How does l carnitine help you lose weight

L-carnitine is a type of carnitine , which is a derivative of amino acids. Amino acids combine to make proteins, which carry out many essential tasks in the body. Carnitine helps the body break down fatty acids and turn them into energy to power the cells.

L-carnitine is a conditionally essential nutrient , meaning that the body can generally make enough of it, but, in some cases, a person may have to get the compound from food or oral supplements if they cannot make enough. In the body, the liver and kidneys create L-carnitine from the amino acids lysine and methionine.

The kidneys can also store L-carnitine for later use and eliminate the excess through the urine stream. Carnitine is a broad term that describes a few different compounds. L-carnitine is a more common form of carnitine, present in the body and many supplements.

Other forms of carnitine include:. L-carnitine, and carnitine in general, is a key component in creating energy for the cells. L-carnitine also has a secondary function of helping remove some waste products from the cells to prevent them from accumulating and causing problems. In addition to its core functions, L-carnitine may also pose some other benefits to the body. These include:.

L-carnitine may help with some markers of heart health, although the research is still ongoing. Supplementation may help improve L-carnitine levels in a failing heart, which could boost heart health and circulation in the short term following a heart attack. Supplementation may also help with symptoms of heart failure, such as chest pain and arrhythmia. At times, cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, may cause a person to become deficient in L-carnitine.

In these cases, L-carnitine supplements may help reduce symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. Researchers are currently studying the compound as a possible way to prevent tissue damage due to chemotherapy, but this research is in the early stages. As the kidneys and liver help create and use L-carnitine, disease in these organs or organ failure may lead to L-carnitine deficiency. Doctors may recommend L-carnitine supplementation in these cases to support the function of the kidneys and liver and prevent deficiency.

Most people tolerate L-carnitine well. However, some individuals may experience digestive side effects when taking L-carnitine. A study published in The Journal of Physiology in February reported on a set of circumstances in which the muscle carnitine was increased in people. It requires high carbohydrate consumption along with twice-daily L-carnitine supplementation for at least six months, because shorter time periods didn't show any increases in muscle carnitine levels.

This increased muscle carnitine made it possible for participants to exercise longer without feeling as if they were working as hard. The potential to increase exercise length and intensity may make it easier to lose weight, but some people find it harder to lose weight when consuming large amounts of carbohydrates, so it's not clear whether this set of circumstances will actually be helpful for weight-loss purposes.

Further research is necessary to verify these effects and whether they can lead to increased weight loss. In some people, carnitine can cause fishy body odor, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, rash, increases in appetite, diarrhea or body odor, especially with the high doses found in supplements. It may not be safe to take this supplement if you have liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, seizure disorder or diabetes.

Carnitine may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and thyroid hormones, so check with your doctor to make sure carnitine supplementation is safe for you and, if so, to find out the correct dosage. It plays a significant role in boosting your body's metabolism. It does this by improving mitochondrial function and increasing cellular energy.

Many athletes use it to help them burn fat, enjoy enhanced recovery and prevent muscle fatigue. Trace amounts are found in the liver and the blood as well. The body can produce L-Carnitine on its own with the help of the amino acids methionine and lysine.

However, supplemental L-Carnitine can help to make up for deficiencies in these amino acids, especially among people who eat plant-based diets and don't get adequate amounts of them from animal products.

Some people also have genetic conditions that make it difficult for them to produce L-Carnitine and can benefit from L-Carnitine supplementation. L-Carnitine works by transporting fatty acids from food into the mitochondria of the cell. There, they are converted into energy. This allows you to burn fat during workouts, and at the same time, it will prevent muscle failure, fatigue, and that sluggish feeling many people experience, especially during a dieting phase.

The energy that is produced from the fatty acids can be used by the heart, brain, and muscle, causing a positive effect on all three of these parts in the body. Besides fat loss, other benefits of L-Carnitine include increased endurance and enhanced muscle recovery. Many athletes notice a significant boost in their performance when they supplement with L-Carnitine.

They may also experience better muscle gains and have an easier time getting back into the gym after difficult workouts. L-Carnitine supplementation can also help with cognition and better brain function. You may find that you have an easier time focusing when you take it on a regular basis, especially if your diet is lacking in L-Carnitine or the other amino acids that act as precursors to it. L-Carnitine supplementation may slow down the aging process due to its effect on cellular health as well.

Results: As was to be expected, the rats lost a considerable amount of weight on the energy-reduced diet. At the same time a shift occurred in the ratio of fat to protein in favour of protein in the carcass, leading to a marked reduction of body fat levels and a slight reduction of protein levels. There were, however, no significant differences between the control group and the treated group with L-carnitine supplementation with regard to any of these parameters.