What is L-Carnitine?

Carnitine is a vitamin-like substance produced from amino acids within your body, and it plays a critical role in the production of energy. It can also be considered an amino acid, because it is a dipeptide made from essential amino acids methionine and lysine. The name is derived from the latin root “carnus” which is translated to “flesh.”It can be found in some meats and dairy products, and in every cell of the human body!

Two forms of Carnitine exist: L-Carnitine and D-Carnitine. The “D” form is not biologically active. This means that it can not be absorbed and used by the human body. L-Carnitine is the supplemental version of carnitine, because it is the naturally occurring form and the most easily absorbed within the body when consumed as a supplement. L-Carnitine is biologically active. There are different types of Carnitine pills that provide the same carnitine benefits; with Acetyl-L-Carnitine being the most effective form.

Adults that eat omnivorous diets will consume from 60 to 180 mg of Carnitine from their diet, but vegetarians and vegans consume only about 10 to 12 mg from certain plant based sources such as asparagus. Your body also produces Carnitine. It is produced in the kidneys and the liver, and stored in the heart, brain, skeletal muscles, and sperm. Its biological function is to transport fatty-acids, particularly long-chain fatty acids, into the mitochondria which is where they are oxidized in order to produce energy for the body.

What Are Carnitine Supplements?

Carnitine supplements can be beneficial for vegans, and strict dieters. Carnitine supplements have been studied since 1937, and can be found in capsules, liquid, tablets, and quick-release gel capsules. There are three different common types of carnitine used as supplements. This includes:

* L-Carnitine-L-Tartrate – this type of carnitine supplement is relatively cheaper and gets into the bloodstream more quickly. It does not absorb in the body any better than the other forms, but it is faster.

* Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine – This form has a unique ability to relax your arteries and enhance muscle pump. It increases your body’s levels of nitrates which elevates the nitric oxide levels in the body. This form also contains the antioxidant glycine.

* Acetyl L-Carnitine – this form is the most easily absorbed by the body. It is carnitine with an acetyl group attached to the molecule. The acetyl group enhances its ability to transport across the blood-brain barrier, where it acts as a powerful antioxidant.

Benefits of L-Carnitine

Overall, carnitine revitalizes your cells and helps your body function efficiently. When you age, the levels of carnitine within your body decrease, and mitochondrial function is reduced. The mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells, and when the mitochondrial function of our cells is reduced, we start to age; like we are slowly losing power.

Who May Benefit From L-Carnitine?

Because they offer so many notable benefits, powerful carnitine supplements can benefit a wide range of people. However, the following groups of people will likely experience the most significant benefits:

* Athletes – Athletes can benefit from carnitine supplements due to their ability to burn fat and help the body build muscle. Carnitine can also reduce fatigue and depress appetite. It is an impressive supplement for hardgainers, which are those in the athletic community who have a harder time building muscle. It increases the strength of the muscles as well. It can reduce fat gains from your workouts and promote a cleaner bulk, as well as assist in cutting fat to lean out your physique. A study revealed that carnitine can improve performance as well by reducing the amount of glycogen stores that the body uses for energy and replacing it with fat stores, which conserves muscle energy and burns fat. This supplement reduces fat, builds muscle, and increases energy – a perfect combination for athletes!

* Vegans and Vegetarians – Vegans and vegetarians are much more likely to have a carnitine deficiency because their diets lack many of the primary carnitine sources. Your body also creates carnitine but getting enough carnitine in your diet can help you stay healthy and lengthen your life. It can especially help those who are changing their diet to become vegetarian or vegan retain their energy levels throughout the shift.

* Dieters – Carnitine is a helpful weight loss tool because it helps convert fat into energy! Those who are dieting to cut down on their extra pounds can supplement their diet with carnitine to enhance their weight loss.

How to Take L-Carnitine

For the benefits of carnitine supplementation to be realized, it has to be taken with food. Carnitine is the most active when insulin levels are higher. Doses of 1-3 g are effective. When taking carnitine supplements, recommended nutritional intakes include:

* 30 to 40 g of carbs

* 20 to 40g of protein

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is more easily absorbed within the body and does not need to be consumed with food to maximize its benefits. This form of Carnitine can be taken between meals.

Are There Any Side Effects?

L-Carnitine has little to no side effects! If you are consuming it in really high doses, which would be about 5 g or more per day, then it could possibly give you diarrhea. Carnitine does interact with certain conditions though. People with these conditions should consult a doctor before supplementing with Carnitine:

* Cirrhosis

* High blood pressure

* A history of seizures

* Type I diabetes

* Peripheral vascular disease

There are some extremely rare side effects that have been reported. These include:

* Body odor

* Increased appetite

* Rash

What to Look for in a Good Carnitine Supplement

There are some key components that separate mediocre carnitine supplements from the best carnitine supplements.

* A quality form of carnitine – Acetyl-L-Carnitine is the pricier and more effective form of L-Carnitine on the supplement market. It is a molecule of carnitine with an attached acetyl group, which enhances the supplement’s ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier and become active in the brain. There, it acts as an extremely powerful antioxidant. Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine is also a good choice. L-Carnitine-L-Tartrate is of the lowest value, but still provides the benefits of carnitine.

* An effective dose of Carnitine – Pay attention to the supplements directions as well, because some may have less than the effective dose per serving, but direct you to take multiple doses a day which equate to the effective carnitine dosage range.

* A reliable company – Make sure that when you are searching for a supplement that you know who the manufacturer is. Supplements that are not produced by a reliable company may not be as effective. Companies that can be trusted may openly state that they are Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified, that they are government inspected facilities, list their other certifications, or have a long-standing reputation.

Taurine Supplements Guide

This guide is all about the best taurine supplements, and how they can benefit your health.

What is Taurine?

Taurine is an amino acid that is sometimes called the “wonder molecule” by researchers because it is an extremely beneficial amino acid for your health. Found in the body naturally, it tends to be more highly concentrated in the brain, heart, eyes and muscles. It is semi-essential and not involved in the synthesis of proteins. It contains sulfur and is important to the metabolization of fats.

Taurine also plays a role in certain metabolic processes, such as detoxification, bile acid conjugation, membrane stabilization, modulation of cellular calcium levels, and osmoregulation. In simple terms, it helps regulate the levels of water and minerals in the blood and supports neurological development.

It was first isolated and discovered by two German scientists in 1827 from the bile of an ox. The name comes from the Latin root taurus, which means bull or ox. This is why there are rumors that taurine comes from bull pee or bull semen. Do not despair, taurine is not extracted from bull pee or semen and Snopes.com has dedicated an article to this debunking this claim.

Taurine is found naturally in fish, meat, breast milk and is often used in energy drinks and infant formula. It is used in energy drinks because studies show that taurine may enhance athletic performance. The taurine used in supplements and products is produced synthetically and is not derived from any animal or food product.

All of the world’s longest living populations have a high dietary intake of taurine, which has researchers very interested in its benefits. One of these populations includes the population of Okinawa island in Japan, which has been coined Japan’s “Island of Longevity.” There are many taurine health benefits, and supplementing with taurine can support your cardiovascular health and immune system health, and may enhance athletic performance.

Benefits of Taurine

The overall benefits of taurine include:

* May help improve athletic performance

* May help balance electrolytes

* Supports the immune system

* Acts as an inflammatory agent

* Functions as an antioxidant

* May help detoxify the body

* May help balance the body

* Supports overall health

Overall, taurine helps balance the body which promotes better health holistically. Taking taurine supplements can improve your mental and physical well-being, resulting in better overall health and improved quality of life. If you are looking to improve your health holistically, the best taurine supplements can help you achieve optimal health.

Who Can Benefit from Taking Taurine?

* Athletes – Strong taurine supplements are known to enhance athletic performance by enhancing physical and mental abilities. It improves mental performance by enhancing one’s ability to concentrate, which is highly beneficial for an endurance athlete, because endurance is half a mental game. Physically, taurine has been shown to improve oxygen transport and use in the body, which can improve endurance exercise duration. A study conducted in 2003 showed that taurine can significantly increase the maximum capacity of a person’s body to transport and use oxygen. It also supports the balance of electrolytes in the body which improves stamina. The researchers attributed this result to taurine’s antioxidant and cellular health properties. It can also help to prevent or alleviate muscle cramping.

How to Take Taurine

Taurine is effective at dosages between 500 mg and 2000 mg. It is also water soluble, which means it does not have to be taken with food. It can be taken at any time of the day that is convenient for you. Some athletes suggest taking it as a pre workout.

Are There Any Side Effects?

There are no common or consistent side effects of taurine, and most people will not experience any side effects at all. As with any supplement or new food item, it may cause gastrointestinal side effects, but this has not been frequently reported.

Things to Look for in a Good Taurine Supplement

When looking for a good taurine supplement, you should pay attention to multiple different aspects of the product. The first and most important thing to evaluate is what is actually in the supplement. The best taurine supplements will provide you with a quality taurine dosage, and will not use proprietary blends and fillers.

For taurine, you also want to look for a supplement that is available in powder form, because a raw taurine powder can be measured into different dosages depending on your needs. Taurine pills with smaller doses per pill work well, also. With taurine, having that flexibility is a benefit, because it allows you to personalize your dose.

Another important aspect to pay attention to is the brand. The reputation of a brand is important to note when searching for an effective taurine supplement. A reliable brand will be entirely transparent about what they put in their product, and they generally will not use things such as “proprietary blends” or “complexes” in their products. They also will be upfront about their manufacturing facilities, and many reliable brands will tell you that they follow FDA guidelines or they are GMP certified.

Finally, you should evaluate the value of the product through comparison to other products. If the value of the product does not seem to match the price, it may not be the best choice. The best taurine supplements are honestly priced, and give the customer a quality product at an affordable price.