Is it ok to take L'carnitine, Q10 and St John's Wort?!
Question:
Is it ok to take L'carnitine, Q10 and St John's Wort?
I am desperately trying to get on top of my fatigue and have changed my diet to a healthy nutritious one but read the above may help. I am already taking St Johns wort and unsure whether it is safe to take all? I am also consider Black Cohosh for menopause? Replies from people qualified to answer would be great. Thanks.
Answers:
Carnitine is a good choice because carnitine is essential for fatty acid and amino acid oxidation, mitochondrial ATP generation and overall energy production.
Be careful though. While Carnitine supports fat burning it can also increase glucogenesis- an undesirable effect, that could lead to an increase in blood sugar. To counteract this effect of Carnitine you should probably add about 1 mg of biotin per 500 mg of Carnitine (Biotin seems to inhibit some of the enzymes involved in glucogenesis)
Q 10 is another good choice. This vitamin like substance is an energy co factor central to the generation of ATP in the mitochondria and a lipid phase antioxidant.
Statin drugs are known to reduce Q Co 10.
St. John's Wort doesn't seem to have the quality of research behind it that the above 2 nutrients posses, despite claims to the contrary. I don't know that this would do you much good.
By the way, try to get a good high dose vitamin B complex. These generally assist energy production and coherent nerve functioning.