5 Health Benefits of L-Carnitine

5 Health Benefits of L-Carnitine

L-Carnitine is a nutrient and dietary supplement that can help produce energy and reduce certain disorders. Our body cannot produce L-Carnitine on its own. We have to take it through dietary sources or supplements for improving heart and brain function and ensuring muscle movement and various bodily processes. L-carnitine is best known among fitness enthusiasts as a fat-burner, but it does more than only burn fat. Read further to know how L-carnitine supplementation can improve your health.

What is L-Carnitine?

L-carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative produced in most cells of the human body, particularly in muscle tissue. It plays an important role in energy production by transporting long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are oxidised to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Carnitine can be synthesised in the liver and kidneys from the amino acids lysine and methionine (essential amino acids our body cannot make) and can be directly obtained from dietary sources, such as meat, fish, and dairy products. It is also available as supplements used by athletes, including bodybuilders, to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance. However, the benefits of carnitine supplementation to enhance performance is debatable and further research is needed.

A large amount of Carnitine- 95% of the body's total is stored within the heart and skeletal muscle tissue; the rest is stored in the liver and kidney, while 0.5% is found in the circulating plasma. 

What are the benefits of L-carnitine?

Supplementation with carnitine has been linked with several health benefits. 

Here are five potential health benefits of L-Carnitine:

1. Burns Fat

L-carnitine is best known for its weight loss benefit as it transports fatty acids into the cells to be burned for energy, supporting various functions. It is considered a healthy way of reducing body weight, body mass index (BMI), and fat mass with physical activity in the long run. L-carnitine increases energy production and decreases fat accumulation and can particularly benefit individuals who want to lose weight and improve body composition.

Several studies have investigated the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on fat loss and body composition. Some suggest L-carnitine supplementation can lead to modest fat loss, particularly when combined with exercise.

However, L-carnitine should not be viewed as a magic solution for weight loss- it should always be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise routine.

2. Boosts Metabolism

One must have a robust metabolism for a healthy body since only a faster metabolism can help keep pace with a healthy lifestyle- L-carnitine helps boost metabolism by transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria as a source of energy. 

L-carnitine can also help regulate blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity by regulating lipid metabolites, which can help individuals with type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.

Overall, L-carnitine helps improve metabolic health and energy production.

3. Boosts Energy Before and After Workout

Supplementation with L-carnitine increases energy production and reduces fatigue during or after a workout. L-carnitine before a workout may help improve exercise performance and endurance; after a workout it helps in recovery.

L-carnitine makes your workouts super effective by burning calories and enabling you to give your best each time you hit the gym. 

The effects of L-carnitine on energy and recovery may vary depending on the health status, exercise routine, and diet. 

4. Improves Muscle Recovery 

L-carnitine supplementation may help improve recovery from the micro-tears caused due to exercise by reducing muscle damage and improving muscle repair. L-carnitine helps alleviate muscle injury and reduces markers of cellular damage and free radical formation that can cause muscle soreness and inflammation. 

L-carnitine supplementation enhances blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscle tissue and may help reduce the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles, which can contribute to muscle fatigue.

A well-rounded diet that includes sources of L-carnitine supplements, such as meat, fish, and dairy products, can also be helpful for recovery after exercise.

5. May boost immunity

L-carnitine may boost immunity, although research in this area is limited. Some studies suggest L-carnitine powder may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can improve immune health. L-carnitine supplementation helps scavenge free oxygen radicals leading to reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, neutralising their harmful effects on cells. Research suggests L-carnitine supplementation improves immune function in older individuals by increasing the activity of natural killer cells and reducing the levels of inflammatory markers.

However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of L-carnitine on immunity and immune function in humans. It’s pertinent to note that L-carnitine supplementation should not be viewed as a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle, which is important for maintaining a healthy immune system.

Conclusion

L-carnitine is well known as a fat burner compound among fitness enthusiasts, but one should club it with daily exercise to reap its benefits. L-Carnitine can be considered a good addition to improve health- opt for natural sources of L-Carnitine, such as dairy products, fish, meat, milk, sprouts, beans, lentils, and brazil nuts. 

One has to be consistent to get weight loss results and not go overboard without consulting a doctor or dietician before taking L-carnitine supplements.

References:

https://journals.lww.com/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/


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