Diabetes risk lowered by Carnitine

According to researchers at Duke University Medical Center, supplements of the nutrient carnitine could improve glucose tolerance, which could lower diabetes risk . The researchers tested their theory by supplementing obese rats. The team also tested human muscle cells, and found that carnitine could help people of older age with diabetes and pre-diabetes .
Carnitine is made within the body by the liver, but dietary carnitine may help to supplement this. Carnitine is found in red meat and other animal foods, and may help to improve glucose tolerance . The finding could open treatment pathways for people with type 2 diabetes .
The next stage, the research team says, is to start a small-scale clinical trial of carnitine supplementation amongst patients that fit the profile.