Encourages the body to use fat as fuel

Helps support mitochondrial health

Supports a boost in energy levels

May contribute to heart health improvement

Carnitine has been studied extensively because it is important to energy production and is a well-tolerated and generally safe therapeutic agent. Researchers prefer to study acetyl-L-carnitine because it is better absorbed in the small intestine than other forms, and more efficiently crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Carnitine is found in almost every last cell in your body and it plays a critical role in energy production by transporting fatty acids to mitochondria, where they’re converted to energy. Carnitine also plays a role in helping remove toxins from cells.

You mainly find dietary carnitine in meat, fish, poultry and dairy, especially red meat. For vegetarians and those who avoid red meat, along with those genetically predisposed to not using certain fats for energy, it can be easy to grow deficient in carnitine. There are also preexisting health conditions that can create cause it as well:

Liver disease

Kidney disease, especially with dialysis

Digestive disease that causes poor absorption

Malnutrition

Mitochondrial disease

Certain metabolic disorders

Certain medicines, such as valproate

Ultimately, a deficiency leads to a condition where nutrients can’t reach your body’s cells, causing weakness and potentially heart and living problems.

Signs of a Carnitine Deficiency:

Decreased or floppy muscle tone or muscle weakness

Tiredness/Fatigue

Irritability

Inability to lose body fat