L-carnitine for weight loss is actively used by athletes and people who are watching their figure. This natural component is able to change the body's metabolism, contributing to the natural loss of excess weight. It is produced in various dosage forms by several pharmaceutical companies, so before using it is worthwhile to figure out which one is better and more effective.

L-Carnitine - what is it, a description of the action for weight loss

Levocarnitine is a biologically active substance produced by the body itself to regulate metabolism. It is also called vitamin B11. It is synthesized by the liver from amino acids from food. If the amount of L-carnitine is not enough, obesity occurs. In this case, it is worth adjusting it from outside to normalize the condition.

This supplement is very popular among athletes. It helps to speed up metabolism, which contributes not only to weight loss, but also to muscle growth.

Maintaining the concentration of L-carnitine in the body at the physiological norm allows you to deal with stress, and also increases resistance to mental and emotional stress. It is also useful to those who are used to relieve stress with a hearty dinner or a bad snack.

L-carnitine acts as a carrier for fatty acids. It helps them reach the mitochondria, where they are converted into energy. If this does not happen, the body will allow these substances to form subcutaneous tissue. In this case, the body begins to look flabby, and the muscles lose strength. A person experiences stress, seeing a reflection in the mirror, which interferes with him in other household matters. To avoid this, you need to monitor the level of vitamin B11 and replenish it in time with the help of dietary supplements.

Which l-carnitine for weight loss is better, liquid or in tablets?

Since L-carnitine does not act instantly, but must accumulate in the body in sufficient quantities for a visible effect, there is not much difference between the forms of release in use. But it must be borne in mind that when using a liquid, it quickly enters the bloodstream. This is important when there is not enough time to drink the drug and wait for its absorption.

If there is an opportunity to take the drug in advance, it is better to use tablets or dragees with L-carnitine. They contain fewer extraneous additives in the form of preservatives and flavorings. But it may take several hours to absorb such a drug.

In order to decide which is better to take L-carnitine, you need to draw up your daily routine and analyze it.

  • If it is possible to drink the drug long before the workout, it is worth choosing tableted forms of the drug.
  • For people living in a fast rhythm, liquid or soluble agents are suitable.

How to take L-Carnitine

The supplement should be consumed in an amount that will make up for the lack of the body’s natural substance. It is determined based on gender, age, weight and the amount of subcutaneous fat. The average dosage for most people is 5 - 7 g. The supplement can be drunk in several doses.

The most effective way to use it is in the morning before meals (or 1.5 hours after) and shortly before training.

The course of use of drugs should be no more than 2 months. Then you need to take a break for 14 days. If you neglect this rule, the body will cease to synthesize its own vitamin B11, which will affect human health. To achieve maximum effect, it is recommended to combine L-carnitine with coenzyme Q10. It has antioxidant activity and helps the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system, which is the prevention of thrombosis.

Ways to use liquid Levocarnitine

Liquid L-carnitine is absorbed faster than other forms of release. It is optimal to take it undiluted. But if this is not possible, then the product can be diluted or washed down with boiled water. The average dosage for an adult of normal build is 5 ml of syrup. The amount of the drug taken is best chosen individually with a sports doctor or nutritionist, taking into account all the characteristics of the body.

To achieve high athletic performance, the dose is increased to 15 ml. The course of admission should not exceed 5 to 6 weeks continuously. After an interval of 14 days, you can resume the use of levocarnitine.

Use in tablets or capsules

Capsules and tablets with L-carnitine are not subject to breaking or crushing. This may change their properties. If you can’t drink the whole drug, it is better to choose a different dosage form. After using the supplement, you should drink it with water to better advance along the digestive tract.

The average dosage of the drug for adults is from 250 to 500 mg 2-3 times a day.

Athletes take the entire daily norm (from 500 to 1000 mg) at a time immediately before class. The course for them should not last more than six months.

L-carnitine powder

The powder is not taken in dry form, but as a drink. To do this, it is diluted in 0.5 liters of fluid at a time. This is not very convenient in the absence of a nearby source of drinking water.But in this way the effect of the drug is achieved as quickly as when using syrup. Another advantage of this form is the low price compared to others.

How to make taking supplements more effective for losing weight

The greatest effect of taking L-carnitine is observed when combining it with enhanced training and proper nutrition.

The diet for the fastest fat burning is based on certain principles:

  • drinking at least 2 - 3 liters of pure water per day (drinks are not included in this category);
  • the inclusion in the diet of a large number of fruits and vegetables in any form;
  • control over the number of calories received from food with an individual calculation of the norm;
  • the use of a large number of proteins (for each kilogram of weight 1 g of amino acids);
  • replacement of simple carbohydrates (alcohol, sucrose, flour products) with complex (cereals, cereals);
  • restriction of fat intake to 60 g per day;
  • an increase in the number of meals up to 5 times per day, but not exceeding the portion sizes of 300 g.

Following these rules, losing weight will be fast, easy and without damage to health.

L-Carnitine Content in Organic Products

The largest amount of substance is found in animal products.

Their list includes:

  • lamb (boiled);
  • beef (boiled);
  • veal (stewed);
  • pork (stewed);
  • rabbit meat (stewed);
  • turkey meat (boiled);
  • chicken (boiled);
  • duck liver (stewed).

Less L-carnitine is found in aquatic life.

These include:

  • crustaceans (boiled);
  • herring (salted);
  • eel (smoked);
  • sea ​​bass (fried);
  • tuna (in canned food);
  • mussels (boiled);
  • squid (boiled).

At the same time, marine creatures are richer in levocarnitine - in them its content reaches 5 mg, while in river ones it reaches only 4 mg.

Vitamin B11 is also found in dairy products.

They are especially rich in some of them:

  • goat cheese;
  • condensed milk;
  • natural yogurt (without additives in the form of flavorings and preservatives);
  • unpasteurized milk;
  • creamy ice cream (without the addition of impurities);
  • high fat cream;
  • cottage cheese;
  • sour cream;
  • hard cheese.

The substance is also found in mushrooms, cereals, baked goods, nuts, vegetables and fruits. But its quantity is small and does not give a therapeutic effect. In cooking, it should be borne in mind that during thermal exposure to foods up to 25% of useful components are lost, including L-carnitine.

Instructions for use before training

Since the drug needs time to enter the bloodstream, L-carnitine should be taken before training. If it is solid dosage forms, then in 1.5 - 2 hours, and if liquid, which is enough 30 minutes for absorption.

The dosage for use before class is 2000 mg or less, depending on the baseline of the person and the desired result.

It is better to combine taking medications with cardio, as the latter are aimed at burning fat.

Weight gain supplements are best combined with strength exercises, which help build muscle.

Drug Interactions

Athletes combine levocarnitine with lipoic acid. They enhance the effect of each other, because of which fats are burned faster. It is also possible to use with other anabolic drugs. In this case, glucocorticoids contribute to the accumulation of L-carnitine in tissues, bypassing the liver. This allows you to achieve the greatest effect. But on the rationality of using such a combination, it is better to consult a nutritionist or sports doctor.

Contraindications and side effects

L-carnitine is produced by the body itself, so its use usually does not bring complications. But in some cases it is better not to use it.

These include:

  • the presence of epilepsy;
  • kidney pathology;
  • normal levocarnitine content (an additional dose will not bring any effect);
  • allergy to the components of the drug;
  • diabetes;
  • hypertonic disease;
  • the period of bearing a child and breastfeeding;
  • fasting or mono-diet;
  • tendency to increased thrombosis;
  • HIV infection;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • cancer treatment;
  • problems in the thyroid gland.

In the presence of one of the contraindications, the drug should not be used to avoid complications. Improper use of the drug leads to side effects.

They appear as follows:

  • allergic reactions (edema, rash, itching, shortness of breath, nasal congestion);
  • exacerbation of atherosclerosis;
  • thrombosis;
  • intestinal upset;
  • sleep disturbance;
  • unstable psyche.

To prevent the occurrence of side effects, it is not recommended to use the supplement on its own. When consulting with a specialist, it is worth mentioning all the possible details about the condition of your body. This will help to correctly choose the dosage and appoint a reception.

L-carnitine acts effectively on the body, improving metabolism at the cellular level. Its use is useful for those whose synthesis of this substance has decreased for any reason. The dosage of the drug should be selected by the doctor, and the form of release can be taken one that is better suited to the pace of life of a particular person. Normalization of the content of levocarnitine in the blood allows not only to normalize body weight, but also improves well-being and mood.