L-Carnitine ???

i think there is l-carnitine and acetyl-carntine which is a more refined version? and supposedly more effective albeit more expensive. it is meant to assist in the conversion of fat into energy, so when you work out you burn more fat from my understanding... i used it for a few months a while back and seemed to work, but may have been a combination of other things.

as with most supplements there is no absolute conclusive evidence it works, only people with opinions. mine is that i think it worked for me, so if you want to give it a shot go for it...

btw i think it is an animal derivative? beef perhaps?

hope that helps a little bit. i think there is a fair bit of information out there for it :-)

I'm taking L carnitine and I have to say I'm getting results. My aim is for weight loss as well, but basically I can see my body getting toner, and therefore less fat on my body. I got the blueberry blast flavour and mix it with water so it takes away cravings and as a plus side it slightly surpresses my appetite

There is no conclusive studies (that are not being funded by the manufacturers themselves) on (if any) benefits.

Some people swear by it, but its still debatable from a scientific point of view.




On the plus side, 30% of all treatment effects are due to the "placebo effect", meaning that if you think its working, then it is.

I personally wouldn't bother paying money for that and invest that into other things, but that's just me.

I take it daily but it was recommended to me by my physicians. I have a disorder that prohibits my body from metabolizing carbohydrates as well as several deficiencies such as protein, amino acids, vit D, B, calcium and iron. I do know since I have been taking it I am seeing weight loss again.

No conclusive studies, but i take it daily and i'm seeing awesome results. Placebo effect? who cares, it's working LOL

I second this! lol But the Science behind it also just makes sense to me in my head.

As i was talking to someone else about L-Carnitine, they mentioned that just like a high intake of protein, you must work out HARD to get the benefits of the increased protein. The same goes with L-Carnitine, in combination with exercises that
increase your heart rate well above, lets just pick a high number =P, say 150+, then in my opinion, with in conjunction with
EPOC (Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) being raised due to the high intensity exercise, you can definitely have the
benefits of L-Carnitine =]

This is just my opinion though.

This thread got me curious - L-carnitine (as a health supplement) is banned in Canada, still trying to find the reason why.....

I would be interested to know why Brian?

I am not in Canada and it seems to be easily available in lots of places here in Australia

I found one item on Health Canada's website related to the seizure of illegal supplements

"Side-effects associated with L-Carnitine include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and seizures"

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_84-eng.php

So far I haven't found anything else suggesting that it's dangerous but a number of credible sources questioning it's efficacy in respect to some of the claims made as a nutritional supplement (apparently it has proven benefits related to angina, ED in diabetics and some other specific health problems).

The best nutritional source is red meat (especially lamb!)

It helps move fatty acid chains into the mitochonria - translation - it puts your smaller molecules of fat from the cell into its power house where it gets turned into energy.

I'm not sure ingesting it helps and there's no research to prove either way. Not exactly sure oral intake of it guarantees blood uptake of it. Many things we eat are simply passed along or digested by our stomach acid.

The side effects corresponds with abnormal higher metabolic problems, such as too much adrenaline, etc.

What I do know is - 2 placebo pills can stop headaches better than 1 placebo pill. That's been proven. So people will believe it works and make it work, either with or without the actual supplement.

As someone else said there are two forms. When looking it up myself I found the Acetyl version to be mildly dangerous.
I have the other version.