Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acidderivative with well-established functions in cellular metabolism. Carnitine is produced in the body and consumed in the diet from meatand dairy products.
Carnitine is required by the body for energy metabolism and for theproper use of fats as an energy source and enhances fatty acidoxidation, particularly during exercise. It is an essential Co-Factorin the breakdown of fats for use as an energy source.
During exercise muscle Carnitine levels decrease. Restricted diets canalso reduce muscle Carnitine levels. Supplementation with Carnitine isbeneficial in alleviating these decreases and helps to increase theactivity of key oxidative (fat burning) enzymes.
Carnitine supplementation is beneficial for endurance athletes as itcan increase VO2 MAX and reduce exercise-associated lactateaccumulation, thereby delaying the onset of fatigue.
