L-carnitine has become widely known as a drug for weight loss. It was created at the beginning of the twentieth century, but its popularity reached its peak in the 1980s, when athletes began to actively use it. How useful is it, is it worth taking it and who can do it? Among physicians there is no consensus on this score, but the effect of the drug has been studied quite well.
What is L-carnitine?
Although L-carnitine is used for weight loss, it does not belong to the number of fat burners. Initially, he was referred to the group B vitamins, but later this opinion was refuted by scientists. This is a substance of animal origin, the human body also synthesizes it from amino acids. L-carnitine plays an important role in the functioning of mitochondria – these microscopic “energy stations” located inside the cells. Its task is to transport fatty acids, without which the mitochondria can not provide cells with energy.
L-carnitine and sport
Especially appreciate the drug athletes and fitness models. They take it to increase endurance and enhance the effect of “drying” – building muscle mass while reducing the percentage of fat, but the tool does not have a direct impact on these processes.
Scientists attribute L-carnitine to the number of conditionally irreplaceable substances: the body produces it, but this requires some substances that it can only receive from the outside with food:
Athletes also follow a special diet, as a result, the body can not produce L-carnitine in sufficient quantities. Taking l-carnitine does not help them lose weight, but compensates for the lack of this substance. Not only athletes, but also vegetarians suffer from its shortage, because the essential acids necessary for its synthesis can only be obtained from animal products. Vegans who follow the most radical plant-based diet, pill carnitine is no less useful than for sportsmen.
Benefits and harms of the drug
Those who dream of quick weight loss without diets and exercise do not make sense to take L-carnitine, but its effect on the body brings many other equally valuable results:
Who should not use l-carnitine? The instruction to the drug indicates only one contraindication – individual intolerance, but side effects may occur during the intake process. Some people have:
In such cases, the drug is better to refuse.
Method of application
Dosage and schedule depends on the form of the drug:
The level of physical activity makes adjustments to the above scheme. Professional athletes recommended a single dose of large doses before exercise. Half an hour before it starts, you need to drink 15 ml of syrup or take from 500 to 15000 mg in capsules. With a particularly intense load (for example, immediately before the competition) increased doses are allowed – from 9 to 15 g daily.
When deciding on the use of L-carnitine, you need to consult with your doctor – a specialist in sports medicine, he will select the optimal dosage and schedule of admission.