In the mid-2000s, L-carnitine gained popularity among athletes as a mild and effective means for weight loss.

Almost immediately, the demand for this supplement was picked up by people who were very far from fitness. Someone has achieved impressive results, but someone's dream of losing weight with the help of a magic pill has remained a dream.

Why does this happen and how to properly take L-carnitine in liquid or solid form for weight loss?

L-carnitine (outdated names ㅡ levocarnitine, vitamin Bt) ㅡ a general tonic that is prescribed for exhaustion, heart failure, and decreased performance. There are a number of pleasant bonuses for a person losing weight:

• improvement of well-being against the background of diet;
• increasing endurance both during aerobic (running, walking) and anaerobic (weightlifting, powerlifting) loads;
• increased fat utilization by muscles simultaneously with a slight anabolic effect;
• expressed anti-catabolic effect;
• prevention of sore throat after training.

L-carnitine is found on the market in the form of a drink, capsules and tablets. An injection solution is also used in medicine.

The human body is capable of synthesizing small amounts of L-carnitine itself. Often this process is disrupted with the onset of old age, due to nervous tension or a strict diet.

During training, the need for carnitine increases sharply, and endogenous (own) carnitine is no longer able to cover it.

Instructions for use of L-carnitine for fitness professionals

A short preamble is needed here. For that, so that fatty acids released during diet and exercise can “burn” in muscle tissue, they need to penetrate the membrane of the mitochondria - a cellular organelle with the functions of an energy station.

This is possible only in the presence of special conductor molecules. L-carnitine plays the role of such a conductor.

When there is a shortage The released fatty acids, circulating in the blood, are converted back into subcutaneous fat without releasing energy.

After meals energy is drawn directly from blood glucose. In this case, part of the glucose is stored in the liver and muscles in the form of animal starch glycogen. These reserves (total 120ㅡ150 g) are consumed only when blood sugar declines and the body’s physical activity remains.

Only if the amount of glycogen is approaching zero and no new food is being supplied, ㅡ fat is included in the consumption. Because a decent amount of energy is spent to support vital functions during sleep, fat is most actively consumed in the morning on an empty stomach.

When exercising not on an empty stomach, the “turn” of fat reserves comes in about 40 minutes. intensive work.

It means that Carnitine is most effective if taken immediately before cardio training in the morning on an empty stomach.. In liquid form, carnitine is absorbed almost instantly, but in capsules and tablets it is better to take the supplement within 15-20 minutes. before load.

Bioavailability is quite low, so the recommended dosage of L-carnitine for weight loss ㅡ not less than 1500 mg.

It makes sense to take carnitine on days of strength training, first of all, as an anti-catabolic. Considering that a sufficient supply of glycogen will remain in the muscles during the first 40 minutes, the optimal time of administration is mid-workout or before the final 20-minute cardio session.

Almost any food reduces the absorption of carnitine, so It's better to take it separately. Although carnitine combines well with tea, coffee, vitamin supplements, as well as BCAA and thermogenics.

How to drink without exercising?

We have already found out that carnitine does not increase energy consumption, but only accelerates its production from mobilized fats.

It is necessary to understand that “fuel” from fat depots ㅡ this is a strategic emergency reserve, which is always used last.

It will not be possible to activate it without physical activity.

If you don’t have enough time to train, you should take carnitine as described above, but replacing the training with any available physical work or walking. Since such loads are much lower in intensity, it is especially worth considering the nutrition factor. Certain intervals between food, carnitine intake and physical activity will help you get the most out of this supplement.

So we have two options for losing weight with carnitine without training.

Firstㅡ in the morning on an empty stomach you need to drink a portion of a weight loss drink with a dosage of 1500 mg of L-carnitine (or the equivalent in tablet form) and then go for a walk.

Optimal walking duration ㅡ 1 hour. Another 1.5 hours after this load, free fatty acids circulate in the blood. If you eat food at this time, they will return back to fat depots.

Second optionㅡafter any meal, you maintain an interval of 1.5ㅡ2 hours (about how long it will take for absorption), and then devote 40 minutes to physical activity. Take a dose of L-carnitine for weight loss and go for a walk.

You can increase the time of the same walk by 40 minutes, then you will have to take a break to take a supplement. After a walk, try not to eat for 1.5 hours.

In this way, you can increase the rate of weight loss and protect muscles from destruction.

Until now, we have ignored another significant source of “fuel” for the body ㅡ amino acids of muscle tissue.

Muscle catabolism (breakdown) always accompanies fat loss, and often the ratio of muscle loss to fat mass reaches 1:1. Not only muscle tissue protein is destroyed, but also collagen and elastin that support the skin. It means that Carnitine will help prevent unsightly sagging skin as a result of weight loss.

Is there any harm from taking it?

The body itself regulates the amount of carnitine in the blood plasma, so its excess without any problems excreted in urine.

As we have already found out ㅡ daily dosage should be at least 1500 mg, while its increase will not lead to a significant increase in efficiency, as well as side effects.

Sometimes dyspeptic disorders are observed while taking carnitine.ㅡ they are most often caused by a high content of ascorbic or citric acid in the liquid form of the drug.

The most convincing evidence of the safety of carnitine is its widespread use in the practice of pediatricians. However, a 2013 study on mice showed the ability of L-carnitine to be converted by intestinal microflora into TMAO, a substance that provokes cardiovascular disease in rodents.

Apparently, this risk does not apply to humans. At least the likelihood of this does not outweigh the potential benefits of carnitine.

Another nuance: long-term (more than 2 months) use of L-carnitine leads to withdrawal syndrome - a decrease in the body’s independent synthesis of carnitine. So The optimal duration of treatment is ㅡ 1ㅡ 1.5 months.

Let's summarize how to take L-carnitine for weight loss and how it works with this video:

According to the principle of action, L-carnitine is fundamentally different from stimulating sports supplements. Thanks to this, it is safe, but practically useless for a passive lifestyle. Research and practice confirm: the supplement works only “in duet” with muscles. For them ㅡ no.

Levocarnitine (L-carnitine) is one of the most famous and harmless sports nutrition supplements for weight loss. It is used both during cutting and when gaining weight, in the fight against excess subcutaneous fat to obtain additional energy in bodybuilding. In this article we will look in detail at how to take L-carnitine correctly, as well as what forms, in combination with sports nutrition supplements and diet, will ensure effective weight loss.

pharmachologic effect

The natural substance l-carnitine, related to B vitamins, is synthesized in the body and is found in muscles and liver. Levocarnitine is responsible for the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria and promotes the formation of ATP - that is, energy. With additional intake of the supplement, the breakdown of fatty acids is accelerated to produce energy, both during exercise and for the functioning of the body.

Indications

In sports, they drink the drug to combat excess weight and to obtain additional energy. In medicine it is used for L-carnitine deficiency in the body of adults and children, for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system and gastroenterology, for high acidity and gastritis.

Side effects and contraindications

Although the substance is not harmful, since it is synthesized by the body independently, exceeding the daily norm and a long course can impair kidney function; a sign of a side effect of the drug will be a feeling of inflammation in the kidney area. You should stop taking the supplement immediately.

Individual intolerance to the drug, which is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, increased blood pressure, a strong smell of urine, and convulsions, cannot be ruled out. If you have symptoms of individual intolerance, you should stop taking L-carnitine.

Important! Do not exceed the daily dosage of the drug. Do not consume expired or spoiled product.

How to take L-carnitine correctly for weight loss?

Each manufacturer uses different forms of L-carnitine and adds different additives, so the instructions for use will be slightly different. On the packaging you can find recommendations for taking from 1 to 3 g of the substance per day.

To ensure that the drug is effective for fat burning, look at the content of pure L-carnitine in the supplement, and do not exceed 2 g (2000 mg) of pure substance per day.

There are several forms of release of the substance - in capsules, tablets, powder and liquid form. Powder and liquid forms (optional) must be diluted in water, it is best to do this before use; do not store the prepared solution for more than 2 hours.

Number and methods of receptions

On training days :

1. The most effective way to use the supplement is to take 2 g of L-carnitine 30-40 minutes before strength or cardio training. During exercise, a large concentration of the substance in the body is required. It is best to take elcarnitine for weight loss before exercise, since it takes 40 minutes for the onset of action, and taking it during and after training will not be justified due to the late “ignition”, when energy is no longer so necessary. Aerobic exercise results in a greater intake of fatty acids, which means more fat is burned. Before anaerobic exercise, 2 g of the drug is also consumed, which will ensure the production of ATP, which is necessary to maintain energy during strength training. In both cases, it must be taken before training. The substance will continue to act after exercise for 2-3 hours, and will be completely eliminated from the body after 4 hours.
2. With two workouts a day, the daily norm is divided into two servings (1 g each), and taken 30-40 minutes before exercise.

Rest days

To improve fat burning on non-training days and prevent the absorption of fats from food, you need to drink 1 g twice a day. The first dose of L-carnitine is in the morning after meals (acetate is best taken before meals), the second dose is at lunch or before bed. At night, it continues its action by transporting fatty acids, so the body consumes fats rather than glycogen and muscle protein during sleep. In this case, it not only helps to reduce weight, but also prevents catabolism (muscle breakdown).

The course of admission should not exceed 2 months, the optimal course would be 1-1.5 months, after which 2-4 weeks of rest should be taken. If the results are unsatisfactory, take a rest for 2 weeks, after which you can add fat burners to the L-carnitine course. Dosage cycles are necessary so that the body does not get used to the substance, otherwise taking the drug will not give any results.

Combination with other drugs

L-carnitine goes well with other safe supplements, such as: BCAA, Omega-3, with protein; these nutritional supplements serve as excellent fat-burning enhancers.

Omega-3s have a unique molecular chain that is capable of attaching free fatty acids; together, both drugs accelerate the elimination of fats.

Protein and essential amino acids will improve muscle nutrition during exercise, enrich the daily diet, and prevent the destruction of muscle protein.

L-cartinine can and should (if you want to speed up the weight loss process) be taken together with fat burners, such as lipotropics and thermogenics.

It is important to take into account the action and side effects of fat burners, so that together the drugs provide a safe, synergistic effect of burning subcutaneous fat.

The drugs can be taken together - morning and afternoon. For example, start taking a fat burner in the morning (once a day) with 1 g of L-carnitine after meals. The second serving is taken at lunch or before training. Gradually add a second dose of the fat burner at lunchtime (after a meal) or before training (with 1 g of L-carnitine). Do not exceed the daily dosage of the fat burner, do not take the drug in the evening, even if you train late. Otherwise, you can cause insomnia, irritability, and arrhythmia.

L-carnitine is also combined with other substances synthesized by the body, including creatine. But this supplement works well for bulking purposes because creatine is able to retain fluid in the muscles, which gives them more strength to lift heavy weights. Creatine allows you to gain muscle and accumulate fluid, so it is not advisable to take it while losing weight. During the period of mass gain, a mixture of L-carnitine, creatine, gainer, and sometimes a pre-workout complex will allow you to quickly gain body weight, while the cocktail will provide energy during training and prevent the catabolic effect.

How to Take Different Forms of the Supplement

Pure 100% L-Carnitine

Pure concentrate in powder, which does not contain any additional impurities or flavoring additives, is excellent for a low-carb diet.

Only 2 g of powder is needed per day, which is diluted in water or juice (can be used during anaerobic exercise to obtain more energy from carbohydrates). For weight loss, it is better to dilute the pure form in 200 ml of water and take it an hour before training. It starts working in about 40 minutes and the effect lasts for 3 hours. If necessary, the daily dose can be divided into two doses (morning, afternoon or evening) of 1 gram each.

Liquid

You should not choose this particular form if you want to lose weight.

There are a number of reasons for this, firstly, this form of concentrate contains carbohydrates (sugar), during the period of fat burning it is necessary to significantly reduce simple carbohydrates, and you should not take them additionally from sports supplements.

This form is taken ready-made (one measuring cap) or mixed with a small amount of water. Typically, 1 serving of this form contains 1000 - 1500 mg of L-carnitine; you may need 2 such servings per day, which can be taken before training, or in the morning and at lunch.

The liquid form should also not be taken at night, since the simple carbohydrates in the composition will turn into fat, and this strongly contradicts the properties of L-carnitine, which is supposed to fight fat. Also, do not dilute the substance with anti-obesity drugs (for example, reduxin), which are only available with a doctor's prescription.

Liquid concentrated L-carnitine is more suitable for strength training, since the carbohydrates in the composition will add additional energy, and the body will burn carbohydrates rather than fats. Therefore, this form is more suitable as an energy drink than as a weight loss accelerator.

In capsules

The capsule form of L-carnitine is also pure, without additives, impurities, or sweeteners. The capsule usually contains 500 mg of L-carnitine, 4 of which are required per day. Before training, the daily dose is taken once within 30-40 minutes. On rest days, the supplement is taken 2 capsules 2 times a day after meals (the first dose in the morning, the second at lunch or at night). Capsules are washed down with a glass of water.

Powder

The powdery (crystalline white) substance is diluted with water or, if desired, juice. Manufacturers add vitamins, additional fat burners (guarana, ephedrine, caffeine), and taste enhancers to this form. One serving is equal to one scoop provided by the manufacturer. Athletes need to dilute a portion (no more than 2 g of L-carnitine) in 250-300 ml of water, take 40 minutes before training.

In tablets

This form of L-carnitine is found in pharmacies, its disadvantage is the small dosage of the substance in one tablet, so the pharmacy form is not as profitable and convenient to take, unlike sports nutrition supplements. The drug is taken according to the instructions, not exceeding the daily dose. It is also taken once before training 30-40 minutes, or on rest days (the daily dose is divided into two doses). The drug is taken with water.

In ampoules

This is a form of highly concentrated liquid L-carnitine, ready to use. If desired, the ampoule can be diluted in a glass of water. Take one ampoule 40 minutes before training. Different manufacturers have very different ampoules in composition and dosage. For one company, one ampoule can contain from 1000 mg, for another – up to 3000 mg of the substance. You can also find pure forms, or with the addition of carbohydrates (fructose, lactic acid). For weight loss, you should choose a form without carbohydrates, with a dosage of 2000 mg of the substance in one ampoule.

L-carnitine tartrate

This is a non-ester form of l-carnitine and tartaric acid, is quickly absorbed in the body, unlike L-carnitine, it is retained in the blood longer. The form is often found in many sports nutrition manufacturers. It is better to take this group for weight loss in capsules or in pure (100%) powder, as usual, without exceeding the dosage of 2 g per day.

Acetyl

The ether form of L-carnitine with the addition of an acetyl group. This form is absorbed faster compared to L-carnitine, but is also excreted much faster. It is also often used in sports nutrition, since L-carnitine, after taking this form, does not stay in the blood for a long time, it is better to prefer the non-ester form (L-carnitine, L-carnitine tartrate).

Propionyl

An ether group with the addition of a propionyl group. Like acetyl, this group is quickly absorbed, and the effect of the ester is not prolonged. The shape is not often used by manufacturers.

Fumarate

Contains a fumaric group, which improves the absorption of L-carnitine and has antioxidant properties.

Conclusion: Which form is better?

For weight loss, you should choose non-ester groups (pure or tartrate), they are absorbed in the body much better than essential ones, and the carnitine content in the blood after taking these supplements is much higher.

You should choose capsule or pure (100%) powder forms. Either form of carnitine works much better when taken in a daily dose 40 minutes before exercise, but they work differently.

The highest concentration of the substance in the blood is precisely after taking pure L-carnitine; its pharmacological effect is much higher compared to other groups, and is most preferable for weight loss. The main thing is not to exceed the dosage of 2000 g per day.

How to take it for girls

The substance acts equally in the male and female body, and the dosages are also the same for everyone. There is no difference in reception. It is important to adhere to the daily norm, take the substance on time and balance the diet by reducing the amount of fat in the diet.

Conclusion: for weight loss, you should choose non-ester groups (L-carnitine and L-carnitine tartrate), they are absorbed in the body much better than essential ones, and the carnitine content in the blood after taking these supplements is much higher. You should choose these forms in capsules or as pure (100%) L-carnitine powder.

What results should I expect?

L-carnitine itself is not capable of burning fat; it is a transporter of fatty acids to produce energy, which is necessary for productive training aimed at burning fat.

The benefit of the substance is that it accelerates energy production by 50%, the body immediately “takes” fats, instead of consuming glycogen. During the first 20 minutes from the start of training, muscles burn glycogen (carbohydrate), only then they begin to burn fats as fuel. With L-carnitine taken before training (from the moment the substance begins to act), the process of using fat begins immediately. This means that the supplement accelerates the fat burning process twice as fast.

L-carnitine works much more effectively with fat burners and a high-protein diet. An integrated approach - supplements, nutrition and training - can lead to a loss of 3-5 kg ​​per month.

1. Balance your diet

The diet should contain a minimum of fats (10-20%), proteins (50-60%), carbohydrates (30-40%). The balance of nutrients will eliminate the possibility of gaining excess fat, reducing carbohydrates (excluding simple sugars) will provide an energy deficit, and this will speed up the process of using fats for the body’s energy needs. You should not take L-carnitine with fatty foods, including animal fats; consume only unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3, 6, 9).

2. Enlarge cardio loads

Aerobic exercise will allow you to use fats faster with the intake of L-carnitine for fuel. In addition to strength training, add 3-4 cardio sessions per week. You can also combine cardio and strength training on the same day. In this case, take one serving of L-carnitine (1 g) before cardio 30-40 minutes, the second before strength training. The average duration of cardio training should be 40-45 minutes of intense exercise.

Another effective way to burn fat with L-carnitine is to perform two cardio workouts a day for 30-40 minutes. Before your first morning workout, take 1 g of L-carnitine 40 minutes before doing cardio on an empty stomach, this will speed up and increase the amount of fat burning. The second workout is performed before bed, in the evening. Take 1 g of the substance 40 minutes before the second cardio, do not eat after exercise. It is allowed to take a serving of BCAAs to prevent muscle burning. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

3. Do circuit and interval training

When training for endurance, you can burn fat faster, because when training with a high number of repetitions without rest, much more energy is needed, which will be used from fat depots. You need to consume L-carnitine according to the usual regimen - 2 g of the substance 40 minutes before training.

Carnitine content per 100 g in natural products

Of course, it is impossible to replenish the L-carnitine content from natural products for fat burning. Rather, the products will promote weight loss due to their high protein content and, most importantly, the absence of carbohydrates.

Table of foods high in elcarnitine

Remember that L-carnitine is not a “miracle” pill that will help you lose weight without much effort. The substance is only an assistant for obtaining energy during intense exercise, which plays an important role in fat burning along with proper nutrition.

Adding Elkar to standard therapy:

Reduces early mortality in AMI

Reduces the volume of myocardial damage in AMI

Improves LV contractile function in patients with ACS

Has an antiarrhythmic effect in ACS

​L-carnitine in medical practice: proven effects

Published in: Consilium Medicum. Neurology and rheumatology. (App.) 2012; 1:83-86

A.L.Vertkin.

The modern science of vitamins and vitamin-like substances - vitaminology - has achieved significant success in recent years in deciphering the mechanism of their action, which has served as the basis for more competent use of such drugs. The development of vitaminology began in the 1930s and 40s at the intersection of chemistry, biochemistry, medicine and physiology. Scientists of the former USSR, in particular academicians A.V. Palladin and R.V. Chagovets, made a great contribution to this. With their research, Academician R.V. Chagovets and his collaborators have proven that vitamins can indeed cure many diseases, delay old age, overcome infirmity and prolong life. Scientists have substantiated the position that the effect of vitamins and vitamin-like substances is dose-dependent, which is currently of great practical importance for the clinical use of this group of compounds, including L-carnitine and its derivatives (see figure).

Discovery of L-Carnitine
L-carnitine was first isolated in 1905 by V.S. Gulevich and R. Krimberg from an extract of muscle tissue. In 1927, its structure was established using chemical synthesis. More than 100 years have passed since the discovery of L-carnitine, and during this time a huge amount of factual material has been accumulated about its distribution in nature, biological functions, and application in medicine.

In 1952, A. Frenkel experimentally established that L-carnitine is an essential growth factor for the mealworm Tenebriomolitor, and therefore it was called vitamin B. Later it was found that L-carnitine is also synthesized in the body of humans and higher animals. I. Fritz in 1958 determined that L-carnitine increases the rate of fat oxidation in mitochondria. This work laid the foundation for studying its fundamental role in fat oxidation. In the 1960-1970s, a significant number of works appeared on the study of the functional role of L-carnitine. In the 1980s, L-carnitine became commercially available. From this year to the present, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of scientific publications studying the role of L-carnitine in metabolism. These studies reveal the possibilities of its use to maintain the normal functioning of the human body, treat various diseases and improve the quality of life.

Properties
So, to this day, L-carnitine is used in various fields of medicine and is a substance necessary for the life of the body. It normalizes metabolic processes, stimulates cellular energy exchange, eliminates energy deficiency, increases the body's adaptive capabilities, strengthens the immune system, relieves fatigue and overwork, and reduces muscle weakness. All this was the key point of its application in cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology and other related fields of medicine.

L-carnitine in cardiology
One of the most interesting studies on the use of L-carnitine in medical practice was conducted at the Department of Cardiology, Thoracic and Vascular Research of the University of Padua by a group of researchers G. Tarantini et al. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine therapy on mortality and the incidence of heart failure in patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study performed in patients with anterior AMI. The study included 2330 patients. Placebo or L-carnitine was administered intravenously at a dose of 9 g per day for the first 5 days, and then orally at a dose of 4 g per day. The primary composite endpoint was the incidence of heart failure or death within 6 months. The secondary endpoint was mortality within 5 days.

During 6 months of follow-up, the incidence of the primary endpoint in the L-carnitine and placebo groups was not significantly different (9.2% vs. 10.5%, respectively; p = 0.27). Among patients taking L-carnitine, there was a significant reduction in the risk of mortality by 39% within 5 days from the moment the patient was admitted to the cardiology department.

In a study, L-carnitine therapy resulted in decreased mortality rates in patients with anterior AMI. However, despite existing advances in medical and interventional therapy, mortality rates in patients with AMI remained high. This was due not only to the organizational aspects of ensuring a minimum interval from the onset of transmural ischemia to revascularization, but also to the negative effects of myocardial reperfusion injury. Reperfusion injury, to one degree or another, weakens the positive effect of restoring blood flow in the ischemic myocardium.

A previous study was conducted on the effect of taking L-carnitine on the recovery of the left ventricle (LV) after AMI, S.Iliceto et al. This study was conducted to determine the effect of L-carnitine on LV expansion in patients with anterior AMI.

The main research method is digital echocardiography of MI. The study was conducted double-blind with placebo control and randomly dividing patients into subgroups. 472 patients took part in it. The subjects were divided into 2 subgroups that received placebo or L-carnitine within 24 hours after the onset of chest pain. Placebo or L-carnitine was administered at a dose of 9 g/day intravenously for the first 5 days, and then orally at a dose of 6 g/day for 12 months. LV volume and ejection volume were measured in patients at hospital discharge and at 3, 6, and 12 months after MI.

A comparison was made of the relative increase in LV cardiac volume in 2 groups of patients. At the same time, the percentage of cases of increased end-systolic and diastolic volumes in the group of patients taking L-carnitine was significantly lower. No significant changes in ejection fraction were shown for any of the groups. In addition, it can be noted that the percentage of mortality and development of heart failure was 14 (6%) for the group taking L-carnitine and 23 (9.6%) for the group taking placebo (p=NS). The percentage of cases of coronary heart disease in the 2 groups was the same.

Taking L-carnitine has a significant restorative effect on the function and structure of the LV during the 1st year after anterior AMI. The restorative effect is expressed in the fact that the volume of the left ventricle does not increase significantly, i.e. we can talk about the prevention of aneurysm after AMI. Thus, the increase in LV volume during the 1st year after AMI is compensated by taking L-carnitine during this period.

Based on two studies, the main points can be highlighted: in AMI, there is a rapid increase in plasma levels of free fatty acids, which has a toxic effect on the ischemic myocardium and leads to increased membrane damage, cellular edema, microvascular compression, arrhythmias, metabolic failure and progressive impairment of myocardial function . Carnitine is the main factor regulating the metabolism of fatty acids in mitochondria. Against the background of persistent myocardial ischemia, rapid depletion of carnitine reserves is observed. The beneficial mechanical effect when prescribing carnitine is due to the limitation of the size of the infarct zone, faster recovery of myocardial function in the post-ischemic period and a decrease in the severity of LV remodeling after AMI.

L-carnitine in neurology
L-carnitine has also been successfully used in neurological patients, as can be judged by the study “Assessment of the safety and effectiveness of the drug Elcar® in patients in the acute period of ischemic stroke in the carotid system,” conducted at the Research Institute of Cerebrovascular Pathology and Stroke and the Russian National Research Medical University by a group of researchers (M. K. Bodykhov, L.V. Stakhovskaya et al.). The purpose of this study was to study the effectiveness and safety of the use of the drug Elkar ® in patients in the acute period of ischemic stroke. An open, parallel, prospective, comparative, controlled, randomized study was conducted. 48 patients with strokes were examined. The patients were divided into 3 groups: control group - 10 people, group 1 - 15 patients who received Elkar ® at a dose of 1 g / day, group 2 - 15 patients who received Elkar ® 3 g / day. Patients took the drug both orally and intravenously.

For patients of group 1, Elkar ® was administered intravenously 2 times a day at a dose of 500 mg (5 ml of 10% solution) for 10 days. Then, for 10 days, patients took Elkar ® orally, 1 teaspoon of a 20% solution 2 times a day.

Patients of the 2nd group received Elkar ® intravenously 2 times a day at a dose of 1500 mg (15 ml of a 10% solution) for 10 days, and over the next 10 days they took Elkar ® orally, 2 teaspoons of a 20% solution 2 times a day.

Stroke severity was assessed using the NIHSS scale, Bartell index, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, and Doppler ultrasound of the main arteries of the head and neck.

It has been proven that intravenous use of the drug leads to a significant reduction in the severity of focal neurological deficits in patients with cerebral stroke. A positive effect is observed regardless of the location of the lesion (carotid or vertebrobasilar system, deep or superficial location of the lesion). An important property is the possibility of simultaneous use of other medications necessary to treat a patient with acute stroke.

The results of the study showed the effectiveness and safety of using the drug Elcar® in patients in the acute period of carotid stroke - both in terms of the severity of the neurological defect and the functional activity of the patients. The use of the drug Elkar® as a neuroprotector, starting from the 1st day of the disease, allows to reduce the recovery time of patients, and therefore contributes to their faster activation and reduction of the number of complications associated with long-term forced immobilization.

The most pronounced regression of neurological symptoms and more complete functional recovery were observed in patients with cardioembolic stroke. This state of affairs is probably due to the fact that Elkar ® has not only a neuroprotective, but also a pronounced cardioprotective effect. By improving myocardial metabolism, Elcar® helps maintain adequate systemic hemodynamics in patients with cardiac pathology, which in turn helps preserve cell vital activity.

There is convincing evidence of the effectiveness of the use of carnitine in patients not only with acute, but also chronic cerebrovascular disorders, in particular, discirculatory encephalopathy, vertebrobasilar insufficiency. The duration of treatment and daily doses of carnitine are determined individually. At the same time, it is necessary to carry out treatment and provide measures for secondary prevention of cerebrovascular disorders, aimed at eliminating existing cardiovascular risk factors, in particular, correcting blood pressure levels, lipid and carbohydrate composition of the blood, etc.

The effect of L-carnitine on the state of cognitive functions in patients with chronic cerebral circulatory disorders as part of discirculatory encephalopathy, as well as lacunar infarctions that developed against the background of diabetes mellitus, was studied in an open randomized study - along with L-carnitine, patients received mildronate. The data obtained made it possible to state an improvement in abstract and concrete thinking and memory during therapy. According to the authors, the clinical effects were due to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation processes, as well as the normalization of blood glucose levels observed with the use of L-carnitine (in some patients it was possible to reduce the dose of glucose-lowering drugs taken).

Some experience has been accumulated in studying disorders of L-carnitine metabolism in patients with various neurodegenerative diseases with predominant brain damage. One of the most severe neurodegenerative diseases leading to severe progressive brain damage is Friedreich's ataxia. The mechanisms of development of this genetically determined disease are quite complex, but today there is convincing evidence that oxidative phosphorylation disorders play a key role in its development. In a pilot study, which included patients with an established diagnosis of Friedreich's ataxia, the use of L-carnitine for 4 months was accompanied by an increase in the supply of phosphocreatine in the tissues (determined by magnetic resonance spectroscopy), although the severity of the neurological deficit did not change significantly. The data obtained by the authors allows us to consider it promising to study the possibility of using L-carnitine in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. It should be noted that, given the role of energy production disorders in the pathogenesis of the disease, an attempt was made to use acetyl-L-carnitine for medicinal purposes in this group of patients. After a 6-month course of using the drug, it was found that during treatment the severity of ataxic disorders decreased and the rate of disease progression decreased.

Cognitive impairments and their most pronounced stage, dementia, are a very pressing problem in neurology due to their widespread prevalence, difficulties and high cost of therapy.

In experimental conditions, it was found that the use of L-carnitine increases the entry into brain tissue of galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a drug widely used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease and some other types of dementia. An increase in the concentration of acetylcholine, one of the key neurotransmitters for the implementation of cognitive functions, was noted, mainly in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, and in quantities significantly higher than the corresponding indicators in the control group. There is also evidence of the participation of the L-carnitine metabolite, acetyl-L-carnitine, in the synthesis of acetylcholine in the brain.

A study was conducted to determine the concentrations of free carnitine and acylcarnitine in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma of patients with Alzheimer's disease and age-matched healthy individuals (control group). It turned out that in the cerebrospinal fluid the concentrations of these substances did not differ significantly, while in patients with Alzheimer's disease the content of L-carnitine in plasma was significantly lower. Notably, there was a trend towards an increased carnitine/acylcarnitine ratio in patients with Alzheimer's disease, which may be due to low carnitine acetyl transferase activity. Interestingly, the concentration of L-carnitine in the cerebrospinal fluid did not differ between healthy people and patients with Parkinson's disease, and was not associated with the duration of the disease, its severity, or the use of anti-Parkinsonian drugs. There is evidence that the use of acetyl-L-carnitine can also, to a certain extent, delay the onset of severe dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

The effectiveness of acetyl-L-carnitine as a cognitive enhancer was studied in a meta-analysis of a series of double-blind studies. The duration of observation was at least 3 months. It turned out that in the active treatment group there was a significantly more pronounced improvement in the condition, in particular, on the General Impression Scale, as well as on a set of psychometric tests. The authors note very good tolerability of the drugs. The therapy undoubtedly had a positive effect, which consisted of greater preservation of cognitive functions and a slowdown in the development of dementia compared to the control group (they received a placebo for 12 months).

The use of L-carnitine preparations in patients with anorexia nervosa has also been successfully carried out. Patients successfully gained weight, normalized gastrointestinal function, decreased fatigue, and improved physical fitness.

L-carnitine and gastroenterological diseases
L-carnitine has also been successfully used to treat gastroenterological diseases, such as hepatic encephalopathy due to liver cirrhosis. Hepatic encephalopathy is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, disorders of neuromuscular transmission and, in severe stages, depression of consciousness. An important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy is played by the accumulation of ammonia in the nervous tissue, leading to disruption of the neurotransmitter balance, dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier, and cerebral edema. Excess ammonia enzymatically binds to glutamate, resulting in the formation of glutamine; the process is most active in muscle tissue and the brain. It is believed that the leading cause of cell edema is the accumulation of glutamine, a product of ammonia detoxification, in astrocytes. The main mechanism of action of L-carnitine is to stimulate the formation of urea and reduce the concentration of ammonia in body tissues, including the brain.

The results of a series of experimental studies made it possible to establish that the administration of L-carnitine to laboratory animals leads to a significant decrease in ammonia concentration both in the blood and solid tissues of the body (including the brain). Somewhat later, the effectiveness of the use of L-carnitine in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, manifested, in particular, by cognitive impairment, was confirmed. Clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of L-carnitine in these conditions, demonstrating the ability of the drug to have a significant positive effect on cognitive function with good tolerability and a minimum of side effects, even with long-term treatment.

In 2008, the results of a meta-analysis of a series of 15 studies on the use of alternative treatment methods in patients with neuropathic pain syndromes were published. It turned out that to date, information has been accumulated about the possibility of such an effect in L-carnitine, which makes it advisable to further study the effectiveness and feasibility of its use in patients with neuropathic pain syndromes in combination with medications used to relieve them.

Conclusion
Currently available experimental and clinical data indicate a fairly high effectiveness of the use of the drug Elcar® (L-carnitine) for various diseases. The pharmacological profile of the drug is characterized by good tolerability, an extremely low incidence of side effects and the possibility of simultaneous use of other drugs.

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What is the principle of action of L-carnitine?

For reference:

Subcutaneous fat in the human body, under the influence of hormone-sensitive lipases, breaks down into free fatty acids and glycerol. Once in the blood, they combine with albumin, after which they enter the cells. Thanks to L - carnitine and some enzymes, the fatty acid penetrates the mitochondria and, as a result of complex biochemical reactions, undergoes oxidation.

L-carnitine is used as a supplement for weight loss, but its main function is to improve energy metabolism in the human body. L-carnitine also improves all metabolic processes in the body.

Initially, our liver produces it not to burn fat, but to ensure that every cell in the body receives a sufficient amount of bioenergy. 200 mg of L-carnitine is the daily requirement of a person who wants all the cells of his body to function fully.

What is the fundamental difference between L-carnitine and fat burners?

Are there any particularities regarding the use of L-carnitine depending on a person’s gender?

Is it true that it is only effective in combination with physical activity?

Yes, aerobic exercise is one of the key conditions for L-carnitine to work. But there is one very important nuance - the loads must be in a certain pulse zone. Otherwise, water is removed from the body, and the fat remains in the cell. Everyone has their own anaerobic threshold and it is advisable to know it. But 99% of people who go to the club have never done this test, and therefore do not know the required heart rate zone for effective fat burning! Everyone is just running.

How much L-carnitine should you take specifically for weight loss?

• physiological requirement 200 mg;
• The average daily dosage is 1-1.5.2 grams *;
• If there is a large amount of adipose tissue - up to 5 grams *.

*Divide into several steps.

Here you need to understand how much excess fat tissue a person has. If this is a girl who wants to lose 3-4 kg of what she considers excess weight, we can talk about a dosage of 1-1.5 g per day. If we are talking about a fairly overweight person, it is important to understand what we are dealing with: fat or water. It happens that a person is very large, and he thinks that he has a large amount of fat in the body, although in fact it is water accumulated due to impaired kidney function. L-carnitine, even in large dosages, will not help him.

How to take L-carnitine correctly? Is it necessary to adhere to any special diet?

Does it make sense to take a supplement at night?

L-carnitine is available in ampoules, tablets, powder and liquid. Which is better and more effective?

Are there other factors that influence pricing?

How can you understand what raw materials a product is made from?

Drinks with L-carnitine are often offered in fitness clubs. The concentration of the substance in them is extremely small, in addition, it is a sweet drink. Is it even acceptable to drink them during training?

If you are interested in utilizing fats, you do not need to consume carbohydrates. The main task is to burn those carbohydrates that are stored in your liver in the form of glycogen, so that the body switches to using fats as energy sources. And then it turns out that the energy runs out, we add carbohydrates, the body uses them again, without including fats in the work. Same thing with L-carnitine bars. From a weight loss point of view, such a bar is not effective; it contains more carbohydrates.

Want to know what L-carnitine is? We will tell you about the action of L-carnitine, its benefits, which one is better to choose, as well as how and how much to take the supplement.

Now L-carnitine for weight loss included in a huge number of sports supplements. Manufacturers of sports nutrition unanimously insist that this is a powerful and versatile component that has the properties fat burner , helps build muscle, speeds up recovery and improves cognitive function.

At the same time, many people argue that carnitine is a useless supplement. Who is right?

As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. In fact, L-carnitine is not a miracle drug, but science shows it may be effective for certain purposes. Let's figure it out. In this article we will tell you what L-carnitine is and what it does benefit, which type to choose, how and how much is better to take,and should you be afraid?side effects.

L-carnitine - what is it? ?

L-carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid found primarily in meat and dairy products. It is conditionally essential, meaning that our bodies can produce it as long as we consume enough lysine and methionine (essential amino acids).

L-Carnitine performs several vital functions in the body, mainly related to the production of cellular energy. Thus, it is not surprising that most of the L-carnitine in the body is found in the muscles, which must quickly generate enormous amounts of energy.

Why does the name "L-carnitine" contain the letter L? It simply distinguishes it from another form of the substance, D-carnitine, which not only has no beneficial effects, but actually interferes with our body's ability to absorb L-carnitine. Therefore, D-carnitine is never added to sports nutrition products. You will only find L-carnitine there in one of four forms:

• L-carnitine. This is the same form of carnitine that is produced in the body.
• Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR). This form of L-carnitine has undergone a chemical process known as acetylation, which allows the substance to cross the blood-brain barrier.
• L-carnitine L-tartrate. This form of L-carnitine is bound to tartaric acid and helps improve absorption.
• Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine (GPLC). This form of L-carnitine is bound to the amino acid glycine. Research shows that GPLA provides antioxidant action in the body and can increase blood flow during exercise.

Why do people use L-carnitine for weight loss?

The answer is obvious: they take the supplement to increase the amount of carnitine in the body, especially in the muscles. This, in turn, leads to a number of positive effects, including reduced muscle soreness, better post-workout recovery, and increased nitric oxide production.

However, no single form of carnitine provides the entire list of the above effects.

Benefits of L-carnitine

Usually a person gets enough L-carnitine from food, but research shows that carnitine deficiency can occur in older people and those who do not eat meat.

Therefore, most people who exercise at the gym do not need to take L-carnitine supplements to improve their health. However, we can increase the amount of this substance in the body to improve athletic performance.

Effect of L-carnitine on muscle damage and soreness

Research shows that the substance reduces muscle damage during and after intense exercise, thereby improving recovery and reducing muscle soreness.

This effect of L-carnitine is one of the most proven. Scientists are still investigating its mechanism. Currently, the most likely hypothesis is that it is mediated by increased blood flow to muscle tissue, resulting in decreased muscle stress and improved cellular signaling that is associated with muscle recovery.

Does L-Carnitine Work? fat burner?

L-carnitine is required for the oxidation of fatty acids (that is, for their burning), so sports nutrition manufacturers often claim that the substance helps accelerate fat loss and is excellent for for weight loss. Unfortunately, these statements are not true.

Indeed, carnitine deficiency can make it difficult to lose weight. However, most people do not suffer from carnitine deficiency. Plus, scientists have found that increasing carnitine levels above normal does not lead to improved fat burning.

Thus, consuming any form of L-carnitine is unlikely to help you " drying" or when losing weight, unless you are an elderly person or a vegetarian (in which case it is doubtful that L-carnitine will make any difference).

L-carnitine and muscle gain

Some sports nutrition manufacturers claim that L-carnitine can directly improve muscle gain and strength (similar to creatine)

But this effect was found in only one case, when the supplement was taken by elderly people to correct L-carnitine deficiency. Thus, it is safe to assume that the product will not help people with normal carnitine levels.

However, consuming L-carnitine may indirectly promote muscle gain and strength gains due to the supplement's positive effects on muscle soreness and recovery.

The fact is that the less sore our muscles are after going to the gym and the faster we recover, the more intensely we can train and progress faster. This will ultimately help improve your body composition.

Read also: Proper muscle mass gain - 10 common mistakes

L-carnitine and physical performance

Most studies show that L-carnitine does not improve performance during long-term, low-intensity exercise. The same can be said about intense short-term training.

Some scientists have suggested that taking L-carnitine supplements may increase muscle power, but the evidence is inconclusive.

Last but not least, L-carnitine has been shown to reduce mental and physical fatigue during exercise in older (but not young healthy) individuals.

Thus, the scientific evidence now suggests that carnitine most likely will not improve your physical performance.

L-carnitine and cognitive function

ALCAR may reduce fatigue and improve concentration in people with chronic fatigue syndrome or carnitine deficiency.

There is also some evidence that ALCAR may be used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some healthy people report improved cognitive function while taking acetyl-L-carnitine, but unfortunately there is not enough research yet to confirm or refute such claims.

L-carnitine and insulin sensitivity

Several studies have shown that levocarnitine can improve insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes.However, it is not known whether it has the same effects in healthy people.

L-carnitine and fertility

Several experiments have found that L-carnitine can improve sperm quality in men, especially those who have low sperm quality or suffer from infertility.

How many L-carnitine must be taken - clinically effective dosage

The clinically effective dosage of L-carnitine depends on what type of substance you use:

Acetyl-L-carnitine: 630 to 2500 mg per day;

L-carnitine L-tartrate: 1000 to 4000 mg per day;

Glycine propionyl L-carnitine: 1000 to 4000 mg per day;

Regular L-carnitine: 500 to 2000 mg per day.

How to use L-carnitine?

Some experts believe that carnitine should be taken before training, others say that the best time to take it is after exercise. Both are right in their own way. Acetyl-L-carnitine is not advisable to take with food (it is less easily absorbed). Therefore, it can be taken before training along with supplements to increase energy levels.

But other forms of carnitine require carbohydrates for optimal absorption. Since eating before training is not advisable, it is better to take the supplement after.

One strategy for reaping the full benefits of different forms of L-Carnitine is to take two servings of ALCAR between meals (including 1 serving pre-workout) and one serving of regular form or L-Carnitine L-Tartrate post-workout.

What can you expect from taking L-carnitine?

It depends on the characteristics of your body and nutrition.

If you're young, healthy, and eating fairly healthily, the main benefit you can expect from levocarnitine is reduced post-workout muscle soreness and faster recovery.

The product may also slightly increase your workout performance, but the evidence base for this is fairly weak. For middle-aged and older people, taking L-carnitine may slightly speed up fat burning, increase muscle mass, and reduce fatigue during workouts. Additionally, if you don't eat meat, consuming the product may provide the same benefits to you as it does to older adults.

This is interesting: Carnitine deficiency is very common among vegans and vegetarians because their diet contains much lower amounts of lysine and methionine, the essential amino acids needed to produce carnitine.

Does L-carnitine have side effects?

Research shows that L-carnitine supplements are safe and do not causeside effects. However, this issue is controversial. The reason is a paper published in 2013 that showed that carnitine in meat may increase the risk of heart disease.

There's good reason not to worry about this: this work didn't actually show that eating red meat increases the risk of heart disease. Instead, it showed that the meat caused a temporary increase in a substance known as TMAO (trimethylamine oxide), which has been associated with heart disease, but scientists have not proven that it actually causes it.

In other words, the theory that eating meat increases the risk of heart disease in all people under all circumstances is unlikely to be true.

This is supported by the fact that studies have found no link between red meat consumption and heart disease, diabetes, stroke or cancer. However, there is evidence that eating processed red meat foods such as bacon, salami and hot dogs may increase the risk of heart disease. However, it is not known whether this is due to red meat consumption per se or an unhealthy lifestyle in general.

Conclusion

L-carnitine is a worthy sports nutrition product. It can provide the beneficial effects that most people expect.

The product can help you with burning fat, gaining muscle mass and increasing strength indicators subject to intense training. Thanks to it, you will be able to really push yourself in training and recover better, which, of course, will speed up your progress.

So, if you want to reduce muscle pain and ensure faster recovery after training, then L-carnitine is a good supplement to your diet.