It’s not entirely clear how L-carnitine works. In tissues like muscle, L-carnitine is known to help “shuttle” long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria to produce energy.[1][2] Further evidence suggests that it may exert some of its potential beneficial effects by boosting antioxidant capacity, protecting cellular membranes from oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and increasing nitric oxide levels.[3][4][2][1] Therefore, L-carnitine may work via several mechanisms, and further research is needed for a full understanding.
How does L-carnitine work?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
L-Carnitine helps transport long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production and may also enhance antioxidant capacity, protect cellular membranes from oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and increase nitric oxide levels. However, the exact mechanisms by which L-carnitine works are not fully understood and require further research.