Carnitine

By Weight Loss Consultant • Related • Filed Under

Protein is one of the most important fuels for the human body because it is necessary to build and repair muscle. You might not know this, but protein is actually built from a group of “mini-proteins” called amino acids. There are several different amino acids and they each serve a purpose of their own accord. Some are created by the human body, while others, such as l-carnitine, must be consumed or found via outside sources. Since we are concerned with losing weight, we’ll talk about how we can use l-carnitine to facilitate and improve weight loss.

The first thing that you need to know about this very important amino acid is that it is not manufactured by the human body. This means you have to make sure you eat foods that contain it. Some of the foods that contain l-carnitine are red meat, avocados, dairy products, and tempeh. Although many meat eaters have no problem getting their fair share of this amino acid, vegetarians and vegans might struggle.

One popular alternative for getting l-carnitine is by taking an amino acid supplement. These are easily found at most sports nutrition stores both locally and on the internet. You can also opt for a whey protein supplement, which will usually contain a generous portion of both amino acids and pure protein. These are great for drinking between meals or on the go. Many bodybuilders and athletes use them to make up for the calorie deficits that come as a result of intense exercise.

So now that we know where you can get l-carnitine, let’s talk about why you need it. This amino acid is responsible for carrying fat molecules into the area of the cell responsible for fat burning. This area is basically a furnace that the body uses to fuel its operations. If you are trying to lose weight by burning fat, then you need to make sure that you have ample supplies of carnitine. Otherwise, the fat cannot penetrate the wall of the cell and your body will burn glucose and muscle for fuel, rather than fat.

Obviously, the goal is to burn fat not muscle, which is why you need to make sure you are getting plenty of carnitine in your diet. There are a lot of weight-loss supplements that make claims of using carnitine to burn fat, but usually they are overhyped. Your best bet is simply to take an amino acid supplement or make sure that you eat plenty of the foods listed above. This will allow your body to metabolize the fat you don’t want to keep around any longer.

Although carnitine may facilitate increased energy, this is mostly the result of the way your body processes fuels rather than the amino itself. Still, this isn’t a benefit to complain about, as the increased energy output allows you to work out longer and with more intensity. Studies also suggest that carnitine is critical for reducing risk for diabetes and other metabolism based conditions. It can also help to keep your kidneys and liver healthy. Quite simply, l-carnitine is one of the most important parts of your diet.

Check on the internet for some great deals on carnitine supplements, as you will find much cheaper prices here than at a local health food store. If you have any problems choosing the right supplement for your needs, then I would find a site with plenty of reviews. You can also ask your doctor what he or she recommends. If you prefer not to take supplements, then just make sure you get plenty of red meat, dairy product, tempeh, or avocado in your diet.

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