Top Pick
- Fast-acting formula.
- One gram of l-carnitine per serving.
- Post-training recovery.
Carnitine is a supplement rapidly growing in popularity. For the person who wants to achieve impressive training results, the best l-carnitine supplements can elevate endurance, drop fat, and improve recovery times.
This article brings you the lowdown on this supplement, together with the top four products on the market.
The Four Best L-Carnitine Supplements for Weight Loss
Here are my picks of the best l-carnitine supplements to both enhance overall wellbeing and improve fitness and training results.
1. L-Carnitine by Arazo Nutrition
Being supplied in pill form, this could be the best l-carnitine supplement for people who don’t want the hassle of mixing their own powder drinks but prefer the convenience of knocking back tablets.
Formulated with l-carnitine tartrate, this may prove ideal for those who suffer from muscle soreness or DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness) and want the fastest absorbing l-carnitine form known.
Made in the USA, this product has been tested by third parties to ensure potency and safety.
- Serving Facts
- Calcium 330 mg.
- L-carnitine tartrate 1000 mg (two tablets per serving).
- Pros
- Fast-acting formula makes it ideal for athletes.
- L-carnitine tartrate is proven to alleviate muscle soreness and improve post-training recovery.
- One gram of l-carnitine per serving.
- Made in the USA.
- Respected manufacturer.
- Affordably priced.
- Cons
- The size of the tablets could be problematic for those who have difficulty swallowing pills.
2. Acetyl L-Carnitine by Bulk Supplements
Possibly one of the best l-carnitineproducts for those looking for improved focus and concentration, due to its inclusion of the brain-boosting acetyl l-carnitine form.
Coming from Bulk Supplements, one of the best-known players in the sports supplement market, this product is free from soy, gluten, yeast, and sugar. This could be perfect for people who want nothing but the purest l-carnitine available.
Delivering a total of 1.5 grams of acetyl l-carnitine per serving (in drink powdered form), it’s one of the most potent on this list.
- Serving Facts
- Acetyl l-carnitine 1.5g (three 500 mg scoops)—that’s it, clean and pure.
- Pros
- No additives or unnecessary ingredients.
- In powdered form—ideal for people who dislike swallowing tablets or those who enjoy a supplement drink.
- Includes the brain-powering acetyl l-carnitine.
- Lab tested for purity.
- Comes from a major player in the supplement market.
- Container size of 250 grams—enough for over five months’ use.
- Cons
- Lacks the fast-acting properties of the tartrate form.
3. Acetyl L-Carnitine by Divine Bounty
Another supplement containing the cognitive booster acetyl-l-carnitine. Supplied in pill form, this could work as an alternative to those who want the benefits of the Bulk Supplements version yet wish to swallow tablets instead of mixing up a drink.
Free of fish, eggs, milk, and animal by-products, this could be a suitable solution if you’re following a vegetarian diet and require additional carnitine to boost your health.
Made in the USA, this carnitine supplement is GMO and gluten-free (although the ingredients have been sourced from worldwide origins).
- Serving Facts
- Acetyl-l-carnitine 1200 mg (2 capsules per serving).
- Pros
- Made in the USA.
- Suitable for vegetarians and coeliacs.
- More than one gram (1.2 grams) of carnitine.
- Includes 120 capsules (two months’ supply).
- Cons
- Lacks the strength of the Bulk Supplements powder version.
4. RSP AminoLean by RSP Nutrition
If you’re someone who wants a little more than just carnitine but doesn’t wish to have the issue of consuming numerous products—this supplement could appeal.
Designed as a pre-workout formula, it includes the fast-acting and muscle-relieving l-carnitine tartrate. Additionally, it includes ingredients which are designed to elevate energy levels, boost weight loss, and enhance muscle protein synthesis.
The total serving of all ingredients amounts to 7.8 grams, meaning it has to be supplied in powder form—that’s too much to be included in a pill.
- Serving Facts
- 13 amino acids (5 grams).
- L-carnitine tartrate, CLA, green coffee, and green tea (1.5 grams total)—to promote weight loss.
- Theobromine and caffeine as energy-boosting stimulants (130 mg).
- Pros
- A useful supplement for people who want more than just carnitine in one product.
- Over two months’ supply.
- Cons
- The carnitine ingredient is listed as part of a proprietary blend, so the exact dosage is unclear.
Informational guide to L-Carnitine Supplements
What Is L-Carnitine?
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first.
Carnitine is a derivative of amino acids. It occurs both naturally within the body (formed from l-methionine and l-lysine) and can also be ingested through food products such as fish or meat.
L-carnitine is the most common form and is found in all the best carnitine supplements.
Additionally, this compound can be found as:
- L-carnitine l-tartrate—sometimes included in nutritional products as it can be absorbed quickly by the body and promotes fast muscle recovery after exercise.
- Acetyl-l-carnitine—it can pass the brain barrier and improve the symptoms of brain disease.
- D-carnitine—a form of carnitine which is inactive, although lack of this type can prevent the useful forms from being absorbed.
- Glycine propionyl-l-carnitine—can boost nitric oxide levels, improving blood flow and providing muscle “pumps.”
What Does L-Carnitine Do in the Body?
Essentially, carnitine works on the mitochondria—the fuel in human body cells. Most importantly, it enables the body’s stores of fatty acids to be transported to the cells, where they’re burnt for energy.
This is why the majority of carnitine is located within the muscles themselves, enabling them to function—whether that’s fulfilling normal daily activities or working out at the gym.
If you’d like some more in-depth information on the workings of mitochondria and carnitine (including l-carnitine supplements) —here’s a useful video.
Why Supplement With L-Carnitine?
Firstly, consuming additional carnitine is important for vegans and vegetarians. As already mentioned, meat and fish are the primary food sources of this compound—hence abstaining from them can create a deficiency.
However, even if you do eat meat, consuming the best l-carnitine supplements and boosting your body’s reserves can have positive effects both on overall wellbeing and improving your training results.
These benefits include:
- Weight loss—as carnitine fuels the burning of fatty acids it can help you to lose weight; a 2016 study indicated that supplementing with carnitine helped to drop 2.9 pounds of body weight.
- Enhanced brain function—the best l-carnitine supplements can prevent mental decline as we age.
- Reduced chance of cardiovascular disease.
- Improved recovery time and lower muscle soreness post-training.
- Elevated muscle oxygenation—boosting muscle growth, creating pumps, and raising endurance.
- Reduced symptoms of diabetes.
- Heightened fertility—can raise the production of sperm.
Best Time to Take L-Carnitine Supplements
While l-carnitine supplements can be taken at any time of the day, many serious gym-enthusiasts suggest that it’s most effective when taken post-training—believing that it’s more efficient at alleviating muscle soreness.
However, at whatever time you take this supplement, always consume with at least a little food. Some users report that when taken on an empty stomach it can cause diarrhea.
Additionally, consuming too much in one serving can also create this issue—so it may be best to spread intake throughout the day.
While many studies have been completed using different doses of l-carnitine supplements, as a rule of thumb, look for one that delivers 1000 mg or more per day for effective results.
Side Effects of L-Carnitine Supplements
Taking l-carnitine supplements is safe.
Studies have indicated that even consuming three grams of this compound per day provides no adverse effects—and it’s unusual to find any nutritional product that includes that much carnitine.
That being said, even when taking the best l-carnitine supplements on the market, some users have experienced unwanted reactions. After all, everyone reacts differently to anything that’s ingested. These include:
- Nausea.
- Discomfort in the stomach.
- One study indicated carnitine use may cause heart disease—although many more indicated that it actually prevented cardiovascular problems.
What to Look for in the Best L-Carnitine Supplements
While carnitine supplements may initially appear similar, there are some important factors to take into account when selecting the ideal product for you.
Here’s what you should consider:
Pill or Powder
Carnitine is an unusual supplement in that it’s often found in both tablet and powder drink varieties.
More than anything, the one to choose is down to personal preference. The pills can be large, so may be unsuitable for some, while other people don’t enjoy the thick texture of powdered supplements.
The Carnitine Supplement Form
As mentioned above, l-carnitine supplements can come in different types—ensure that you select the correct form for your requirements.
For example, l-carnitine tartrate would suit people looking for improved recovery times and fast-acting efficacy, while acetyl-l-carnitine is more suited to those wanting to increase mental focus and improve cognition.
The Dosage and Price
Always check the overall daily dosage included in the supplement and compare with the price to ensure you receive value for money.
Look for a supplement that delivers one gram or more per day of carnitine, and balance this with the cost.
Conclusion
Make no mistake, all the above supplements are excellent carnitine providers. But, in my opinion, the best l-carnitine supplement of all is from Arazo Nutrition.
My reasons behind this decision?
It’s loaded with 1000 mg of the most potent and fast-acting forms of all carnitine— l-carnitine tartrate. This makes it a great choice for the serious gym-junkie—those looking for rapid results and wanting to alleviate muscle pain so they can hit the training again as soon as possible.
With over two months’ supply, combined with an affordable price, this isn’t a product that will hurt the wallet.
Naturally, if you prefer l-carnitine supplements in a powder drink, or wish to concentrate more on brain-focus rather than fitness, one of the other products may be more suitable.
But, for overall fitness and training performance, I believe the best l-carnitine supplement is Arazo Nutrition’s l-carnitine.
