What is L-carnitine?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    L-carnitine is a compound produced in the body from lysine and methionine.[1][2] It is also found in food, primarily in meat products,[3][4] and can be taken as a supplement. L-carnitine can be acetylated to produce acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), which is similar to L-carnitine but crosses the blood-brain barrier more efficiently.[5] L-carnitine is best known for its role in helping to ”shuttle” long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria to produce energy.[6][1]

    References

    1. ^Reuter SE, Evans AMCarnitine and acylcarnitines: pharmacokinetic, pharmacological and clinical aspects.Clin Pharmacokinet.(2012-Sep-01)
    2. ^Pekala J, Patkowska-Sokoła B, Bodkowski R, Jamroz D, Nowakowski P, Lochyński S, Librowski TL-carnitine--metabolic functions and meaning in humans lifeCurr Drug Metab.(2011 Sep)
    3. ^Demarquoy J et al.Radioisotopic determination of l-carnitine content in foods commonly eaten in Western countries.Food Chemistry.(2004)
    4. ^Seline K-G et al.The determination of l-carnitine in several food samples.Food Chemistry.(2007)
    5. ^Rebouche CJKinetics, pharmacokinetics, and regulation of L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine metabolismAnn N Y Acad Sci.(2004 Nov)
    6. ^Indiveri C, Iacobazzi V, Tonazzi A, Giangregorio N, Infantino V, Convertini P, Console L, Palmieri FThe mitochondrial carnitine/acylcarnitine carrier: function, structure and physiopathology.Mol Aspects Med.(2011-Aug)