L-carnitine is synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine but it can also be found in nutritional sources such as red meats, dairy products and avocados. Its main role in the body is to help metabolize food into energy. L-carnitine does this by transferring long chain fatty acids into mitochondria where they are oxidised to produce energy.
L-carnitine is heart friendly and has been used for many years in the treatment of heart disease. Studies have shown that it can increase the heart’s output and function, stimulate energy supply to the heart and improve overall cardiac performance.
Many bodybuilders use it for the following reasons:
1. It promotes muscle growth.
2. It increases energy.
3. It helps to burn fat.
4. It helps to prevent muscle fatigue.
L-carnitine is a relatively safe supplement provided the manufacturer’s recommendations are followed. As with all supplements, remain aware that l-carnitine could be contained in other products so read the labels carefully to ensure your daily intake does not exceed four grams.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
Related posts:
- Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement – BCAA’s BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly being recognized as an important supplement in the field of sports nutrition. In short the term refers to three essential amino acids - leucine, isoleucine and valine. Amino acids are...
- Choosing The Right Bodybuilding Supplement Before wasting your money on a pile of bodybuilding supplements you really need to work out what you are hoping to achieve. Don't lose sight of the fact that sound nutrition forms the basis of any muscle building program and...
- Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement – L-Tyrosine L-tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that plays a role in the creation of protein. The body can make it from the amino acid phenylalanine but nutritional sources include animal meats, wheat, oatmeal and seafood. It performs a multitude of...
- Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement – HMB HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of leucine, one of the body's essential amino acids, with small amounts found naturally in catfish, grapefruit and alfalfa. It has become very popular amongst athletes in recent years mainly due...
- Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement – Methoxyisoflavone Flavones are the latest big supplement to hit the market. Methoxyisoflavone is a non-hormonal anabolic compound that has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, increase protein synthesis and improve recovery from exercise. During tests that led to the issuing of...
