If you’re a fan of endurance sports, this nutrient may be just what you need to get past the finish line.
Hands up if you’ve ever taken part in endurance sports like long-distance cycling, running or hiking? Then you’ll know there’s a point where you start wondering if anything can keep you going that little bit longer.
This is where some scientists think L-carnitine could help give your performance a push.
L-carnitine is important for producing energy, but it also has a number of exercise benefits on the body.
For endurance athletes, one of the major benefits of L-carnitine is that it removes the waste produced by converting fat into energy back out of our cells.
This waste is lactic acid. It is produced when you’re exercising so hard that you don’t breath in enough oxygen. Removing lactic acid from our cells’ engines helps to delay feelings of tiredness and muscle soreness.6 Handpicked content: How to fight fatigueAlthough the study was carried out on athletes, it may be beneficial if you’re training for an event or stepping up your exercise programme too.
They also produced significantly less lactic acid, helping them recover more quickly after exercise.
1. National Institutes of Health. Carnitine. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/
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4. WebMD. L-Carnitine. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1026-L-CARNITINE.aspx
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6. Stephens F, et al. New insights concerning the role of carnitine in the regulation of fuel metabolism in skeletal muscle. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2075186/
7. Karlic H, Lohninger A. Supplementation of L-carnitine in athletes: does it make sense? Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15212755
8. Jacobs P, et al. Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine produces enhanced anaerobic work capacity with reduced lactate accumulation in resistance trained males. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19341458