Carnitine or L-carnitine is a substance produced naturally by the human body. It is a nonessential amino acid whose main purpose is to burn body fat for energy conversion. It is a vital component in the body’s metabolism. The muscles, including the heart, require fat for energy and rely on L-carnitine to take the body’s fats and triglycerides down to the cell for breakdown. Unless you are gifted with a good metabolism, your body will surely have unwanted fat deposits. Stored fat can be much harder to remove than fat already in the bloodstream. With L-carnitine, releasing stored fats will be much easier and they become faster to burn. Without it, you’ll have less energy to go through your daily activities and you will store more fat than you need.
Although L-carnitine is a naturally occurring substance, you still need to supplement it with food intake to keep a healthy supply. Because the liver and the kidneys require a good supply of vitamin B6, niacin, and iron to produce L-carnitine, a well-balanced diet would be beneficial. However, in this day and age, it is hard to keep a well-balanced diet three times a day. You can try increasing your intake of the following food sources of l-carnitine: red lean meats, milk products, grains, nuts, beans and select fruits. But proper food intake still might not be enough if you exercise regularly. Those who work out exhaust their supply of l-carnitine much faster. They can’t take advantage of the additional energy L-carnitine provides and they tire out quicker. This discourages a lot of people to work out because after all that hard work, their body fats still cling on to their body for dear life. Here’s where bodybuilding supplements come in. Supplements can help you remain fit and fat-free. After all, L-carnitine is the most popular ingredient in fat burners and bodybuilding supplements. Taking in additional L-carnitine will shed off those extra fat and boost your energy and stamina.
When to take l-carnitine supplements?
It is recommended to take supplements before you start exercise on an empty stomach. An empty stomach would digest the L-carnitine supplement quickly. Taking it before exercise will give you an additional energy source so you won’t tire out easily and you can go through your exercise routine without a problem. It boosts energy while breaking down fat.
Other benefits of L-carnitine
- Aids in building muscle mass for those who want to achieve their exercise goals faster
- Removes fats in the liver which can prevent fatty liver disease
- Improves blood flow to the different organs of the body which in turn promotes better delivery of nutrients
- Promotes muscle repair after a gruelling workout
L-carnitine is a proven safe and effective fat burner. But like any other food supplements, do your research first or ask your doctor’s opinion. Stay healthy and stay fit.
