Carnitine is a naturally
occurring hydrophilic amino acid derivative, produced endogenously
in the kidneys and liver and derived from meat and dairy products
in the diet. It plays an essential role in the transfer of
long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for beta-oxidation.
Carnitine binds acyl residues and helps in their elimination,
decreasing the number of acyl residues conjugated with coenzyme
A (CoA) and increasing the ratio between free and acylated
CoA.1