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General description	Conditionally essential compound important in lipid oxidation.
Found	- meat (beef, lamb) - whole milk
Anti-aging role	- improve overall cognitive function - delay the progression of Alzheimer disease - transport fats into the mitochondria - restore the level of acetylcholinesterase - improve the learning ability - reduce lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin concentration in brain cells - reduce necrotic damage and infarct site - decrease the incidence of arrhytmias - increase maximal aerobic power and reduce recovery time - improve sperm motility - lower fatigue - boost immune system
Deficiency symptoms	- Very rare, usually caused by genetic disorder. - muscle weakness - poor muscle tone - bad coordination - hypoglycemia - weight loss / poor growth - lethargy - frequent cold - flu symptoms
Therapeutic doses	500 - 2000 mg/day - use min 4 weeks
Maximum safe level	4000 mg /day
Side effects	- skin rash - increased appetite - nausea, vomiting - abdominal cramps - dizziness - headache - agitation - taking more than 4 g/day can cause "fishy" skin smell
Contraindications	- liver or kidney disease
Interactions	- vitamin C, B-6, niacin and iron are essential for endogen produce of L-carnitine - valproats
High risk groups	- frequent hemodialysis - premature infants fed only with soy milk - sports with frequent and long aerobic workout
Composition formulas	- mostly by itself in capsules, powder or liquid - for best results - liquid products
Other remarks	- L - carnitine is made in the liver and kidneys from the amino acids methionine and lysine, it's most accumulated in muscles and other organs with high level of lipid oxidation - L - carnitine does not promote weight loss and without aerobic workout it's not usable - D - carnitine is toxic

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