ASD, mitrochondrial dysfunction and carnitine

[nonemus]

I have been researching mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) for chronic fatigue. I have come across many references to autism and MD. Improving MD generally means dietary changes and there is a small scale study showing improvement with l-carnitine after 3 months of supplements. L-carnitine is present in meat, especially beef.

Study details are as follows:

"A prospective double-blind, randomized clinical trial of levocarnitine to treat autism spectrum disorders," Geier DA, Kern JK, et al, Med Sci Monit, 2011 June; 17(6): PI15-23. (Address: The Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A. and CoMeD, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA).

In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 30 subjects diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), daily supplementation with L-carnitine (50 mg/kg body weight) for a period of 3 months was found to be associated with significant improvements in clinical measures of ASD severity, including scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS, -2.03), modified clinical global impression (CGI, -0.69), and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). In addition, serum free carnitine levels were significantly associated with positive clinical changes in terms of hand muscle strength, cognitive scores, and CARS scores. The authors conclude, "subsequent studies are recommended."

sorry, should have said there are vegetarian sources also, avocado being a good one. However levels in vegetables are very much lower than in meat.