Carnitine is derived from an amino acid that is found almost in all body cells. It got its name from the Latin word carnus or flesh since it was separated from the meat. Carnitine is the general term for various elements containing L-carnitine, Acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine,

• L-carnitine is a dietary and nutrient supplement.
• It plays an essential role in energy production by transporting fatty acids into your body cells’ mitochondria which act as engines in cells and burn these fats to make usable energy.
• Your body can produce L-carnitine out of the amino acids methionine and lysine.
• For your body to produce it in enough amounts, you also require plenty of vitamin C.
• In addition to the L-carnitine produced in your body, you can also obtain little amounts by eating animal products such as meat or fish.
• People or vegans with certain genetic problems can be unable to produce or obtain sufficient. This makes L-carnitine a conditionally important nutrient.

Different Types

D-carnitine

This inactive form can cause a carnitine deficiency in your body by inhibiting the absorption of other, more useful forms.

Acetyl-L-carnitine

Frequently is known as ALCAR, this’s likely the most effective form for your brain. Studies suggest that it can help people with neurodegenerative diseases.

Propionyl-L-carnitine

This form is well-suited for circulatory problems like peripheral vascular disease and high blood pressure. It can boost the production of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow.

L-carnitine L-tartrate

This’s usually added to sports supplements due to its rapid absorption rate. It can help muscle soreness and recovery in exercise. For most people, L-carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine look to be the most effective for general use. However, you will always pick the form that is perfect for your requirements and aims.

How Does It Work?

L-carnitine assists the body to produce energy. It’s essential for brain and heart function, muscle movement, and various other body processes.

Benefits

Heart Health

Some studies demonstrate the potential for reducing blood pressure and the inflammatory procedure associated with heart disease. L-carnitine is also related to improvements in patients with severe heart disorders like coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure. One twelve-month study observed a reduction in heart failure and deaths among participants who took L-carnitine supplements.

Exercise Performance

The evidence is mixed when it comes to the effects of L-carnitines on sports performance. However, numerous studies note mild advantages associated with large or more long-term doses. Benefits L-carnitine’s can be indirect and take weeks or months to appear. This differs from supplements such as caffeine, which can directly enhance sports performance.

Recovery

It can improve exercise recovery.

Muscle Oxygen Supply

The oxygen supply can be increased to your muscles with it.

Stamina

It can increase nitric oxide production and blood flow, aiding delay discomfort and reduce fatigue.

Muscle Soreness 

It can reduce muscle soreness after exercise.

Red Blood Cell Production

Can increase the production of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout your muscle and body.

Side Effects

When Taken by Mouth

L-carnitine is possibly safe when taken for up to twelve months. It can cause side effects like seizures, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, and heartburn. It can also cause the sweat, urine, and breath to have a fishy odor. Avoid using DL-carnitine and D-carnitine. These forms of carnitine can block the effects of L-carnitine and cause symptoms that resemble L-carnitine deficiency.

Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding

There’s not sufficient reliable info to know if L-carnitine is safe to use when pregnant. So you need to avoid its use. Taking L-carnitine is likely safe in breastfeeding women when taken by mouth in the amounts recommended by a healthcare provider. L-carnitine in small amount is given to children in breast milk with no reported side effects. The effects of big amounts taken by a breast-feeding mother are unknown.

Kidney Failure

Using DL-carnitine is reported to cause symptoms like muscle weakness and eye drooping when administered intravenously (by IV) after dialysis. L-carnitine doesn’t look have this effect.