carnitine

[ kahr-ni-teen ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a dipolar compound that occurs in muscle and liver and is involved in the transport of fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

carnitine

/ kär′nĭ-tēn′ /

1. A betaine commonly occurring in the liver and in skeletal muscle that is essential for fatty acid transport across mitochondrial membranes. Chemical formula: C 7 H 15 NO 3 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnitine¹

1920–25; < German Carnitin, equivalent to Latin carni- (combining form of carō, genitive carnis meat, flesh) + -tin apparently arbitrarily chosen suffix ( -in ², -ine ² ); so called because it was first isolated in meat extract

Example Sentences

For example, they found that generalists are more likely to be able to synthesize carnitine, a molecule that is involved in energy production and often sold as an exercise supplement.

From Science Daily

By pairing caffeine with other buzzy active ingredients like ginseng, carnitine, creatine and ginkgo biloba, they position these drinks as enhancers of mental alertness and concentration, too.

From Salon

And indeed, he had one: He was born without the ability to make an enzyme called carnitine palmitoyltransferase type 2.

From New York Times

Carnitine, chromium, anabolic steroids: Athletes have experimented with a broad array of aids in pursuit of performance edge.

From Washington Post

“I can only see a downside to inhibiting carnitine in a healthy athlete,” Hiatt said.

From New York Times