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If you’re into fitness, you’ve probably heard about L-carnitine. This supplement is known to those looking to lose weight, but there are actually several other benefits it has. Read on to learn the full story about this “fat burning supplement”.
L-carnitine is a compound which makes our body use more energy, and therefore causes us to burn more fat. It is an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body, however stress, a vegan diet or excessive fat intake can lead to deficiency.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 Our Selection: The Best L-Carnitine Supplements on the UK Market
- 2.1 The Best Value for Money L-Carnitine Capsules
- 2.2 The Best L-Carnitine Tablets for Speeding up Muscle Recovery
- 2.3 The Best L-Carnitine Supplement for Burning Fat
- 2.4 The Best L-Carnitine Supplement Sourced and Packaged 100% in the UK
- 2.5 The Best L-Carnitine Supplement Recommended by Personal Trainers
- 3 Buyer’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know About L-Carnitine Supplements
- 3.1 What is L-carnitine exactly?
- 3.2 Who is affected by L-carnitine deficiency?
- 3.3 How does L-carnitine deficiency manifest itself?
- 3.4 What are the benefits L-carnitine?
- 3.5 How can I increase L-carnitine levels through diet?
- 3.6 Who can benefit from L-carnitine supplements?
- 3.7 What is the recommended dose for L-carnitine supplements?
- 3.8 How and when should I take my L-carnitine supplement?
- 3.9 What types of L-carnitine supplements are available?
- 3.10 What side effects are there from taking L-carnitine?
- 3.11 What is the difference between different types of L-carnitine?
- 3.12 How does L-carnitine compare to slimming drugs?
- 3.13 How much does L-carnitine cost?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- L-carnitine is a fatty acid transporter. It allows fats to enter the mitochondria to be oxidised.
- L-carnitine is essential for the production of energy at a cellular level. Deficiency produces fatigue and muscle weakness.
- L-carnitine supplements have been shown to assist with fat loss in overweight or obese people.
Our Selection: The Best L-Carnitine Supplements on the UK Market
L-carnitine is a very popular supplement within the fitness industry as well as with people looking to lose weight. With so many options, finding the best product can be very time-consuming. If you’re vegan or looking for a quality product, the search can be almost impossible. To help you save time, we’ve ranked the five best L-carnitine supplements available on the market.
- The Best Value for Money L-Carnitine Capsules
- The Best L-Carnitine Tablets for Speeding up Muscle Recovery
- The Best L-Carnitine Supplement for Burning Fat
- The Best L-Carnitine Supplement Sourced and Packaged 100% in the UK
- The Best L-Carnitine Supplement Recommended by Personal Trainers
The Best Value for Money L-Carnitine Capsules
BULK POWDERS L-Carnitine is an amino acid found naturally in the body; Carnitine synthesis occurs primarily in the Liver. There are various forms of L-Carnitine available, but BULK POWDERS have opted to use an ‘L-Tartrate’ ester, as this is the purest format available – delivering a high quality, high dosage of 1000mg per capsule. Carnitine can be found naturally in the diet, predominately in meat and dairy products, and serves several functions including carrying fat to the mitochondria. Typically used pre-workout.
500g for under £7 is a great value for money product.
The Best L-Carnitine Tablets for Speeding up Muscle Recovery
In N2 Natural Nutrition, they use nutritional science and the best natural ingredients to provide well being for your body and you mind in a natural way. We prepare supplements of the highest quality in laboratories in the EC, complying with strict norms and manufacturing processes such as the ISO 9001, and the US FDA’s GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), apart from not containing preservatives or additives such as magnesium stearate.
N2 Natural Nutrition’s L-Carnitine 1500 increases the levels of Energy and Resistance. Moreover, it favours the metabolism of heavy fats, acting as a Fat Burner, being able to improve the Muscular Recovery, the Physical and Mental Performance. Recommended in Resistance and Aerobic activity.
The Best L-Carnitine Supplement for Burning Fat
Evlution Nutrition L-Carnitine500. Shed weight faster and amplify muscle growth with Evlution Nutrition L-Carnitine500, a stimulant-free fat burning solution that enhances your workout, improves your physique, and helps you to push yourself to your limits.
L-Carnitine500 works from the inside, converting stored body fat to fuel by transporting long chain fatty acids to cells where they can be converted into energy. This process found in our pure L-Carnitine helps to stave off fatigue, so you can exercise longer, recover faster, and get the most out of each workout.
The Best L-Carnitine Supplement Sourced and Packaged 100% in the UK
Manufactured in the UK under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) under License in an ISO accredited facility. Supplemented.co.uk Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500mg. Manufactured using high quality PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE ingredients.
Environmentally friendly minimalist slimline packaging which slips directly through your letterbox. No waiting in or visits to the post office, premium ingredients ensure that we are able to guarantee you the highest bioavailability to ensure maximum absorption.
The Best L-Carnitine Supplement Recommended by Personal Trainers
This product is perfect for those looking to add more L-Carnitine to their diet, but wanting to avoid tablets. L-Carnitine has been shown in numerous studies to support fat loss and aid in muscle preservation when taken in liquid form during training, making it a powerful, stimulant free fat burner supplement for men and women.
This product comes in 3 different flavours to ensure it can satisfy every palate, including berry, blue razz, and green apple. Past customers rated this product highly for those looking to take along with gym exercises, and many say this product was recommended by their personal trainer. This may be something to consult with your trainer about and possibly add to your workouts!
Buyer’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know About L-Carnitine Supplements
We know that obesity is an growing epidemic in the UK. This has lead to a growing amount of research done to develop supplements that promote weight loss. Among these is L-carnitine, a fat transporter that can be produced by the body or taken as a supplement.
L-carnitine is very useful for athletes who do strength training.
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What is L-carnitine exactly?
L-carnitine helps the body produce energy. It is important for heart and brain function, muscle movement, and many other body processes. It transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria so they can be oxidised (“burned”) to produce energy.
Exercise, L-carnitine and caffeine together can help to accelerate the combustion of energy.
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This substance because it is naturally produced in the body, so it was originally thought to be “impossible” to have a deficiency. However, vegans, people under stress and people with insufficient micronutrients can be deficient in this nutrient. This causes weak muscle tissue.
Who is affected by L-carnitine deficiency?
- Vegans and vegetarians: A plant-based diet contains less carnitine than those of animal origin.
- People who follow “miracle” diets: These diets have insufficient levels of nutrients and can cause a number of nutritional deficiencies.
- Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Some studies have found low levels of carnitine in these women.
- People under stress: L-carnitine is used to combat stress, and therefore prolonged stress can reduce carnitine levels.
- High-performance athletes: High-intensity exercise puts the body in a stressful situation that can deplete L-carnitine reserves.
- People following certain medical treatments: Valproic acid, for example, has been linked to low levels of L-carnitine
How does L-carnitine deficiency manifest itself?
Symptoms can happen a bit differently in each person. Children with primary carnitine deficiency tend to show symptoms within the first few years of life. But in some cases, symptoms may start as an adult.
You may also have no symptoms, or your symptoms may be very mild. Some symptoms may appear with skipping meals, a lot of exercise, or illness.
- Muscular deficiency of L-carnitine: Leads to muscle weakness, fatigue, aching muscle following exercise and swelling in the lower limbs (oedema).
- Systemic deficit of L-carnitine: Has less specific symptoms, such as irritability and low concentration. If left untreated, it can eventually cause heart and liver damage.
It is also possible to distinguish between primary and secondary L-carnitine deficiency. A primary deficit is a rare condition caused by an abnormal gene. Secondary deficiency is a more common condition. In this case the problem is that there isn’t enough carnitine in the blood. It can result from a number of health problems.
Vegans and vegetarians can suffer from L-carnitine deficit. This will affect their sport performance.
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What are the benefits L-carnitine?
More research is needed to confirm the benefits of L-carnitine in a younger, more active population. While it may aid in weight loss for obese individuals or older adults, a thorough diet and exercise regimen must be in place first.
L-carnitine can help overweight and obese people, not only athletes.
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Studies in athletes have shown that carnitine supplementation may even boost exercise performance. By producing more energy, it increases aerobic resistance. It also reduces the levels of lactic acid in the muscles and acts as an antioxidant. This aids faster muscle recovery after intense exercise.
How can I increase L-carnitine levels through diet?
- Foods rich in carnitine: Veal meat, whole milk, bluefish, poultry, cheese, wholemeal bread and asparagus.
- Foods rich in lysine: cheese, yoghurt, butter, soy products, legumes, pumpkin seeds, nuts, quinoa and seitan.
- Methionine-rich foods: Lamb meat, pork, poultry, eggs, whole milk, yoghurt, baked beans, bluefish, soybeans and soy products.
If you maintain a balanced diet, you should have no problems with your levels of L-carnitine. As you can probably gather, carnitine is in many animal products. This is why vegans tend to get less carnitine from foods, but generally their bodies should produce enough either way.
L-carnitine is especially useful for athletes.
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Who can benefit from L-carnitine supplements?
- People who are overweight or obese
- Athletes looking to increase their aerobic endurance
- Vegans or vegetarians with unbalanced diets
- Anyone wanting to improve mental performance
People of a healthy weight who take L-carnitine supplements generally do not experience weightless. In contrast, people who are overweight or obese can be found to lose weight with this product. Therefore, if your BMI is over 25, levocarnitine could be useful to you. Unfortunately, though, it will not help to shift localised fat (such as belly, thigh and buttocks).
Body Mass Index (BMI) uses an individual’s the size and weight to estimate their level of health. A BMI of less than 18.5 indicates malnutrition, while a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 corresponds to a normal weight. A BMI greater than 25 means the individual is probably overweight.
Analysis have shown that alcoholics treated with L-carnitine remained completely abstinent for longer than those without. Scientists have also found significant improvement in Alzheimer’s patients by combining L-carnitine with standard medications used in treating the disease. Therefore, levocarnitine could help you to improve mental functioning depending on your condition.
What is the recommended dose for L-carnitine supplements?
Adults eating mixed diets that include red meat and other animal products obtain about 60–180 milligrams of carnitine per day. The recommended daily intake of levocarnitine is 20 mg per kg of body weight, though our bodies only absorb 15% of what is taken by supplements.
How and when should I take my L-carnitine supplement?
- How? Take L-carnitine to support your fitness. Stimulation is through exercise essential to benefit from L-carnitine. Use it in combination with your sports training.
- When? One of the best times to take L-carnitine is post-workout, but you can take it with any other high-carb, high-protein meal throughout the day.
- Should I fast? Some experts recommend using L-carnitine while fasting to increase its absorption. However, fruit juice or foods high in glucose will produce a “peak” of insulin that will increase your muscle concentration.
- For how long? The beneficial effects at the muscular level will appear after about three weeks of daily supplementation.
What types of L-carnitine supplements are available?
You can find over-the-counter products with a high concentration of L-carnitine. Generally, these products contain about 500-1000 mg per tablet. Higher doses used in the medical field for the treatment of thyroid, cardiac and male infertility conditions.
What side effects are there from taking L-carnitine?
Rare side effects can include muscle weakness in uremic patients and seizures in people with seizure disorders as well as higher incidence of atherosclerosis. You should keep a close eye on your cholesterol levels under the supervision of your doctor if you are worried about the state of your arteries.
Your doctor should advise you on whether an L-carnitine supplement is recommended during pregnancy.
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L-carnitine deficiency during pregnancy is dangerous, both for the mother and the fetus. Taking L-carnitine during pregnancy has not shown to have adverse effects on the baby during pregnancy. However, it is always essential to consult with your doctor or midwife before taking any supplements during pregnancy.
What is the difference between different types of L-carnitine?
| Molecule | Primary function | Applications | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-carnitine (levocarnitine) | Fatty acids transporter | Weight control, antioxidant and increased aerobic capacity | Stomach pain, nausea |
| Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) | Neuroprotector | Antioxidant at the cerebral level. Treatment of depression, Parkinson’s Disease and fibromyalgia | Nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, hypertension, hyperglycemia and mental disorders |
| L-carnitine L tartrate (LCLCT) | Fatty acids transporter | Improves post-training recovery | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastroesophageal reflux and seizures |
| Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine | Energy production and vasodilation | Diseases of the circulation and post-infarction recovery | Nausea, vomiting, tightness and pain in the chest, generalised weakness |
| D-carnitine (dextrocarnitine) | Inactive | None | Blocks the effects of L-carnitine |
Found in your body, foods and most supplements, L-carnitine is the standard biologically active form of carnitine. D-carnitine is inactive form that may cause a carnitine deficiency in your body by inhibiting the absorption of other, more useful forms if not taken for the right symptoms.
The most effective form for your brain is Acetyl-L-carnitine, often called ALCAR. Studies suggest that it may benefit people with neurodegenerative diseases. Propionyl-L-carnitine is well-suited for circulatory issues, such as peripheral vascular disease and high blood pressure. It may boost production of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow.
How does L-carnitine compare to slimming drugs?
| Product | Form of action | Effectiveness | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-carnitine (levocarnitine) | Transports fats to mitochondria | Minor, needs to be accompanied by exercise | Nausea and stomach pain |
| Orlistat | Inhibits fat absorption | Moderate (-5 cm waist in 6 months) | Allergic reactions, anxiety, diarrhoea, colic, gas, fecal incontinence |
| Sibutramine | Stops appetite | High | |
| Rimonabant | Stops appetite | High |
As you can see, most weight-loss medications come with a series of serious side effects.
Compared with these, L-carnitine is a safe option that can assist with weight loss.
How much does L-carnitine cost?
Normally, a pack of L-carnitine capsules or tablets will contain about 120 tablets, which will last around two months. Liquid vials come in boxes of 20 units, meaning you’ll need to buy more on a regular basis. The higher cost of L-carnitine can be justified as is more easily absorbed in this form.
Shopping Criteria
There are many different types of supplements out there containing l-carnitine. It is important for you to know which supplement is best for you and will suit your needs. Remember, healthy individuals may not need supplements, or may only need a very small dose. This will help you to find a product for you:
- Allergies and Intolerances
- Medication Interactions
- Vegan or Vegetarian Nutrition
- Method of Administration
- Caffeine Content
- Value for Money
Allergies and Intolerances
L-carnitine produced by our bodies, and is essential to our health. Due to this, allergic reactions to this supplement are very rare. There have been reports of allergies to other ingredients in L-carnitine supplements. If you are allergic to lactose or gluten, you should be particularly careful with these products.
Medication Interactions
L-carnitine may react with prescription medication. For example, this supplement could limit the effectiveness of anticoagulants (such as Sintrom). It may also limit the effects of thyroid hormones. If you are taking medication for any of these conditions, consult with your doctor before taking supplements.
L-carnitine supplements are particularly useful for athletes.
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Vegan or Vegetarian Nutrition
L-carnitine supplements are of vegetable origin, which will help vegans and vegetarians to improve their levels of this important transporter. Please keep in mind that taking L-carnitine supplements is not essential for vegans and vegetarians, and may not be necessary depending on the individual. This is something to consult with your doctor about.
Method of Administration
Oral L-carnitine supplements are sold in different forms:
- Tablets: Levocarnitine is given in solid form, in coated tablets. They have a neutral flavour and are easy to swallow.
- Soft capsules: L-carnitine in its liquid state is contained inside these easy-to-swallow and fast-absorbing capsules. Most capsules are made of gelatin, which comes from cows and therefore is not usually suitable for vegans.
- Powder: In this form, L-carnitine is easy to dose and swallow. It can be mixed with water, juice or milk. If not mixed properly, it can be lumpy and therefore harder to take.
- Liquid: A very versatile form of the supplement. This is the fastest absorbing, is easy to swallow and comes in single-dose formats making it extremely portable. However, it is also the most expensive way to take L-carnitine.
Caffeine Content
L-Carnitine is stimulant-free. It does not contain anything such as caffeine or other stimulants that are popularly found in other energy supplements and drinks. This is important to note because you can take this any time of day or add it to your current supplement intake.
Value for Money
Liquid L-carnitine is absorbed more quickly. However, it is also much more expensive than the solid form of the supplement. Remember that it take a few weeks to start seeing results with this product. In order to have the desired effects on your metabolism, you need to use it regularly over a period of time.
Summary
Most people will go on some new fad diet, add in some cardio to their workout regimen, grab an over-the-counter weight loss miracle pill, or a combination of all of these things in order to lose weight. Now you can buy one supplement that is proven to help you burn off fat by converting it into energy.
We hope that the information in this guide helps you to use L-carnitine effectively. Coupled with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, this supplement can assist you to achieve your weight loss goals. Stay away from other, dangerous weight-loss medications and choose this safe and recognised supplement instead!
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