Evidence supporting the use of: L-carnitine
For the body system: Testes

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

L-carnitine is supported by scientific evidence for its role in supporting testicular function, particularly in the context of male fertility. L-carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that plays a key role in mitochondrial energy metabolism, especially in tissues with high energy demands like the testes. Clinical studies have demonstrated that supplementation with L-carnitine can improve several parameters of male reproductive health, including sperm motility, sperm count, and overall semen quality. For instance, randomized controlled trials have shown that infertile men given L-carnitine (often at doses of 2-3 grams per day) for several months experienced significant improvements in sperm motility and morphology compared to placebo groups (Lenzi et al., 2004). The proposed mechanisms include enhanced energy supply to sperm cells, antioxidant effects, and stabilization of sperm membrane integrity. While not all studies have found benefit, and L-carnitine is not considered a panacea for all forms of male infertility, the weight of evidence supports its use for certain cases of idiopathic male infertility with compromised sperm quality. It is not traditionally used for this purpose, but rather, its use is based on modern clinical research.

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