L-Carnitine

An important amino acid for supporting heart and skeletal muscle function*

• Helps convert fat to energy*
• Helps improve performance during aerobic exercise*
• Supports optimal skeletal and cardiac muscle function*
• Supports healthy levels of cholesterol and triglycerides*
• Promotes healthy sperm count and sperm motility*

The amino acid L-carnitine is a cofactor required for the metabolism of fats and their subsequent transport into the mitochondria, where they undergo oxidation and produce energy.*

Individuals prone to being deficient in L-carnitine, and for those whom supplementation would be advisable, include individuals on dialysis and individuals who are HIV-positive.* Supplementation with L-carnitine appears to be of benefit in supporting general wellbeing, appetite control, cardiovascular health, carbohydrate metabolism, reproductive health, and muscle health.*

L-carnitine has also been shown to benefit athletic performance.* For example, studies have shown improvements in running speed, increased maximal oxygen uptake, and decreases in average oxygen consumption, heart rate, and lactic acid.* Studies on high-repetition exercise observed improved muscle recovery after L-carnitine supplementation.*

L-carnitine is probably best known for its cardiac benefits.* In the heart muscle, L-carnitine facilitates fatty acid use, and promotes rhythm, myocardial blood flow, and cardiac output.*

Carnitine also helps maintain normal blood lipid levels, with research showing support in maintaining already normal levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) (associated with LDL cholesterol), and triglycerides.*