Are Liquid L-Carnitine Supplements BETTER than Powders & Capsules? [Review]

Liquid l-carnitine supplements are purported to be a convenient and highly bioavailable way to increase L-carnitine consumption in the diet.

L-carnitine is an amino acid derivative that is involved in the production of energy in the body. It helps the body maintain adequate energy levels by transporting long-chain fatty acids to mitochondria, where they are oxidized (burned) for fuel.

Carnitine also helps remove harmful compounds and toxins from within the mitochondria, which lowers the risk of accumulation and cellular damage. It is commonly used by athletes to support exercise performance.

Carnitine is made by the liver and kidneys from the amino acid lysine. It also comes from food sources, such as red meat, fish, poultry and dairy products. This amino acid derivative is found in larger amounts in cardiac muscle and skeletal tissue, according to the US Office of Dietary Supplements. [1]

Most people have adequate levels of carnitine in the body, but liquid products that contain L-carnitine are available for those who want to increase their carnitine levels.

This supplement is used for weight loss, increased energy levels and improved athletic performance. Those who intend to use these products for these purposes should understand the benefits of liquid L-carnitine and the potential risks of taking it.

L-Carnitine

Amino Acid

Metabolism

Energy

Fitness

How It Works:

• Transports fatty acids into mitochondria
• Involved in energy metabolism
• Anti-aging & exercise benefits

Dosage:

1 - 3 g per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top L-Carnitine Products* ❯

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Benefits of Liquid L-Carnitine

L-carnitine supplements come in different forms, including liquid and pills. L-carnitine liquid might offer certain advantages over pills, such as faster entry into the bloodstream.

Liquid L-carnitine is able to enter the bloodstream more quickly than pills, which need to be dissolved inside the body. This fast-absorbing formula may be better suited for use as a pre-workout supplement.

According Allmax Nutrition, the manufacturer of one liquid product “L-Carnitine taps into your fat supply and may provide support to burn it as fuel, resulting in increased energy. Without L-Carnitine, these fats cannot be burned for energy and are instead shunted to stored body fat.” [5]

They claim the following benefits for their product:

• Improves exercise capacity via fatigue reduction [5]
• Assists in faster recovery after heavy exercise [5]
• Helps increase total muscle mass [5]

Does liquid L-carnitine work? According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, there is not enough evidence of the efficacy of L-carnitine for improving athletic performance. [2]

More studies need to be done in order to determine the effectiveness of L-carnitine for this purpose. Most studies that have been done so far have shown no effects of L-carnitine supplements on physical performance, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. [3]

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some results of studies indicate that L-carnitine oral supplements might support a decrease in fat mass, an increase in muscle mass and a decrease in fatigue, which might promote weight loss when combined with healthy eating habits and regular exercise. [4]

Additional research is needed on the effectiveness of L-carnitine supplements for promoting weight loss.

How to Take Liquid L-Carnitine Liquid

Liquid L-carnitine can be added to water or other beverages. Dosages and directions for use vary depending on the specific product being used.

Consumers who use these products should follow the directions listed, such as when to take it and how often to take it. Those who use liquid L-carnitine should also follow their doctor’s advice on taking these products.

These products come in varying dosages that range from lower amounts, such as 1,000 MG to higher amounts, such as 3,000 MG and 5,000 MG per serving size.

Those who plan on using these products should ask their doctor which dosage to take based on their goals, age, health and other factors. Your dietary consumption of L-carnitine and the amino acid L-Lysine may also influence the optimal dosage for you to take.

Liquid L-carnitine products are available from online retailers, such as GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and Amazon. They are also sold at local stores that have health and wellness products.

Brands that make liquid L-carnitine include Nutra Botanics, NOW Foods, MET-Rx, Pro Supps and Dymatize. These products are available in a wide range of flavors, such as citrus and watermelon.

Some products use a proprietary form of L-carnitine sold under the brand name Carnipure from Lonza, Ltd. This ingredient is formulated to be a higher quality than what is found in many other dietary supplements and meets the standards of Pharmaceutical Grade (USP) manufacturing.

Many of these products also contain other ingredients purported to support the effects of L-carnitine in the body. Allmax Nutrition’s product also contains 10 mg of Vitamin B5 as D-Pantothenic Acid, which represents 100% of the Daily Value for this vitamin.

Allmax states that pantothenic acid works in conjunction with L-carnitine to facilitate energy metabolism from fatty acids. They explain that, “Vitamin B5 is a fundamental component of coenzyme A (coA) which is involved in the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria.” [5]

A large percentage of consumers who use liquid L-carnitine products indicated that these products have been effective at helping them lose weight, especially when they are combined with routine exercise and a healthy diet. These consumers also noted that these products have a pleasant taste.

A small percentage of consumers who use these products stated that the taste was unpleasant, and they were not effective at helping them lose weight or improve their athletic performance.

Side Effects of Liquid L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is generally considered safe to use in small to moderate amounts. Taking 5 grams or more a day might increase the risk of diarrhea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. [4]

Other side effects can also occur, although these are rare. These include a fish-like body odor, an increase in appetite and skin rash.

Liquid L-carnitine should not be taken by pregnant women, but it is possibly safe for women who are nursing, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. [2] There is not enough information available on the safety of this supplement for pregnant women.

Those who have high blood pressure, kidney disease, seizures, diabetes, cirrhosis or peripheral vascular disease should not take L-carnitine in liquid form without consulting a doctor first. A doctor can determine if these products are safe to take for those who have one or more of these conditions.

L-carnitine in liquid form might cause interactions with some medications, such as blood thinning medications, valproic acid, thyroid hormones and doxorubicin. It might also interact with AZT medication for HIV and AIDS and isotetinoin.

Those who use these medications and plan on using liquid L-carnitine should check with their doctor first.

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