effect of L-carnitine and weight loss diet on Anthropometry indices in women with knee osteoarthritis

obesity and diet are the most important risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis. L-carnitine is an anti-oxidant agent and increase energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on the anthropometry measures in obese women with knee osteoarthritis.

This study was a randomized clinical trial in which 43 obese women with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned into two weight loss diet groups; the first one received the 1000 mg L-carnitine and with the second group took the placebo. Anthropometry indices such as height, weight, Body mass index (BMI), hip and waist circumference were assessed at the baseline and after 12 weeks from the start of intervention. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS (version16).

Compared with the baseline, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference decreased significantly in both groups after 12 weeks of intervention. However, no significant differences were observed between L-carnitine group and placebo group (P>0.05). But mean of changes waist circumference were significant between two groups (P=0.006)

According to the findings, oral administration of 1000 mg L-carnitine could decrease waist circumference but no significant effect observed on other anthropometry indices.