L-Carnitine: What is it and when is it useful?

Brief introduction: What is L-Carnitine?

L-carnitine is a vitamin-like substance and supports metabolism and also provides the energy needed in all muscles (including the heart muscle), which is why L-carnitine is one of the more important substances of nutrition and body supply.

The benefits of L-carnitine derive from its natural functioning

L-carnitine is used in high-end supplements, but it is a thoroughly natural, endogenous product. The University of Maryland Medical Center summarizes the function of L-carnitine very well: It is a substance that helps the body convert fat into energy - in other words, burn it. As a natural substance, it would be produced in the liver and kidneys. In addition, it can be ingested through the traditional diet or even the very intense supplements. As an athlete, you can use the L-Carnitine to increase your training success and also to become even faster efficient.

Antioxidants improve metabolic processes

L-carnitine is one of the active substances that have an antioxidant effect and thus help to break down the free radicals produced in the body during metabolic processes. Thus, the body is cared for from the inside, the harmful effect of free radicals is minimized. Antioxidants are present in sports nutrition and dietary supplements, and surprisingly - as one major food manufacturer reports - are also present in coffee, cereals and even fruit, for example. With our L-Carnitine you can supplement your normal meal intake with a high-quality extra supply of L-Carnitine! By the way, antioxidants are not only used in food supplements, as a component of high-quality cosmetics, their power can also be applied and used directly on the skin.

Support fat burning

The main function of L-Carnitine is to support fat burning, which has at least a twofold effect on your body: on the one hand, fat burning provides your muscles with the nutrients they need during hard workouts, and on the other hand, a lower fat percentage means that your muscles become much better defined. The lower fat percentage also makes your body look much more proportioned, healthier, and of course, trained. Your diet with L-Carnitine also strengthens your body because your increased basal metabolic rate from more exercise and training meets the optimized food supply.

Better muscle supply indirectly leads to faster muscle growth

Unlike the BCAA, the branched chain amino acids, the effect for muscle building is not so intense and rather indirect. L-Carnitine, together with the training and the fun of the movement, fights the too high body fat percentage and ensures a good nutrient supply of the muscles and the entire body. In addition, other positiev effects on your health feeling and the readiness for sports performance can occur.

The right dosage with plenty of protein and carbohydrates

In general, the intake of about 2 grams of L-Carnitine per day is proven. The best effect is achieved when you take 2 capsules a day and then an additional capsule before training. Each capsule contains 8.8 % carbohydrates, 11 % protein and only 2.3 grams of fat. Best taken with some liquid and should be taken more than 30 minutes before your workout.
L-carnitine is generally believed to have no known significant side effects. However, in case of overdose, it is quickly broken down by the kidneys, which is why the "too much" of L-carnitine does not bring any additional effect. Therefore, you should stick to the dosage information of your product.

L-Carnitine is a real all-rounder

L-Carnitine is a classic and also a real multi-talent. In 2007, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published interesting information on the effect of L-carnitine, which goes beyond the already described muscle building and the easier breakdown of fatty tissue. The authors of the study speak of an improvement in cognitive performance and physical activity by, among other things, reducing fatigue and generally improving cognitive functions.