L-Carnitine and Increased Serum Albumin Levels

Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of L-carnitine supplementation on serum albumin levels, but effect sizes were mixed (small to large). The most-studied dose was 3 g/day for 7 days in critically ill patients. The evidence comes from two randomized controlled trials and one meta-analysis, all involving clinical populations.

• Effective dose range: 3 g/day
• Studied populations: critically ill patients (sepsis, ICU), patients on maintenance hemodialysis with malnutrition

Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. The short median study duration (7 days) limits insight into long-term effects, and the mixed effect sizes (small, moderate, large) indicate uncertainty about the typical magnitude of benefit. All studies were conducted in clinical populations, so findings may not generalize to healthy individuals.