L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine
Also known as: Levocarnitine
An amino-acid-derived compound essential for fat metabolism, FDA-approved for genuine deficiency and widely used for energy and recovery.
Overview
L-carnitine is a compound the body makes and obtains from food that shuttles fatty acids into mitochondria to be burned for energy. Levocarnitine is FDA-approved for treating primary and secondary carnitine deficiency, including in dialysis patients. It is also widely used as a supplement for exercise performance and recovery, where evidence is mixed. It is not a peptide.
Mechanism of action
Transports long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation, supporting energy production in muscle.
Key studies & citations
- Human2011
Chronic oral ingestion of L-carnitine and carbohydrate increases muscle carnitine content and alters muscle fuel metabolism during exercise in humans
24 weeks of L-carnitine with carbohydrate raised muscle carnitine and shifted exercise fuel use; short-term dosing does not.
Journal of Physiology - Review2018
L-Carnitine supplementation in recovery after exercise
Reviews evidence that carnitine may attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage and aid recovery; ergogenic effects on performance are mixed.
Nutrients
Frequently asked questions
Does L-carnitine burn fat or boost performance?
It is essential for transporting fat into cells for energy, but as a supplement in people who are not deficient the performance and fat-loss evidence is mixed.