L-carnitine can be found in dozens of multi-ingredient and single-ingredient slimming preparations. The popularity of this substance is not unjustified – thanks to it, the breakdown of fat tissue can increase, which is what everyone motivated to lose weight wants. Read why it’s worth taking an L-carnitine supplement and what you need to do to make it work to its full potential.
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L-carnitine – what is it and what are its natural sources?
L-carnitineis also known as the BT vitamin, although it’s not really a vitamin, it’s a vitamin-derived substance. It is produced naturally by the human body (synthesized from the amino acids methionine and lysine), accumulated mainly in muscles, it is also present in the liver, kidneys, brain, heart and other organs. In addition to the fact that L-carnitine is produced by the body itself, it is also supplied with food.
Sources of L-carnitine include:
- meat (mutton, venison, beef, pork, poultry),
- fish,
- milk,
- cheese,
- mushrooms,
- vegetables and fruits.
L-Carnitine’s job is to transport fatty acids to the mitochondria so that they can then be used as a source of energy. In addition, L-carnitine plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids and in hormonal processes. It also helps in neutralizing free radicals and prevents the body from aging. It also has a positive effect on the functioning of the brain and heart muscle.
L-carnitine – how it works
Although the main people interested in L-carnitine supplements are those focused on body shaping, this substance should also interest others. Its effects are much broader than just weight loss and muscle support, and here are its most important properties:
- supporting heart function;
- Eliminating fatigue;
- improving mental abilities;
- antioxidant action;
- supporting detoxification of the body;
- Improving male fertility;
- influence on hormone activity (including thyroid hormones, testosterone);
- support of liver and kidney function;
- influence on lowering bad cholesterol levels.
L-carnitine for weight loss
There is a lot of talk about the slimming properties of L-carnitine, but it is worth specifying how this substance supports the process of weight reduction. Well, it does this in several ways. Firstly, it helps to block appetite. This is a very important factor that makes it easier to stick to a dietary menu. If L-carnitine is combined with another ingredient or ingredients in a supplement with appetite suppressant properties, the effect is even better.
Secondly, L-carnitine helps to cleanse the body of toxins (thanks to its ability to bind and inactivate heavy metals and other harmful substances and fight free radicals). It is worth knowing that such a detoxification is a very important process for a person losing weight. In a purified body the metabolism is more efficient and faster, also the digestion is improved, and all this makes it easier to lose further kilograms of weight.
Finally, the third aspect regarding the effect of L-carnitine on weight loss. This substance actively supports the burning of fat tissue, so you can get rid of excess weight in a shorter time and model your figure. The property of L-carnitine is an increase in metabolic rate and energy intake, which results in a greater use of stored material – fat. The process of lipolysis is intensified and with it the fat tissue is more easily converted into free fatty acids which can be “fuel” for muscles during our activity.
Speaking of activity, it’s worth noting that L-carnitine ‘reveals its true power’ when we engage in prolonged exercise. Only then does our body have the chance to tap into its fat reserves as an energy source. So if you want L-carnitine to have a high slimming potential, you should follow itup with an hour or more of physicalexercise.
Aerobic activity at a moderate pace is best, such as jogging, training on an exercise bike or orbit, aerobics etc. You can also reach for a slightly more advanced but highly effective aerobic training interspersed with strength training.
L-carnitine opinions
L-carnitine has a number of properties that are helpful in fat reduction, but on the other hand, there are many contradictory opinions about its effectiveness. According to some people, this substance does not produce any slimming effects, is completely indifferent to the process of weight loss, while according to others, it works superbly – fat tissue is eliminated much more intensively and quickly, and the figure gains a slim, athletic shape.
Why are there such divergent opinions on L-carnitine? Surely the biggest factor in making a judgement about this controversial substance is how we supplemented it and our other weight loss efforts.
Firstly, L-Carnitine needs fairly large doses (around 1000-3000 mg per day) to be effective. Secondly, you should exercise regularly while taking L-carnitine. Thirdly, diet is also important. It is likely that negative opinions about L-carnitine come from people who pay too little attention to activity and diet. Conversely, athletes, both professional and amateur, usually have no objections to L-carnitine, in fact, they are very satisfied with it.
L-Carnitine – which is the best?
Any L-carnitine can be of great benefit to you when it comes to weight reduction if you dose it in the right way and include it with physical training and a low calorie diet. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in multi-ingredient fat burners, which in addition to L-carnitine contain other substances that speed up metabolism, enhance lipolysis and at the same time block the appetite and help you stop snacking. This type of preparations hit the excess weight with multiplied force.
Silvets is a product for weight loss, which contains L-carnitine tartrate. In this form, L-carnitine is more bioavailable, which means it can be used to a greater extent by the body to stimulate fat burning. The slimming effects of L-Carnitine are enhanced by a number of other ingredients, which you can read about here.
