In early April 2013, an article was published in Nature Medicine suggesting that higher carnitine intakes may lead to increased risk of atherosclerosis. A report in the Washington Post about this article raised concerns from families who give carnitine to their child with an IEM. The article, “Intestinal microbiota metabolism of L-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis” reports results from mouse studies and an epidemiological study finding a higher incidence of atherosclerosis in adults with higher blood levels of carnitine and its breakdown products produced by gut bacteria. To clarify the role of carnitine in treatment of IEM, GMDI issued a joint statement with the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (SIMD) in the U.S., the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (SSIEM) in Europe and two organizations focusing on mitochondrial disorders. The statement emphasizes that different population groups have different medical needs. For some IEM, carnitine can be life-saving. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of supplementing with carnitine with all of our patients. To learn more, read the
Nature Medicine article and the
joint statement.