METHOD FOR INCREASING INTESTINAL ABSORPTION OF FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS IN POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN AND LOWER ANIMALS

摘要

Applicants have discovered that L-carnitine increases the intestinal (lymphatic) absorption of fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, and E , in post-menopausal women. As a result, L-carnitine enhances the antioxidant defense mechanism and lowers the risk of certain degenerative diseases, such as coronary heart disease, age-related macular degeneration, osteoporosis, cancer, and Alzheimer's, in post-menopausal women. The present invention provides a method for increasing the intestinal absorption, cellular concentration, biliary secretion, hepatic storage, and/or liver concentratio n of a fat soluble vitamin in a post-menopausal woman. The method comprises orally administering to a post-menopausal woman in need thereof, a fat solub le vitamin and a fat soluble vitamin absorption increasing effective amount of L- carnitine. The invention also provides a method for increasing the intestina l absorption of a fat soluble vitamin in an animal. The method comprises orall y administering to the animal in need thereof, a fat soluble vitamin and a fat soluble vitamin absorption increasing effective amount of L-carnitine.