Effect of L-carnitine Supplementation with or Without Moderate Aerobic Training on Serum Lipid Profile and Body Fat Percentage in Obese Women

Obesity، a serious risk factor for chronic diseases، especially among women، is an important worldwide public health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine supplementation with or without moderate aerobic training on serum lipid profiles and body fat percentage in obese women. In this clinical trial، 44 obese women were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=11 each) as follows: 1: L-carnitine supplementation (2 g/day)، 2: aerobic training+placebo group، 3: L-carnitine supplementation + aerobic training and 4: placebo. All interventions had an 8 week period and subjects of aerobic training groups underwent 8-week aerobic training protocol (3 sessions a week [24 sessions]). Body mass index، body fat percentage، daily dietary intake and serum fasting free L-carnitine، total cholesterol، triglycerides، LDL and HDL cholesterol levels of each subjects were measured before and after interventions. Analysis of covariance was used for comparing of variables means between groups. Body fat percentage decreased significantly in the aerobic training+placebo and in L-carnitine supplementation+aerobic training groups. In the L-carnitine supplementation group، aerobic training+pl­acebo and the L-carnitine supplementation+aerobic training groups، significant reductions were observed in serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. LDL-C levels decreased significantly in the L-carnitine+aerobic training group. Results indicated beneficial effects of L-carnitine supplementation alone or combined with aerobic training on serum lipid profiles and effects of aerobic training in lowering of body fat percentage in obese women. L-carnitine supplementation and aerobic training may be effective in delaying onset of chronic diseases in obese subjects.