Carnitine

L-Carnitine and Its Fat Burning Effect

During exercise, fat is used as an energy source, and carnitine plays a role in transporting fatty acids to be used as energy. When you consume carnitine, it increases the number of transporters, which allows fat to be burned more efficiently, which is why it's often called a "fat-burning amino acid."

However, the fat-burning effect of carnitine is contingent on exercise. If you don't exercise, consuming carnitine won't have much of an effect, as there is little energy being consumed.

The amount of carnitine found in energy drinks is considered to be very small. While it's unlikely that people drink high-calorie, high-sugar energy drinks in the hopes of burning fat, it’s worth noting.

Age and Carnitine Intake

In healthy individuals, the liver and kidneys generate the necessary carnitine from lysine and methionine, so there is no need to consciously consume carnitine through diet or supplements.

However, as we age, the concentration of carnitine in the body decreases, and this is thought to negatively impact the state of the mitochondrial membrane. In experiments with rats, when carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid were administered at high concentrations, they were able to prevent deterioration of the mitochondrial membrane, and the rats became more active with improved performance in memory tasks.

Though similar studies have not been conducted in humans, a study in which humans consumed 1.5–3.0 g of carnitine daily for 3 to 12 months found that carnitine intake may suppress the worsening of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, potentially improving mental function.

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