Effects of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Lipid Profiles in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with dyslipidemia, increasing cardiovascular risk. L-carnitine, involved in fatty acid metabolism, has shown potential in improving lipid profiles, but evi-dence from rigorous trials is limited. This study evaluated the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid parameters in adults with T2DM. A 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial was conducted with 120 participants (aged 30–70 years) with T2DM. Participants were assigned to either 2 g/day L-carnitine or placebo. Lipid profiles (total cholesterol [TC], LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides [TG]), glycemic control, and anthropometric measures were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. Statis-tical analyses included repeated-measures ANCOVA, adjusted for baseline covariates. The L-carnitine group exhibited significant reductions in TC (-8.1 ± 15.2 mg/dL, *p* = 0.031), LDL-C (-5.8 ± 10.4 mg/dL, *p* = 0.045), and TG (-21.4 ± 26.0 mg/dL, *p* = 0.018) compared to placebo. HDL-C changes were non-significant (+1.0 ± 2.5 mg/dL vs. -0.1 ± 2.3 mg/dL, *p* = 0.14). Glycemic control and anthropometric measures did not differ between groups. Adherence exceeded 95%, with no serious adverse events. L-carnitine supplementation significantly improved TC, LDL-C, and TG levels in T2DM patients, supporting its role as an adjunct therapy for diabetic dyslipidemia.