L-Carnitine alleviates leg crampsNocturnal Leg Cramping Caused by Carnitine Deficiency Due to Long-Term Pivalate Antibiotics Administration in a Patient With Chronic Kidney Disease.
We observed the impact of L-carnitine on leg cramps in a 69-year-old Japanese woman who experienced painful nocturnal leg cramps. This occurred after she had been on cefcapene-pivoxil, a pivalate-containing antibiotic, for six months.
Investigations revealed decreased levels of serum-free carnitine and acylcarnitine in her body, leading to a diagnosis of carnitine deficiency. We learned that this deficiency was likely caused by her long-term use of the antibiotic, which can interfere with carnitine absorption.
After starting oral L-carnitine treatment, we noted marked improvement in her symptoms, suggesting that L-carnitine could play a beneficial role in alleviating leg cramps associated with carnitine deficiency. This case serves as a reminder to consider carnitine levels in patients experiencing leg cramps, particularly those on pivalate-containing antibiotics.
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l-carnitine helps stroke-related crampsEffect of l-carnitine supplementation on muscle cramps induced by stroke: A case report.
We observed the effects of l-carnitine supplementation on leg cramps in a 79-year-old man who experienced paralysis following a stroke. Initially diagnosed with cerebral infarction, he suffered from nocturnal leg cramps on the affected side, which disrupted his sleep.
Through l-carnitine supplementation, we noted a reduction in the frequency of these cramps and an improvement in his sleep disturbances. L-carnitine is known for its role in transporting acyl groups in our cells and may play a key part in preventing nerve damage while addressing carnitine deficiency.
Interestingly, after a stroke, patients can experience muscle wasting that may lower the levels of carnitine in the affected side, possibly leading to leg cramps. This case suggests that l-carnitine could be a valuable option for managing muscle cramps linked to strokes. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of l-carnitine being used specifically for this purpose.
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L-carnitine reduces leg crampsCan L-carnitine supplementation and exercise improve muscle complications in patients with liver cirrhosis who receive branched-chain amino acid supplementation?
We investigated the effect of L-carnitine and exercise on reducing leg cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis who were already taking branched-chain amino acids. In this study, 18 patients participated, taking L-carnitine alongside their regular exercise routine over six months. They also recorded their daily steps and muscle function as part of the evaluation process.
Throughout the study, we observed a notable reduction in the frequency of muscle cramps reported by the participants. Initially, the average complaints were around 6.3, but by the end of the six-month period, this decreased to just 2.1. This suggests that L-carnitine could play a significant role in easing muscle cramping for these patients.
However, it is essential to note that while the reduction in cramping was significant, we did not see major changes in muscle strength or volume over the study period. The participants maintained their previous levels of muscle function despite the increase in steps and L-carnitine intake. Overall, while L-carnitine showed promise in reducing leg cramps, its effects on muscle strength remained limited.
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