What is L- carnitine?
It is an amino acid classified as conditionally essential which displays vitamin-like properties. First
discovered by two Russian scientists in the muscles of animals, it's name is
derived from the Latin word carne,
meaning flesh. It was first thought of as a part of the Vitamin B family
because it has nitrogen and is water soluble. However, the body can produce it
on its own by processing the amino acids lysine and methionine. A vitamin
cannot be produced by the body.
What makes it unique is that
L-carnitine dislodges fats from the tissue and
transports fatty acids into the cell's powerhouse (the mitochondria) to be burned off with oxygen
for energy. This seems great when being viewed in theory. More L-carnitine in
the body, more fat burning potential,
right? The answer might surprise you.
The Caveat
Some training and nutrition
experts have voiced out their opinion that if normal people with no serious
metabolic conditions in terms of breaking down fatty acids and eat a normal diet,
then it would have no significant impact in terms of fat loss.
This does not mean that
L-carnitine is totally useless for fat burning, this is due to the fact that
some people have inadvertently altered their bodies capacity to metabolize fats
by under going a very low calorie diet. Therefore, it might be necessary for
those who have this condition to supplement with L-carnitine.
Other Uses
Though it might not work as an
intended fat burner for people with normal metabolism, L-carnitine can still help you in your quest for fat loss because
it has been shown to do the following:
- support normal blood flow
- improve muscular endurance
- decrease bad cholesterol and
increase good cholesterol
- reduce triglycerides
- help with healthy functioning
of the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system during stressful times
and even at rest
- increase energy levels
Anyone who is on a fat loss
program knows how every bit energy is precious, thus making L-carnitine a
dietary supplement worth considering.
Recommended dosage
It has been proven that for
L-carnitine to be effective, one should take anywhere from 1,000 milligrams to
6,000 milligrams (mg) a day. If a pill or any drink offers less than 100 mg, it
is nothing more than a sales gimmick and will cost you more money. If you are
set out to supplement with it, find a brand with at least 500 mg to get your
money's worth, otherwise your just wasting money.
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