L-carnitine: what is it and what benefits does this supplement have on your body

Carnitine is known by most people as a nutritional supplement, which is mainly used by those passionate about fitness, who want to lose weight and develop their muscle mass. An important aspect to mention is represented by the fact that carnitine is found naturally in the body and in certain foods, and its benefits are not only reserved for those who practice sports, but can have positive effects in other situations as well.

If you want to take care of your body and always have energy, then this article is for you. Read on and discover what carnitine is and what its role is in the body, what are its benefits, adverse effects and contraindications, information on how to administer it, as well as what types it is and what foods it is found in.

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1.1. What is carnitine?

1.2. What does carnitine help?

1.3. Types of carnitine

1. Carnitine - General information

L-carnitine is an amino acid that can be produced naturally in the body or that can be obtained by eating certain foods, but especially meat. Besides the presence of carnitine naturally in the body or food, it is also available in the form of nutritional supplements, which is why it can be administered when necessary. Carnitine is the generic name of the combination of chemical compounds l-carnitine, acetyl l-carnitine and propionyl-l-carnitine.

1.1. What is carnitine?

L-carnitine is an amino acid derivative and is found in the human body naturally. It can also be administered as a supplement, especially when you want to lose weight and increase muscle mass. In order for the human body to produce enough carnitine, it is necessary to properly assimilate vitamin C, which is responsible for the production of l-carnitine from two amino acids, namely lysine and methionine.

Around 98% of l-carnitine deposits are found in the muscles, while the rest is in the liver and blood. It has many health benefits, helping to increase the development of mitochondria and maintain them in an optimal state. Mitochondria play a significant role in preventing the onset of diseases with aging, but not only that.

1.2. What does carnitine help?

Carnitine plays an essential role in the body regarding energy production. It is responsible for this aspect due to the fact that it transports the fatty acids in the cells of the body, more precisely in their mitochondria, which are also called the energy plants of the cell. Therefore, these mitochondria help burn fatty acids and transform them into energy.

1.3. Types of carnitine

Another important piece of information that as many people as possible should know is represented by the fact that there are several types of carnitine, and among the most common are:

L-carnitine – This form of carnitine is produced by the human body, when there is enough vitamin C in the body. L-carnitine is used for supplements administered by athletes and supports the recovery process of muscle mass after training.

Acetyl-L-carnitine – This form goes through an acetylation process, thanks to which it reaches the brain and has a role in the alleviation of neurodegenerative diseases.

L-Carnitine Tartrate – Shows superior absorption in the body due to the attachment to tartaric acid

Propionyl-L-carnitine – It is a useful form in the treatment of cardiovascular problems due to the fact that it helps to increase nitric oxide and improve blood flow.

D-carnitine – This form is inactive and can cause a carnitine deficiency if the absorption of the other forms of carnitine in the body is inhibited.

2. Carnitine – benefits for the body

L-carnitine presents a series of benefits for the body, which cannot be overlooked. Although, in general, it is known and used as a weight loss supplement due to its role, it has more beneficial effects besides burning body fat. Thus, the main benefits of l-carnitine are:

Fat burning in the body

L-carnitine is an important element in the fat burning process, being considered a metabolic accelerator. This is possible due to the way in which the amino acid transports fats to the mitochondria, which then use them as fuel for the proper functioning of the body.

Increasing endurance

Considering that l-carnitine has an essential role in energy production, it is used by athletes to increase endurance and improve energy levels. According to studies carried out over time, following the administration of l-carnitine to athletes before training, their endurance increased considerably.

Muscle protection

Beyond increasing endurance, this supplement also supports the weight loss process, while protecting the muscles. Thus, following physical exercises, the muscles are protected, and muscle damage that may occur is prevented. However, if you have this goal in mind, keep in mind that in addition to the help provided by this supplement, a tailored diet and training is also necessary, so that you have a balanced lifestyle.

Improvement of brain functions

Beyond the benefits that l-carnitine has for the body, it also has positive effects for the general state of health, having implications for improving brain function. Also, following certain researches, it has been shown that this supplement can improve memory in the case of those suffering from Alzheimer's.

Regulating blood sugar levels

L-carnitine can help fight insulin resistance by maintaining an optimal blood sugar level. Therefore, if you are faced with such ailments, it is advisable to talk to a specialist doctor, who can guide you in this regard and propose an appropriate treatment plan.

Supporting the immune system

L-carnitine has a role in improving the immune function by stimulating the cells in the system to function as blood cells that protect the body from infections, a process that takes place through the degeneration of foreign elements that enter the human body.

In addition to all these benefits, it has been shown that l-carnitine also has a role in combating male infertility, certain cardiovascular diseases, increasing bone density, reducing cholesterol, as well as improving liver function, as long as it is administered properly following the recommendations of a doctor specialist, who analyzed the state of health.

3. Carnitine - adverse effects and contraindications

Although l-carnitine supplements have health benefits, there are situations in which they can generate certain unpleasant effects. These situations occur in most cases when the recommended dose is exceeded, following consultation with a specialist. Therefore, improper administration can lead to experiencing symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, cramps and other gastrointestinal ailments.

Regarding the contraindications, this supplement is not indicated for people who are at risk of cardiovascular diseases due to the fact that it is responsible for increasing the blood flow and in certain cases it can amplify the effects of other drugs administered with the role of keeping the blood vessels under control and by therefore, heart health.

Another contraindication of the supplement also applies to those suffering from hypothyroidism or alcoholic cirrhosis. Also, considering that this supplement is not regulated, there are no concrete studies according to which it can be administered without problems by pregnant women. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor, who after certain analyzes will recommend or not the use of l-carnitine as a nutritional supplement.

4. When is carnitine taken and what is the method of administration?

The levels of l-carnitine in the body are influenced by food and the level of energy your body produces, so l-carnitine values ​​differ from one person to another. For example, in the case of people who have a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, the value of l-carnitine will be much lower than that of people who regularly consume animal products. In this context, vegans and vegetarians are a category of people for whom the administration of l-carnitine supplements can do them a lot of good, but it is recommended to consult a nutrition specialist, so that the supplements are chosen and taken appropriately.

Another category of people for whom l-carnitine supplements are suitable is represented by athletes and people who have a very active lifestyle. Due to the benefits of this supplement, those who want to be energetic, lose weight and increase their muscle mass, can take l-carnitine. Of course, its administration is indicated when a healthy lifestyle is maintained from all points of view. Otherwise, its beneficial effects may not be as expected.

Beyond all these aspects, l-carnitine supplements can be very helpful for the elderly as well. Considering that with advancing age there is a risk of developing various diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver or kidney diseases, the level of carnitine in the body could be low, the respective people facing a deficit. As in the case of any other health problems, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor before taking any decision regarding the administration of supplements.

Regarding the way of administration, it can differ from case to case, but if you are among the sports people who have a healthy lifestyle, nutriland.ro specialists recommend the consumption of 1g -3g per serving, being ideal that this should be done in the morning on an empty stomach before doing daily physical exercises. Therefore, the administration of any supplement must be done following a detailed documentation and taking into account the advice of nutrition specialists or medical specialists when certain ailments are present in the body in the health history.

Also, nutritional supplements with l-carnitine must be chosen with great care from reliable suppliers. In this sense, the nutriland.ro store has over 10 years of experience in the field and offers a wide range of supplements, including carnitine . If you have many question marks regarding the products to choose, then the nutrition advisors from the nutriland.ro team can help you choose exactly what suits you according to your needs. Therefore, if you have any doubts, do not hesitate to clarify them before making any kind of purchase.

5. Sources of L-carnitine

As I mentioned before, the amino acid l-carnitine can be obtained both from natural sources and from supplements specially created for this purpose. In addition to supplements, which are very helpful in terms of carnitine assimilation, it can also be found in various foods such as:

• Beef, pork and chicken
• Over
• Whole milk
• Wholemeal bread
• Asparagus
• Cheeses (especially Cheddar)
• Other food products

If you have a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, there is a chance to get enough l-carnitine to ensure the processes that contribute to the formation of energy. However, considering that sometimes the diet is not enough to support certain aspects of health, the option of administering supplements specially created with l-carnitine is welcome.

In conclusion, l-carnitine is a supplement with multiple benefits for the body, which you can enjoy to the maximum as long as you have a healthy lifestyle from all points of view. If you want to buy supplements with l-carnitine, consider that they are of good quality and take into account the advice of a nutrition specialist to make the best choice and administer them properly. In this way, you will be able to enjoy life to the fullest thanks to your optimal state of health.

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