L-carnitine is an amino acid derivitive of the essential amino acids L-lysine and methonine. The conversion to carnitine requires niacin (B3), vitamins B6 and C, and iron. It is found in nearly all cells of the body but chiefly in the liver and kidney. Carnitine is essential for the transportation of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membranes in the mitochondria, where they are metabolized by beta-oxidation to produce biological energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). L-Carnitine also is required to remove short- and medium-chain fatty acids from the mitochondria. This removal optimizes energy production by maintaining coenzyme A at optimal levels for normal metabolism and energy production.

Carnitine esters are special molecules in our bodies that help turn fat into energy. Think of them as tiny taxis that pick up fat from our bloodstream and take it into the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. Inside the mitochondria, this fat is burned for fuel, giving us the energy we need to function. These esters are made when carnitine, a substance our bodies produce and also get from food, links up with fatty acids.

This process is super important, especially in parts of our body like the heart and muscles, which use a lot of energy and therefore burn a lot of fat. If our body doesn't handle these carnitine esters correctly, it can mess up how we use fat for energy. This can lead to different health issues, such as muscle weakness or problems with our metabolism (the chemical reactions that keep us alive and kicking).

Doctors can check the levels of these esters in our blood to see if everything is working right with our body's energy production. Sometimes, when there's a problem with this system, doctors recommend taking extra carnitine as a supplement. But, the benefits of taking these supplements are still being studied, and it's not yet clear how much they help with various health conditions.

Carnitine esters are a group of compounds formed when carnitine binds to fatty acids. These esters play a critical role in the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are used for energy production. This process is essential for cellular metabolism, particularly in tissues with high energy demands, such as muscles and the heart.

In a Carnitine and Acylcarnitine panel, the measurement of carnitine esters (expressed in µmol/L) provides valuable insight into the body's ability to metabolize fatty acids and produce energy efficiently. Elevated or decreased levels of carnitine esters can indicate underlying metabolic or mitochondrial disorders, and abnormalities may suggest issues with fatty acid metabolism, such as primary carnitine deficiency or other metabolic conditions.

Serum carnitine analysis is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with carnitine deficiency (either primary or secondary). Primary carnitine deficiency is an autosomal recessively inherited genetic condition that affects carnitine uptake by cells and tissues through a defect in the plasma membrane carnitine transporter. Secondary carnitine deficiency can be seen in some disease states or in patients on carnitine-poor diets, but is also seen in a number of metabolic disorders. In these disorders, carnitine complexes with the accumulated substrate of the blocked metabolic step, and the resulting acylcarnitine ester is excreted in the urine, leading to a depletion of carnitine in the patient.

Serum carnitine analysis is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with carnitine deficiency (either primary or secondary). Primary carnitine deficiency is an autosomal recessively inherited genetic condition that affects carnitine uptake by cells and tissues through a defect in the plasma membrane carnitine transporter. Secondary carnitine deficiency can be seen in some disease states or in patients on carnitine-poor diets, but is also seen in a number of metabolic disorders. In these disorders, carnitine complexes with the accumulated substrate of the blocked metabolic step, and the resulting acylcarnitine ester is excreted in the urine, leading to a depletion of carnitine in the patient.

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a urinary biomarker which comes from the consumption of beef, pork, and to a lesser extent, poultry.

It is a dipeptide consisting of the amino acids histidine and beta-alanine and is concentrated in skeletal and heart muscle, brain, and kidneys. Carnosine has antioxidant properties, antiglycation effects, enhanced calcium sensitivity, and pH buffering activity during highintensity exercise.

It also has neuroprotective properties and may play an important role in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Carnosine is also protective against secondary diabetic renal complications.

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a urinary biomarker which comes from the consumption of beef, pork, and to a lesser extent, poultry.

It is a dipeptide consisting of the amino acids histidine and beta-alanine and is concentrated in skeletal and heart muscle, brain, and kidneys. Carnosine has antioxidant properties, antiglycation effects, enhanced calcium sensitivity, and pH buffering activity during highintensity exercise.

It also has neuroprotective properties and may play an important role in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Carnosine is also protective against secondary diabetic renal complications.

Carnosine is a dietary peptide related marker that consists of histidine and beta-alanine. Carnosine is an incompletely digested peptide that is derived primarily from beef and pork.

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a urinary biomarker which comes from the consumption of beef, pork, and to a lesser extent, poultry.

It is a dipeptide consisting of the amino acids histidine and beta-alanine and is concentrated in skeletal and heart muscle, brain, and kidneys. Carnosine has antioxidant properties, antiglycation effects, enhanced calcium sensitivity, and pH buffering activity during highintensity exercise.

It also has neuroprotective properties and may play an important role in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Carnosine is also protective against secondary diabetic renal complications.

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a urinary biomarker which comes from the consumption of beef, pork, and to a lesser extent, poultry.

It is a dipeptide consisting of the amino acids histidine and beta-alanine and is concentrated in skeletal and heart muscle, brain, and kidneys. Carnosine has antioxidant properties, antiglycation effects, enhanced calcium sensitivity, and pH buffering activity during highintensity exercise.

It also has neuroprotective properties and may play an important role in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Carnosine is also protective against secondary diabetic renal complications.

Carnosine is a dietary peptide related marker that consists of histidine and beta-alanine. Carnosine is an incompletely digested peptide that is derived primarily from beef and pork.

Carnosine is a dipeptide molecule composed of the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine, and it is found primarily in muscle and brain tissues. When measured in urine, carnosine levels can provide valuable insights into an individual's muscle metabolism and overall health.

Elevated levels of carnosine in the urine may indicate increased muscle breakdown or high dietary intake of carnosine-rich foods, such as meat and fish. Conversely, low levels could suggest issues with muscle synthesis or insufficient dietary intake. Carnosine is known for its antioxidant properties and its role in buffering lactic acid in muscles during intense physical activity, which helps reduce muscle fatigue and improve performance. By analyzing the carnosine levels in urine, healthcare providers can gain insights into a person's nutritional status, muscle health, and potential metabolic issues, allowing for more personalized and effective health and nutrition interventions.

The Carotene marker in a blood panel is a significant indicator of dietary intake and absorption of carotenoids, primarily beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A. Beta-carotene, found abundantly in fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, is renowned for its antioxidant properties and its role in maintaining healthy vision, skin, and immune function.

Beta-carotene is a crucial biomarker for assessing vitamin A status, reflecting both dietary intake and overall health. It plays a significant role in antioxidant defense, vision, and immune function, and its measurement can help diagnose and manage various nutritional and health-related conditions.