUM HYDROXIDE, 1-PROPANAMINIUM, 3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXY-N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-, HYDROXIDE, IN NER SALT, 3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXY-N,N,N-TRIMETHYL- HYDROXIDE IN NER SALT 1-PROPANAMINIUM, 3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXY-N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-1-PROPANAMINIUM HYDROXIDE, INNER SALT, AMMONIUM, (3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXYPROPYL)TRIMETHYL-, HYDROXIDE, INNER SALT, L-, CARNITINE, HYDROXIDE IN NER SALT 1-PROPANAMINIUM, 3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXY-N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-, HYDROXIDE INNER SALT L- AMMONIUM, (3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXYPROPYL)TRIMETHYL-, IN NER SALT 1-PROPANAMINIUM, 3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXY-N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-, HYDROXIDE, INNER SALT 3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXY-N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-1-PROPANAMINIUM HYDROXIDE, INNER SALT L- AMMONIUM, (3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXYPROPYL)TRIMETHYL-, HYDROXIDE, L- AMMONIUM, (3-CARBOXY-2-HYDROXYPROPYL)TRIMETHYL-, HYDROXIDE, INNER SALT, and LEVOCARNITINE

What is Carnitine used for?

Carnitine, also known as L-Carnitine, is an amino acid-derived building block for proteins that assists with the breakdown of fats and lipids. … When topically applied, L-carnitine can help improve the lipid content on the skin and reduce unwanted sheen, leaving skin to look and feel more beautiful.

How Carnitine is classified

Antioxidants

Recommendations for using Carnitine during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Carnitine During Pregnancy

What we know about using Carnitine while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

Straight and Branched Chain Alkyl Trimonium Ingredients In a range-finding study of laurtrimonium chloride (20, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg/d), pregnant New Zealand White rabbits (n = 3) were orally administered the test substance from day 6 through 18 of pregnancy.70 At 25 and 50 mg/kg, I in 3 rabbits died; at 100 mg/kg, 2 rabbits died; and at 400 mg/kg, all 3 rabbits died. There were embryonic effects (not defined) observed at 50 mg/kg. In the main study, laurtrimonium chloride (2, 8, 24 mg/kg) was orally administered to pregnant New Zealand White rabbits (n = 13-14) from day 6 to 18 ofpregnancy. The dams were killed on day 19 and necropsied. There were no adverse effects reported for the dams and no developmental or teratogenic effects observed. The original safety assessment reported that cetrimonium bromide (25 mg/kg/d) administered on days 5 to 14 of gestation was not teratogenic in an oral study using rats. I Mild embryonic effects were observed at 50 mg/kg/d, but these were attributed to matemal toxicity rather than a teratogenic effect. There were no embryotoxic or teratogenic effects at lower doses. In an intraperitoneal study, cetrimonium bromide interfered with the embryonic development of mice at 10 mg/kg on day 8, 10, 12, or 14 of gestation and was lethal to developing embryos at 35.0 mg/kg. Teratogenic effects were observed in both treatment groups. There was no evidence of teratogenicity by 2.0% cetrimonium chloride administered days 7 to 18 of gestation in a dermal study using rabbits. The only adverse effect observed was dermal irritation at the application sites. When tested in a dermal teratogenicity study, 2.5% steartrimonium chloride administered on days 6 to 15 of gestation was not matemally toxic, embryotoxic, or teratogenic. Alkanol Trimonium Ingredients 3 1 Male rats were administered choline chloride (80 mg/kg/d) ip for 12 or 24 days.93 Another group was administered choline chloride (10 to 12 mg/kg/d) in feed. The rats were necropsied at 2, 5, 8, and 12 days after the treatment period. There were no effects on body weight gain or weights of testes, epididymides, liver, kidney, and adrenals. After 12 days of treatment (one cycle ofthe seminiferous epithelium), epithelial vacuoles, spermatogonia with pyknotic nuclei and cellular debris were observed 2 days after the tennination of treatment. Five days after tennination of treatment, the seminiferous tubules were normal. After 24 days of treatment, a few tubules of stages I to IV were observed on day 2 aner treatment termination. Most spermatocytes were normal with some necrotic pachytene stages with an essential restoration to normal after 12 days. Male rats (n = 25; strain not provided) were administered choline (25 mg/kg/d) ip for 12 or 24 days.93 At 12 days, spenna• togenesis was not changed. At 24 days, pachytene Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity Straight and Branched Chain Alkyl Trimonium Ingredients In a range-finding study of laurtrimonium chloride (20, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg/d), pregnant New Zealand White rabbits (n = 3) were orally administered the test substance from day 6 through 18 of pregnancy.70 At 25 and 50 mg/kg, I in 3 rabbits died; at 100 mg/kg, 2 rabbits died; and at 400 mg/kg, all 3 rabbits died. There were embryonic effects (not defined) observed at 50 mg/kg. In the main study, laurtrimonium chloride (2, 8, 24 mg/kg) was orally administered to pregnant New Zealand White rabbits (n = 13-14) from day 6 to 18 ofpregnancy. The dams were killed on day 19 and necropsied. There were no adverse effects reported for the dams and no developmental or teratogenic effects observed. The original safety assessment reported that cetrimonium bromide (25 mg/kg/d) administered on days 5 to 14 of gestation was not teratogenic in an oral study using rats. I Mild embryonic effects were observed at 50 mg/kg/d, but these were attributed to matemal toxicity rather than a teratogenic effect. There were no embryotoxic or teratogenic effects at lower doses. In an intraperitoneal study, cetrimonium bromide interfered with the embryonic development of mice at 10 mg/kg on day 8, 10, 12, or 14 of gestation and was lethal to developing embryos at 35.0 mg/kg. Teratogenic effects were observed in both treatment groups. There was no evidence of teratogenicity by 2.0% cetrimonium chloride administered days 7 to 18 of gestation in a dermal study using rabbits. The only adverse effect observed was dermal irritation at the application sites. When tested in a dermal teratogenicity study, 2.5% steartrimonium chloride administered on days 6 to 15 of gestation was not matemally toxic, embryotoxic, or teratogenic. Alkanol Trimonium Ingredients 3 1 Male rats were administered choline chloride (80 mg/kg/d) ip for 12 or 24 days.93 Another group was administered choline chloride (10 to 12 mg/kg/d) in feed. The rats were necropsied at 2, 5, 8, and 12 days after the treatment period. There were no effects on body weight gain or weights of testes, epididymides, liver, kidney, and adrenals. After 12 days of treatment (one cycle ofthe seminiferous epithelium), epithelial vacuoles, spermatogonia with pyknotic nuclei and cellular debris were observed 2 days after the tennination of treatment. Five days after tennination of treatment, the seminiferous tubules were normal. After 24 days of treatment, a few tubules of stages I to IV were observed on day 2 aner treatment termination. Most spermatocytes were normal with some necrotic pachytene stages with an essential restoration to normal after 12 days. Male rats (n = 25; strain not provided) were administered choline (25 mg/kg/d) ip for 12 or 24 days.93 At 12 days, spenna• togenesis was not changed. At 24 days, pachytene spennatocytes were decreased until day 5 posttreatment. Slight proliferation of spennatogonia was observed from day 5 posttreatnent onward. By day 12 posttreatment, tubules showed almost normal cellular associations. The authors suggest that prolonged administration of excess choline may be toxic to male reproduction. Pregnant mice (n = 7 — 16) were administered choline chloride (1250 to 20,000 mg/kg/d) in feed on gestations days 1 to 18.20 There were no untreated controls. All groups except the lowest dose group had reduced matemal body weight gain. All fetuses were resorbed in the highest dose group but no resorptions were observed in the lowest dose group. At 4160 and 10 800 mg/kg/d, there was 35% and 69% embryonic/fetal lethality. Developmental toxicity was observed in all but the lowest dose group. There were no increases in malformations observed. An NOAEL was not determined for teratogenicity due to the lack of pups.

General safety info about Carnitine from CIR

Quaternary ammonium salts, including alkyl chain, alkanot, and polymer derivatives (trimoniums) are used in cosmetics mainly as surfactant-cleansing agents, hair-conditioning agents, and antistatic agents. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Pane! reviewed the relevant animat and human data and noted gaps in the available safety data for some of the trimomiums. The available data on many of the trimoniums are sufficient, however, and similar structural activity relationships, functions in cosmetics, and cosmetic product usage supported extending these data to the entire group. These ingredients were determined to be safe in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be nonirritating. Keywords trimoniums

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Carnitine

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum; Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Acne Eliminating Pads; Perricone MD Health & Weight Management Dietary Supplements

 

 

 

List of References

General sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/

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Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.

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