There is much said about the influence and benefits of l-carnitine in weight loss and physical performance. We can appreciate the use and the promotion of this supplement in gyms and supplements stores. In some people this supplementation works but for other persons this doesn’t help in reducing body fat and weight loss. This article explains how the l-carnitine works and if it helps reduce body fat and play an important role in weight loss.

L-carnitine is an endogenous water soluble quaternary amine. It is synthesized in the human body and its involved in the energy production through fatty acid oxidation. Fatty acids are used by the mitochondria to generate ATP through beta oxidation transported by carnitine. A study made with rats showed that there was no significant body weight reduction, but it showed that L- Carnitine supplementation showed an improvement in glucose intolerance due to the increased oxidation of glucose in cells.

In a study realized on hemodialysis showed that a 1,000 mg of oral syrup of L- Carnitine for 12 weeks did not affect leptin and adiponectin levels or the body weight or body mass index. (S. Ahmadi, 2016). This study says that L- carnitine supplementation reduce high fructose diet induced insulin significantly by reducing serum leptin levels. This is another study that mention that the L-Carnitine supplementation has a greater effect in glucose intolerance than reducing body fat and body weight.

A study realized to patients with metabolic syndrome showed that intravenous L-Carnitine administration boosted the effects of modified fasting therapy on weight loss and alleviated metabolic abnormalities. It also relieved the sensation of hunger and fatigue during the modified fasting period. (Zhang, 2014). A hypocaloric diet was administered to the participant of this study. This study showed that intravenous L-carnitine supplementation is effective with the combination of hypo-caloric diet. (Nazari, 2016).

Another study made with obese rats showed that L-carnitine supplementation changed the micro RNA’s expression in adipose tissue, provoking a decrease in weight gain. This study suggests the supplementation to change or alter the way the miRNA is expressed. The way of how a gene expression is made can increase or decrease weight gain, and the L-carnitine supplementation can help decreasing the weight gaining.

In conclusion, the effectiveness in body fat loss and body weight loss using L-carnitine supplementation depends on how the genes are being expressed and the lifestyle of the person. Everybody is different and the way the genes are expressed are different in every person. The supplementation of L-carnitine can be effective in some people but it cannot be effective in others. Using the discussed articles as reference, the supplementation of L-carnitine alone, without physical activity and common diet, doesn’t helps in the reduction of body fat and in the reduction of body weight. The best way to use L-carnitine supplementation is via intravenous. Intravenous supplementation combined with hypo-caloric diet and physical activity is the best way to reduce body fat and body weight.

References:

S. Jain. 2014. Effect of L-carnitine Supplementation on Nutritional Status and Physical Performance Under Calorie Restriction. Association of Clinical Biochemist of India.
S. Ahmadi. 2016. Effects of Oral L-Carnitine Supplementation on Leptin and Adiponectin Levels and Body Weight of Hemodialysis Patients. Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases. Vol. 10
J. Zhang. 2014. L-carnitine ameliorated fasting-induced fatigue, hunger, and metabolic abnormalities in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled study. Nutrition Journal.
M. Nazari. 2016. Influence of L-carnitine on the Expression Level of Adipose Tissue miRNAs Related to Weight Changes in Obese Rats. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences