L-Carnitine

Featured study

Effects of l-carnitine supplementation on weight loss and body composition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled clinical trials with dose-response analysis ↗
Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2020 · PMID 32359762

Who was studied

2,292 participants across 37 randomized controlled trials.

How

Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

What it found

L-carnitine lowered body weight by about 1.2 kg, BMI slightly, and fat mass by about 2 kg compared with control. Waist size and body-fat percentage did not change significantly.

Limits

The effect is modest and the trials varied widely. Weight change in short trials does not show lasting benefit, and only body weight held up when the analysis was limited to high-quality trials.

Safety & what remains unknown

Oral L-carnitine can cause stomach upset and a fishy body odor. Research into its gut-derived byproduct TMAO raises unresolved questions for heart health; injectable research products are not dietary supplements.

Talk to a clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take prescription medicines or have a medical condition.

Where to find it

Search results and listings are not quality-checked or endorsed by PepsRadar. Look for third-party testing (for example USP or NSF marks) and check with a clinician about interactions.