Health Benefits of L-Carnitine and Other Benefits

Regardless of what your goals are in sports: building muscle or losing fat, L-carnitine will certainly come in handy in your arsenal of supplements.

We have written before about what L-carnitine is, so in this article we will focus on the main benefits of L-carnitine supplements. It is worth mentioning that the first studies with L-carnitine date back to 1937.

The main known benefits of L-carnitine

1. Burn fat

If you want to be slim, this amino acid is what you need. L-carnitine transports long-chain fatty acids such as triglycerides into the mitochondria, where they can be oxidized for energy. L-carnitine also reduces fatigue and acts as an appetite suppressant, so L-carnitine is really useful during dieting. This will not only help you lose more fat, but will also maintain your aerobic capacity to burn more calories.

2. Lean muscle mass

L-carnitine is also a great weapon for “hardgainers” aiming to increase muscle mass. L-Carnitine can help you increase strength, which will help you lift heavier weights, which leads to muscle growth.

3. Bone mass

Loss of bone density with aging is a major concern for many older adults and postmenopausal women. They can increase fractures, osteoporosis and arthritis. L-carnitine can slow the process of bone loss and improve the microstructural properties of bones, reducing bone wear.

4. Heart condition

Carnitine is mainly used to treat heart problems. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate that L-carnitine can be used alongside the usual treatment of angina pectoris to reduce the need for traditional medications and medicines to avoid pain and discomfort. Some studies have found that taking carnitine after a heart attack reduces the chance of having another heart attack. Carnitine has been used to treat people with heart disease.

5. Kidney helper

Your kidneys produce carnitine naturally. In kidney disease, the kidneys no longer produce carnitine, so it must be taken in supplement form.

6. Male infertility

For men who are trying to have children but have a low sperm count, carnitine has been suggested as a means of improving both sperm count and sperm quality.

7. For breastfeeding women

The body of breastfeeding women loses l-carnitine. Taking carnitine will ensure that the body does not lack this amino acid and the weight will decrease faster after giving birth.

8. Type II diabetes

People who have type 2 diabetes can also benefit from carnitine. L-carnitine helps diabetics increase glucose oxidation, glucose storage and glucose absorption.

9. Immune system

L-carnitine acts as an antioxidant that can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. This can help when you’re dealing with allergies during the winter.

10. Brain functions

L-carnitine helps protect the brain from age-related damage and stress, helping the brain function longer and better.

11. Antidote for valproic acid poisoning

While this may not be related to bodybuilding, there are thousands of documented cases of valproic acid. L-carnitine will help you if you suffer from this dangerous acid poisoning. Valproic acid (VPA) is a chemical compound used as an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and sometimes depression. It is also used to treat migraines and schizophrenia.

Use of L-carnitine

1-3 grams of carnitine per day are sufficient for general health and to achieve desired goals. Details on how much, how and when to use L-carnitine and what to combine it with can be found in this article.

L-carnitine is available in capsules, tablets and liquid form. So, pay more attention to L-carnitine supplements and take advantage of the full range of benefits they offer.