So what does this mean? In this study design, both testosterone and carnitine were effective in improving the symptoms reported by some aging males
. Carnitine performed better than testosterone in their action on early symptoms of impotence, but otherwise their results were similar. Testosterone was linked to some degree of prostate enlargement, but carnitine was not. Does this mean aging men should consider carnitine rather than testosterone for their problems? There are reasons for caution. First, the mechanism of action of carnitine is not clear. The authors of the report state that the reason other antioxidants (such as vitamin E, tocopherol, or glutathione) don't work in aging men - while carnitine does - is because they have a different point of attack in the biochemical processes. The rationale for using testosterone, on the other hand, is clear.