Randomized Controlled Trial of Combined L-Carnitine Supplementation and Moderate-Intensity Exercises on Cardiovascular Markers and Bone Health Status in Overweight and Obese Individuals

This article aimed to determine effects of 12 weeks of combined L-carnitine supplementation and moderate-intensity exercise on cardiovascular markers and bone health status in overweight and obese individuals. Sixty-eight participants (mean age: 29.03 ± 6.02 years old) were divided into control (C), L-carnitine supplement (S), exercise (E), combined L-carnitine and exercise (SE) groups. Participants in S and SE groups consumed 1 tablet of 1000mg L-carnitine daily. Participants in E and SE groups performed 30 minutes of brisk walking (50% HRmax), and continued with 10 to 20 minutes of Tabata exercise per session, 3 times per week. After 12 weeks of intervention, there were significant reduction in body weight (p< 0.05), body mass index (p< 0.05), fat percentage (p< 0.05), fat mass (p< 0.05), and increases fat free mass (p< 0.01) in S, E and SE groups. Regarding waist to hip ratio, blood glucose and total cholesterol, only E and SE groups showed improvements (p<0.05) and the greatest reduction was observed in SE group. No significant changes in insulin resistance in any groups. Additionally, S, E and SE groups also showed enhancement in both dominant and non-dominant radial and tibial speed of sound (p< 0.05) within and between the groups.