What is L-Carnitine?

L-Carnitine is not an amino acid in the strict sense (it is not used as a neurotransmitter or in protein synthesis), however it bears many resemblances to amino acids and is usually grouped under this heading. L-Carnitine (the "L" refers to its chemical polarity) is used by the body to transport long chain fatty acids to the mitochondria in your cells, where it is burned for energy. Since this fat burning is such a major source of muscular energy, deficiencies in carnitine are manifested as low energy levels and muscular weakness. They can also appear as mental confusion or cloudiness, angina (heart pain) and weight gain.
Sources of L-Carnitine
Carnitine can be manufactured in the body provided the requisite vitamins and minerals are also present. These vitamins and minerals are B1, B6, C, and iron. The amino acids lysine and methionine are also needed for carnitine synthesis. Carnitine is also present in meats and other animal foods, so if you are a vegetarian or vegan you may want to consider supplementing with carnitine. This would be especially important if you are an athlete, since you are using lots of carnitine during periods of exertion1,2.
More on Carnitine Deficiency
We know already that carnitine deficiency, by denying the mitochondria the needed fatty acids, decreases energy output, but let's look at the other side of this energy equation. If you aren't burning fat, you must be storing it. This obviously leads to a variety of health problems, namely fatty build-ups. Carnitine supplementation can help prevent fatty build-ups in the heart and liver (especially likely if you are a regular consumer of alcoholic beverages). Putting it all together, carnitine emerges as a great supplement: it increases energy, burns fat (making it excellent addition to a weightloss program), and improves heart and liver health all at the same time!
Who Needs L-Carnitine?
Simply: athletes, vegetarians and vegans, and anyone who wants to increase muscle strength and energy, and burn fat more efficiently - either to help lose weight or improve heart and liver health by preventing fatty buildups. Carnitine deficiency may also be implicated in diabetic cardiomyopathy3, and seems to help people who have suffered congestive heart failure4,5,. Carnitine is well known to help in the treatment of angina pectoris6-10, or heart pain (usually induced by physical stress).

Take 500mg, twice a day.


An amino acid that is crucial for the oxidation of fats to generate energy. L-carnitine functions as a carrier for the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria, the "energy furnaces" of the cell. The synthesis of L-carnitine in the body requires 2 essential amino acids (lysine and methionine), B1, B6, and iron. Diets low in lysine, such as a strict vegetarian regimen, may deplete carnitine levels. Carnitine is a "semi-essential" nutrient, in that its synthesis in the body is complex and may be hindered in persons who are nutritionally compromised.
Suggested Use:

As a dietary supplement, one (1) to 4 tablets daily with meals, or as directed.
Acetyl-l-carnitine is a component of the carnitine family formed by the acetylation of the amino acid carnitine. It promotes the function of nerve system cells by sustaining cellular energy metabolism in the mitochondria, and ensuring cellular membrane stability. The result of acetyl-l-carnitine's effects on the nervous system at the cellular level is safe and natural nutritional support of healthy mental functioning.

l-Carnitine is an amino acid found abundantly in skeletal muscle. It functions primarily to regulate fat metabolism, and also acts as a carrier of fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are oxidized and converted to energy. l-Carnitine also facilitates the removal of short and medium chain fatty acids from the mitochondria that accumulate during normal metabolic processes. l-Carnitine has the potential to improve fat metabolism, increase endurance, and enhance the normal functioning of the heart.

Dietary carnitine can be easily obtained in a number of foods. Perhaps the best source is meat, particularly beef, sheep, and lamb. Other animal foods such as milk, cheese, and poultry contain somewhat less carnitine, while fruits and vegetables have negligible amounts (Kanter & Williams, 1995). In light of this, one must recognize that a diet containing sufficient amounts of essential amino acids will provide the necessary building blocks for our bodies to synthesize sufficient quantities of carnitine.



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