Even a hundred year old may benefit from supplements. Italian researchers at the University of Catania gave sixty-six centenarians 2 grams carnitine daily for six months. At the end of the study period, the carnitine supplement treated centenarians, compared with the placebo group, showed significant improvements in total fat mass and total muscle mass. They were also less likely to have physical and mental fatigue. Cholesterol levels fell among the individuals taking the supplement. Carnitine takers also gained on average 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of muscle mass and lost 1.8 kg (4 pounds) of fat mass. People given carnitine were able to walk several meters further during a 6-minute walking test.Comments: This study shows how much we still can learn about the benefits of supplements in the aged. My preference would be to use a lower amount of carnitine, such as 250 mg or 500 mg. Sometimes
when high dosages of energy enhancing pills are taken for prolonged periods, they can accumulate and interfere with sleep or cause rapid heart beat. Another study indicates that carnitine could be helpful in those who have the blood disorder thalassemia.