Evidence supporting the use of: L-carnitine
For the health condition: Metabolic Syndrome
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
L-carnitine is an amino acid derivative involved in mitochondrial fatty acid transport and energy production. Its use in metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia—has some scientific backing, though the evidence is not robust. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated L-carnitine's effects on components of metabolic syndrome. Some studies suggest that supplementation may improve lipid profiles by lowering triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol. There is also some evidence of modest improvements in insulin sensitivity and reductions in fasting glucose levels and waist circumference. The proposed mechanisms include enhanced fatty acid oxidation, improved mitochondrial function, and reduced oxidative stress. However, the overall quality of the evidence is moderate to low. Many studies are small, short-term, or have methodological limitations. Meta-analyses such as those published in Obesity Reviews (2022) and Clinical Nutrition (2021) conclude that while there are statistically significant effects, they are usually modest and clinical significance is uncertain. Major diabetes and metabolic health guidelines do not currently recommend L-carnitine as a standard therapy. In summary, there is some scientific validation for the use of L-carnitine in supporting metabolic syndrome, but evidence is not strong enough to warrant widespread clinical use as a primary treatment.
Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome
1-deoxynojirimycin12-methylcarnosic acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
7-Keto-DHEA
Acacetin
Acai berry
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alpha Glucans
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
Alpha phytosterol
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
anchovies
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antirrhinin
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
arabinoxylan
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
Ascophyllum nodosum
asparagus
astragaloside
Auricularia
avocado
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
bean
berberine
beta-glucan
beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-sitosterol
betanin
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
blueberry
Brazil nut
Brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
Calanus finmarchicus
California chia
campesterol
camu camu
capsiate
capsinoids
cardarine
carnosic acid
caterpillar mushroom
charantin
chia seed
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
corosolic acid
crocetin
Crypthecodinium
curcumin
cyanidin
cyanobacteria
cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
D-Pinitol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrocapsiate
dihydrolipoic acid
diosgenin
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
dragon fruit
Dunaliella
Ecklonia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
evodiamine
fisetin
flavanols
flaxseed
Foxtail millet
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
galactooligosaccharides
garbanzo bean
ginger
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
glucomannan
Glucoraphanin
Glucosinolates
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guar gum
Guggulsterones
hydroxycitric acid
hydroxytyrosol
inulin
Irvingia gabonensis
Isoalantolactone
isomaltulose
Kamut
kidney beans
Konjac
krill oil
l-carnitine
Lactobacillus helveticus
Legume protein
Lentil
licorice root
lipstatin
lupin
maitake mushroom
mangiferin
maqui berry
Maslinic acid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Momordicosides
Monacolin
Monounsaturated fat
Moringa
Mulberroside A
Naringenin
Naringin
Neoeriocitrin
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oolong tea
oyster mushroom
Palatinose
palmitoleic acid
peanut
Phaeophyceae
phlorizin
Phycocyanin
Phytoplankton
Pinitol
Pistachio
Pleurotus eryngii
polychitosamine
Polydatin
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pu-er tea
punicalagins
punicalin
punicic acid
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quinoa
Rebaudioside
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
Salacia
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Sesamin
Sesamolin
Sinensetin
spirulina
Sulforaphane
Syringic acid
Tagatose
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
Theaflavin
Thylakoid
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
Vanadium
Vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
Whey protein
Xanthohumol
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by l-carnitine
Addictions (drugs)Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autism
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Congestive Heart Failure
Diabetes
Energy (lack of)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Heart (weakness)
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Peripheral Neuropathy
Triglycerides (high)
Products containing l-carnitine
Designs For Health
Acnutrol™ capsules
Vitabase
Brain Support
Designs For Health
Carnitine Synergy™
Pure Encapsulations
CoQ10 l-Carnitine Fumarate
Integrative Therapeutics
Detoxication Factors
Designs For Health
EndoTrim™
Pure Encapsulations
Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
l-Carnitine
Pure Encapsulations
l-Carnitine
Metagenics
L-Carnitine
Pure Encapsulations
l-Carnitine Fumarate
Designs For Health
Mitochondrial NRG™
Metagenics
MitoVive
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Designs For Health
Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Metagenics
PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Vitabase
Super Fat Burner
Designs For Health
Weight Loss Support Packets
