Adipate, together with Suberate and Ethylmalonate are all functional markers for deficiency of carnitine.
Carnitine is needed to move fatty acids into the mitochondria where they are converted to energy using vitamin B2.
If carnitine is sufficient long-chain fatty acids go through beta-oxidation in the mitochondria.
When insufficient levels of carnitine or vitamin B2 slow down this process, other parts of the cellular machinery take over and make adipate and suberate.
A similar block in another pathway causes high ethylmalonate. Since most of our bodies’ energy is produced from the burning of fatty acids, our muscles and brain suffer when this cellular energy pathway is blocked. Anything that interferes with the normal fatty acid oxidation may reveal high levels of these metabolites.
Adipate
Every lab result you’ve ever had, charted and explained.
Healthmatters is a tracker for your lab results. Upload a report from any lab, any country — every marker charted and explained.
Start with my report →
All our content is backed by peer-reviewed studies, academic research, and trusted medical sources. We’re committed to accuracy and transparency — see our editorial policy for details.