Myalgic encephalomyelitis

Overview

SupplementDEX currently indexes L-Carnitine for myalgic encephalomyelitis. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for the full rating.

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L-Carnitine	★★★★★	Medium

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Studies

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L-CarnitineView supplement →

Consider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeMediumEvidenceHighTrustVery High

Evidence Review

In a small study of adults with chronic fatigue syndrome, taking L-carnitine (1 gram three times a day for 2 months) was linked to some improvement in symptoms.
Since there was no comparison group, it’s uncertain whether the benefits were due to L-carnitine.

Browse 6 studies

Systematic reviewDietary Supplementation for Fatigue Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-A Systematic Review2025n=809

A systematic review of 14 studies (809 ME/CFS patients) found some supplements including L-carnitine showed significant fatigue reductions, but methodological limitations prevent firm conclusions.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 2.4 g/day
Population: Women
Participants: 809
Ages: 10–19

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RCTAcetyl L-carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue2008

An RCT in 96 elderly patients (avg age ~76) with chronic fatigue found acetyl-L-carnitine significantly reduced physical and mental fatigue and improved functional status and MMSE versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Older adults
Avg age: ~76

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RCTEffects of Citric Acid and L-Carnitine on Physical Fatigue2007n=18

In 18 adults, combined citric acid and L-carnitine for 8 days reduced subjective physical fatigue versus baseline in a randomized trial.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 8 days
Dose: 700 mg/day
Population: Healthy adults
Participants: 18

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RCTL-Carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue and increases cognitive functions in centenarians: a randomized and controlled clinical trial2007n=34

In 34 centenarians, L-carnitine 2 g/day reduced physical and mental fatigue and improved lipid profiles versus baseline over the treatment period.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 2 g/day
Participants: 34

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RCTExploratory open label, randomized study of acetyl- and propionylcarnitine in chronic fatigue syndrome2004

An open RCT in 90 chronic fatigue syndrome patients found acetyl-L-carnitine 2 g/day for 24 weeks improved mental fatigue and propionyl-L-carnitine improved general fatigue; combined treatment was less effective.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 24 weeks
Dose: 2 g/day
Population: Chronic fatigue syndrome patients

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RCTAmantadine and L-carnitine treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome1997

In 30 chronic fatigue syndrome patients, 8 weeks of L-carnitine significantly improved 12 of 18 clinical parameters versus amantadine, which was poorly tolerated; only 15 of 30 completed amantadine treatment.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Population: Adults

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