• Recently published research shows that Carniking® premix improves lean muscle mass and supports efficient energy expenditure in active dogs
• The study builds on previous research that demonstrated significant positive benefits of L-carnitine on canine exercise recovery and body composition
• The research is the first to show how L-carnitine influences protein turnover in dogs

Quote from Dr. Craig N. Coon, President and Founder, Four Rivers Kennel: “Our research partnership with Lonza continues to build a robust bank of scientific evidence on the impact of L-carnitine on canine exercise performance and recovery. One of the key findings of this latest study is L-carnitine’s influence on body composition. The ability of L-carnitine to help the body use expendable tissue, namely fat, for energy while preserving lean muscle mass has exciting implications for energy expenditure, weight management and endurance. While the study clearly demonstrated the benefits of L-carnitine for both male and female active dogs, it generated exceptional results in females – an area that has thus far been largely unexplored.”

Quote from Kevin Owen, Ph.D., Global Business Development Head for Animal Nutrition, Lonza: “This study is the first time we have seen Carniking® premix’s influence on protein turnover evaluated and the difference in oxygen consumption and energy expenditure between male and female subjects studied. The results of the research are particularly significant when we consider the benefits of Carniking® premix  supplementation for highly active dogs – where maximizing energy expenditure and maintaining lean muscle mass is essential to animal performance and health.”

Morristown, NJ (USA), April 28^th, 2021 – A new scientific study funded by Lonza has shown that daily supplementation with its 250mg Carniking® premix ingredient may increase muscle fat oxidation, inhibit muscle catabolism and increase energy expenditure in highly active dogs.    

As a result of high exercise requirements, working or highly active dogs can be at risk of muscle wasting due to entering a negative energy balance. This has implications on the animal’s performance, endurance and recovery, and therefore overall health and wellbeing. The latest research by Lonza demonstrates that daily Carniking® premix supplementation can address this by enabling better utilization of dietary fat for energy production, which in turn may allow active dogs to exercise for longer periods of time while recovering more efficiently. 

Published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, the study was conducted at Four Rivers Kennel in Nevada, Missouri (USA), using Labrador Retrievers – a typical working and service dog. Building on evidence from Lonza and Four Rivers Kennel’s previous research, in this new cross-over placebo-controlled study, dogs were given a series of exercise and running programs, with one group having daily supplementation of 250mg Carniking® premix, providing 125 mg elemental carnitine. 

The results showed that Carniking® premix helped to maintain lean muscle mass and reduce muscle damage after exercise by increasing the total, free and esterified L-carnitine in the muscle and serum. The latest research also showed that muscle damage or degradation following running exercise was significantly reduced in dogs supplemented with L-carnitine when compared with placebo. 

Furthermore, Carniking® premix was shown to influence the lean muscle mass by determining protein turnover, a key indicator of muscle synthesis. Dogs supplemented with Carniking® premix were also shown to be more efficient at using energy from their food (as measured by VO₂ max for aerobic endurance). As a result, they are able to exercise for longer and recover faster. 

Lonza holds U.S. Patent 10,016,382 for L-carnitine use in pet food for its beneficial impact on performance and recovery in active dogs. L-carnitine also has an ingredient definition by the Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) for use in the manufacturing of dog foods, wet and dry treats, and in complete feeds, base mixes or premixes.