L-carnitine

What is L-carnitine?

L-carnitine is a small molecule the body makes from the amino acids lysine and methionine, and also gets from meat. Its job is transport: long-chain fatty acids cannot cross into mitochondria on their own, and carnitine carries them in so they can be burned for energy.

It is supplied here as a ready sterile solution.

How does it work?

• The carnitine shuttle: enzymes attach fatty acids to carnitine, carry them across the inner mitochondrial membrane and release them inside.
• Beta-oxidation: inside, the fatty acids are broken down for energy.
• Clean-up: carnitine also carries excess acyl groups out of mitochondria, which is why acylcarnitines are used as markers of mitochondrial health.

What do researchers study it for?

• Fat burning and energy metabolism
• Exercise recovery
• Mitochondrial function and its markers
• As a base for blends such as Lipo-C and Super Shred