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The amino acid called carnitine isn’t technically essential, but many have found reasons to add it to their supplement regimen. It’s possible that it may have applications for exercise performance and longevity, but how do you decide which product to buy? We’ve looked at the top products on the market to bring you these excellent options.
Best Carnitine Supplements
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Best Carnitine Supplement Overall
To be a top product overall, you have to check all the right boxes. A product has to be cost-effective, properly dosed, and available in a wide variety of flavors to suit nearly anyone’s taste preferences. Legion Recharge ticks all those boxes, and more.
Legion Recharge
Our top carnitine pick is well-dosed and reasonably priced for the number of helpful ingredients you’re getting. Legion Recharge contains two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate. This form of l-carnitine is combined with a salt of tartaric acid, which is an antioxidant that may help the l-carnitine absorb faster. Legion sweetens and flavors Recharge naturally, and the product is Labdoor certified for label accuracy and ingredient purity. Legion also includes 10mg of corosolic acid, which may be helpful in weight loss and blood sugar support.
Legion Recharge provides over two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate, which is a version of l-carnitine that may absorb quicker. On top of that, you’ll find five grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, which can help you work out harder for longer.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
Those who want a carnitine supplement that also contains other ingredients that could be helpful with fat loss and muscle growth.
Anyone looking for all-natural sweeteners and flavors will appreciate that Legion doesn’t use any artificial ingredients.
People who are looking for multiple flavor options as this product comes in Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Raspberry, Grape, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, and an unflavored option.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Recharge
If you like taking your carnitine in capsule or pill form, you’ll want to look elsewhere as this only comes in a powder.
Those with allergies should be mindful. This product is made in a facility that may process common allergens like milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, soybeans, and wheat.
If you’re looking for a product with a high dose of carnitine, this is it. It also offers other potentially helpful ingredients like creatine and corosolic acid, which combine to create a more robust ingredients list than many other carnitine supplements have.
[Related: Could Baking Soda Be The Best Workout Supplement You’ve Never Tried?]
Best Fat Burner with Carnitine
Many people take carnitine supplements in order to help aid them in their weight loss journey. That’s why a lot of companies have started to introduce carnitine supplements with other fat burning ingredients included. If you’re looking for a carnitine supplement that also packs a fat burning punch, this pick has you covered.
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Many carnitine products contain ingredients that may help with increasing muscle mass, like creatine. This product goes the other route, including ingredients that can help you burn more fat without the addition of stimulants — like caffeine. This product contains 750mg of acetyl l-carnitine, which may make fat more easily available to be burned. Transparent Labs also includes forskolin and cayenne pepper, which can help to burn fat and increase metabolism, too. This product is packaged in capsules with a recommended serving size of two capsules twice daily, both times 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Transparent Labs designed this to potentially help boost your metabolism without extra stimulants to aid in reaching your body composition goals.
10% Off
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
This product uses science-backed doses of cayenne, 5-HTP, and Coleus Forskolin to aid fat loss without the use of jitter-inducing supplements. Use the code BARBEND10 for 10% off!
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Folks who want a full fat burner supplement will like that this product contains other ingredients that can potentially help with fat burn outside of carnitine.
If you’re looking to start out by taking a lower dose of carnitine, this product offers 750mg per serving, which is lower than other products. You can increase the amount gradually over time.
Those who prefer taking capsules rather than a powder will like this supplement.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Athletes who want to drink their carnitine should opt for a powder supplement on this list.
If you’re looking for a high dose of carnitine, you can find doses that are more than double what you will get with this supplement.
This fat burner contains carnitine, forskolin, 5-HTP, and cayenne pepper, all of which may be able to help you during a cutting phase — this is great if you’re looking for more of a fat burning boost along with your carnitine.
Best Carnitine Supplement for Recovery
Carnitine is probably best known as a weight management supplement, but a lot of post-workout products include it for its potential to aid in recovery from workouts. If you’re looking for a carnitine supplement for recovery purposes, this pick is the way to go.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a carnitine supplement within a post-workout drink that can potentially help with recovery and muscle soreness. Not only does this supplement contain 2.1g of carnitine, but it also has 5g of micronized creatine, and 10.5mg of corosolic acid. The idea is that creatine and carnitine can potentially work together, which may help you recover better, and be ready for your next session.
It’s an ideal supplement to take just after your workouts to help maximize gains and potentially reduce soreness. It’s all-natural, and contains no added sugars. Plus, it comes in four different flavors — Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Grape, and Strawberry Lemonade.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
If you want a full post-workout supplement, you will appreciate the additional ingredients here that can potentially help with your gains.
Those who want a carnitine supplement that can help with recovery will like this blend of post-workout ingredients designed to reduce muscle soreness, and boost recovery.
If you prefer a powdered carnitine supplement, this is a great option.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Recharge
Athletes who just want a supplement that just contains carnitine should look elsewhere.
Anyone who wants the convenience of a capsule supp. This is a powder.
This post-workout supplement contains carnitine, creatine, and corosolic acid, which combined, can help with recovery, muscle retention, and muscle soreness after your training sessions.
Best Carnitine Capsules
Sometimes taking a supplement in powder form just isn’t possible or convenient. Maybe you’re traveling, or on the go often. Maybe you just don’t like taking your supplements in powder form. If that sounds like you, then carnitine capsules may be just the product to grab.
Kaged L-Carnitine
If you’re not after funky-tasting powder, sweetened liquid, or filler-filled tablets, Kaged L-Carnitine provides a solid capsule that’s made from plant-based vegetable cellulose, so it’s free from animal products. In addition to using very few ingredients and providing 500mg of carnitine in each one-capsule serving, this product is third-party tested by Informed Sport.
Since one capsule provides 500mg of carnitine, if you’d like to increase your dose, you can just add another capsule to your daily regimen. Each bottle provides 250 capsules at a very affordable cost, so you won’t have to break the bank to implement this supplement into your daily regimen.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the market.
Who Should Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
Those who are looking for a capsule supplement that allows them to easily increase their carnitine dosage by adding another capsule will like this supplement.
Anyone who follows a vegetarian diet. The capsule of this supplement is made of vegetable cellulose, which means it’s a vegetarian-friendly product.
Folks who want a straightforward carnitine supp. This product only contains carnitine without any additional ingredients.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
If you’d rather take a powder or liquid carnitine supplement, you can find better options out there.
People who want a higher dose of carnitine without having to increase the number of capsules they are taking can find carnitine supplements that offer over 1,000mg per single dose.
Again, there isn’t much downside to many of the supplements on this list, and Kaged is no exception. The cost is reasonable, the carnitine dosage can be both high or low depending on how many capsules you take, and the ingredients are vegetarian-friendly.
[Related: The Lifter’s Guide To Magnesium: What This Nutrient Does For Strength]
Best Carnitine For Athletes
Athletes train hard and need to recover even harder. Sometimes, you may need some help along the way with that. That’s where a carnitine supplement comes in. Not only can it potentially help with maintaining your optimal weight for competition, but it may also help you recover better with less muscle soreness for your next training session.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is an ideal supplement for athletes to take post-workout to help potentially maximize gains and reduce muscle soreness. This product packs a solid dose of over two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate in each scoop. L-carnitine has been shown to help reduce recovery times and improve muscle soreness after resistance training. (7) That’s what makes this product with a high dose of carnitine a great pick for athletes looking for a carnitine supplement. Recharge is available in six different flavors, including unflavored, all with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. This product also has five grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, which may help improve muscular strength and power. Recharge keeps the ingredients list short and to the point — only including the necessities.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
Athletes who are looking to try carnitine in combination with their workouts — it’s ideal to take this supplement after you hit the gym.
Those who want a high dose of carnitine will like that this supp provides two grams per serving.
Anyone who wants more than just carnitine in their supp. This post-workout product comes with creatine and betaine as well.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Recharge
Anyone who would prefer a capsule carnitine supplement — this is a powder.
Folks who don’t want other performance-enhancing ingredients included in their supplement. You can find other supplements on this list that are just carnitine.
If you’re an athlete looking to drop a few pounds or stay focused in the gym, carnitine might help. This particular supplement provides a large 2.1g dose of carnitine and other potentially helpful ingredients that you can take post-workout, like creatine and corosolic acid.
Best Carnitine-Only Supplement
So you’re looking for a carnitine supplement, but just want carnitine by itself. It can be difficult to find a high-quality supplement that’s just the one ingredient you want. If that’s the case, we’ve got just what you’re looking for with this carnitine-only supplement in a convenient capsule form.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Many carnitine supplements can contain other helpful ingredients (such as creatine, or even a full line-up of pre-workout ingredients). This is a great option for those who just want carnitine. Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving, and that’s it.
While this dose is on the lower side, if you want a higher dose, you can take two capsules instead of just one. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive when compared across the market.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the market.
Who Should Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
Folks who want a carnitine supplement that just contains carnitine will like this product.
Anyone who prefers to take capsules over a powder. Kaged L-Carnitine is one capsule per dose.
Vegetarians who want a capsule that’s made of a plant-based cellulose.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
If you’re looking for a more robust ingredients list, you can find products that contain other potentially helpful fat loss and muscle-building ingredients as well.
For those who prefer a powder supp, there are other picks on this list that may better suit you.
This is a great, minimal option if you’re looking for a carnitine supplement, and don’t want it to be bogged down with other ingredients you may already have in your regimen.
Best Bulk Carnitine
Buying things in bulk can be cheaper and more convenient than buying in smaller quantities. Bodybuilders know this all too well as they can be seen regularly buying rice by the cart full. If you’re in the market for a bulk carnitine product, our top pick might be the one you’ve been searching for.
BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCL
Buy bulk, save cash, at least if you’re really taking a lot of carnitine. BulkSupplements is indeed the best way to buy up to a thousand servings of carnitine at once, and the quality is superb: it contains absolutely nothing but acetyl l-carnitine.
Additionally, this carnitine supplement is tested both in house and by a third party to ensure quality, and it’s made in a facility free from major allergens.
BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Pure acetyl l-carnitine that's unflavored and lab tested for purity.
Who Should Buy BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Anyone who needs to buy an extremely large quantity of carnitine all at once.
People happy to have their supplements thoroughly tested in house and by a third party for purity.
Folks looking for a pure carnitine supplement.
Who Shouldn’t Buy BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Anyone who doesn’t have a separate container large enough to store all the carnitine.
Those who can’t stand the sour taste of pure carnitine.
One of the recurring issues that arise with BulkSupplements is the lack of resealability of the bags supplements come in. That has the potential to endanger the freshness of the carnitine in the long term, so it is likely best to transfer the powder to a different container. Although that might be tedious, the trade off is getting a huge amount of product for a very low price per serving.
Best Tested Carnitine
All of the products that we include on our lists are high-quality and well-reviewed. Some companies decide to go above and beyond the norm and test their products comprehensively, including third-party testing for each batch of product made. Our top pick for best tested carnitine is from one of those companies.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Acetyl l-carnitine may cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively than l-carnitine (14), and Nutricost provides some of the best supplements on the market. A big standout is that the product is third party tested, plus one little tub provides a considerable 500 servings of one gram each. This pure acetyl l-carnitine product provides 1,00mg of ALCAR per scoop, allowing you to modify the amount you take easily either up or down.
The other notable standout detail about Nutricost is they provide pure carnitine. There are absolutely no other ingredients included — a huge boon for athletes who want to know exactly the amount of every supplement they’re consuming.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) 500 Grams
This carnitine is third party tested and has no extra ingredients at all.
Who Should Buy Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Those who appreciate extensive third-party testing for product purity.
Anyone who wants to avoid all ingredients that are not carnitine.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Those who won’t be able to take all 500 servings before they expire.
Anyone who is unable to pallet the strong sour taste of pure carnitine.
If you value supplements that have been third-party tested, this product from Nutricost will not disappoint.
How We Decide the Best
With so many carnitine supplements on the market, we wanted to make sure we were only recommending the best of the best. We considered price, ingredients, and the form of carnitine when building out our list.
Cost
Let’s start with the obvious decision influencer: price per serving. Of course, the less expensive products will rank higher on our list assuming the number of servings are equal. Like most supplements, buying in bulk can save a lot of coin, but it runs the risk of the product expiring before use. If you’re training for a powerlifting meet, calibrate how many servings you intend to take during your training period working on those squats and deadlifts, and try to line up with a product that offers that requisite number of servings.
Added Ingredients
Not all carnitine supplements are made equal. Of course, dosages will vary from product to product, but some products will also include other ingredients that may or may not be appealing to you. Some examples are added Vitamin B or calcium. If you’re in the market for boosts of the additional ingredient included, then you hit a nice little jackpot. However, if you’re not, there are plenty of pure carnitine options on the market. Just keep in mind that pure carnitine has a sour taste that may not be palatable for some users.
Form
This will come down to preference, but are you looking for a capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid? There are plenty of each on the market, each with their own pros and cons. Liquids are pretty easy to flavor without bogging down with a bunch of unnecessary sweeteners. Powders are usually the easiest way to get pure carnitine. Capsules and tablets might be easier or more efficient to consume for some customers but there is often a number of added ingredients added to make the tablet or capsule. If you have a preference for how you consume supplements, there are luckily options on the market likely to line up with that.
[Related: 10 Kinds Of Creatine And What They All Mean]
What Are the Benefits of Carnitine?
Carnitine can help with many aspects of fitness including, fat loss, energy, and muscle retention. Plus, it may even help with sperm health. Here are just a few of the benefits of a carnitine supplement.
Energy and Longevity
Carnitine can help your mitochondria function and produce energy. Carnitine is a chemical made in the brain, liver, and kidneys that can help your body transport fatty acids to the mitochondria, which can then turn them into usable energy. Supplementing with carnitine may help improve mitochondrial function. Since the mitochondria is key in regulating immunity and aging, a healthy mitochondria can help promote both immunity and longevity. (1)(2)
Fat Loss
Carnitine seems to help move more fatty acids into your cells to be used for energy, so there’s a popular theory that it can be useful as a weight loss supplement. Human studies are mixed, though — some analyses saw significant weight loss, particularly among obese or older adults, while others saw none. (3)(4) More research is needed, particularly in young subjects.
Better Muscle
Carnitine, particularly the form called L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, may help to reduce muscle damage experienced during exercise.(5)(6)(7) This research used doses of two grams per day. There’s also research suggesting that carnitine helps build and retain lean muscle among the elderly, but there’s not a lot of evidence on young, healthy folks. (8)(9)
Better Cardio Workouts
Two to four grams of carnitine per day — a fairly high dosage for most — has seen an increase in anaerobic output, meaning short bouts of high intensity exercise. (10)(11) Short bouts of high intensity exercise include activities like sprints and HIIT workouts.
Sperm Quality
High doses of carnitine — two or three grams daily — appears to increase sperm quality with regards to sperm morphology. (12) Sperm morphology refers to the size, shape, and appearance of sperm. Abnormal morphology can contribute to infertility, so this is especially helpful for those who may be trying to conceive.
What to Consider Before You Buy Carnitine
Since each customer comes to the market with different needs, it’s important to consider your personal goals before scouring the web or scanning shelves at your local supplement shop. Here are a few considerations we would make before buying.
Type of Carnitine
There are several forms of carnitine. L-carnitine is typical, but among others there’s also d-carnitine (which seems to limit your absorption of more usable carnitine, so it may be best to avoid), l-carnitine l-tartrate (perhaps most common in sports supplements as it absorbs quickly) and acetyl-L-carnitine, which is almost identical to regular carnitine but it’s been acetylated, so it may cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. (13)(14)(15)
Dosage
A pretty typical dosage is 250 to 500 milligrams twice per day, though a lot of the research mentioned above used two to three grams a day. It’s usually recommended to start with a lower dose and work your way up, as carnitine can sometimes cause nausea if consumed in higher doses. It’s ideal to buy a supplement with a flexible dosage, meaning you can take single or multiple capsules a day (versus buying a product that provides only a high dosage in a single capsule).
Lifestyle
For your body to produce plenty of its own carnitine, it appears to be important to eat plenty of Vitamin C. (16) Before starting any supplement, it’s important to be consuming a healthy diet of whole foods and implementing regular exercise in your routine. If you’re not healthy outside of your supplementation, no supplement is going to be a cure-all.
Final Word
Carnitine comes in many forms and can help with fat loss, muscle retention, brain function, and even sperm health. However, more than anything, it’s imperative that you speak with a physician before making any additions to your nutrition and supplement regimen. Carnitine in particular can cause nausea and other unwanted side effects if it’s not used properly.
If you’ve spoken to a physician, follow a healthy diet, and exercise regularly, carnitine can be a helpful addition to your supplement regimen for its potential to turn fatty acids into energy, boost memory and focus, help with short bursts of cardio, and more. Many carnitine supplements are pretty straightforward, but a little direction can be helpful when digging through a lot of options on the market — let this list be your guide.
References
1. Iossa, S et al. Acetyl-L-carnitine Supplementation Differently Influences Nutrient Partitioning, Serum Leptin Concentration and Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Respiration in Young and Old Rats. J Nutr . 2002 Apr;132(4):636-42.2. Rosca, M et al. Mitochondria in the Elderly: Is Acetylcarnitine a Rejuvenator? Adv Drug Deliv Rev . 2009 Nov 30;61(14):1332-1342.3. Pooyandjoo, M et al. The Effect of (L-)carnitine on Weight Loss in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Obes Rev . 2016 Oct;17(10):970-6.4. Broad, E et al. Effects of Four Weeks L-carnitine L-tartrate Ingestion on Substrate Utilization During Prolonged Exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab . 2005 Dec;15(6):665-79.5. Kraemer, W et al. The Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation on Hormonal Responses to Resistance Exercise and Recovery. J Strength Cond Res . 2003 Aug;17(3):455-62.6. Spiering, B et al. Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation on Muscle Oxygenation Responses to Resistance Exercise. J Strength Cond Res . 2008 Jul;22(4):1130-5.7. Volek, J et al. L-Carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation Favorably Affects Markers of Recovery From Exercise Stress. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab . 2002 Feb;282(2):E474-82.8. Malaguarnera, M et al. L-Carnitine Treatment Reduces Severity of Physical and Mental Fatigue and Increases Cognitive Functions in Centenarians: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial. Am J Clin Nutr . 2007 Dec;86(6):1738-44.9. Pistone, G et al. Levocarnitine Administration in Elderly Subjects With Rapid Muscle Fatigue: Effect on Body Composition, Lipid Profile and Fatigue. Drugs Aging . 2003;20(10):761-7.10. Jacobs, P et al. Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine Produces Enhanced Anaerobic Work Capacity With Reduced Lactate Accumulation in Resistance Trained Males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr . 2009 Apr 2;6:9.11. Wall, B et al. Chronic Oral Ingestion of L-carnitine and Carbohydrate Increases Muscle Carnitine Content and Alters Muscle Fuel Metabolism During Exercise in Humans. J Physiol . 2011 Feb 15;589(Pt 4):963-73.12. Lenzi, A et al. Use of Carnitine Therapy in Selected Cases of Male Factor Infertility: A Double-Blind Crossover Trial. Fertil Steril . 2003 Feb;79(2):292-300.13. Spasov, A et al. Effects of L-, D-, and DL-carnitine on Morphometric Parameters of Skeletal Muscle and Exercise Performance of Laboratory Animals Receiving Carnitine-Deficient Diet. Bull Exp Biol Med . 2006 Oct;142(4):458-60.14. Traina, G. The Neurobiology of acetyl-L-carnitine. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) . 2016 Jun 1;21:1314-29.15. Trappe, S et al. The Effects of L-carnitine Supplementation on Performance During Interval Swimming. Int J Sports Med . 1994 May;15(4):181-5.16. Steiber, S et al. Carnitine: A Nutritional, Biosynthetic, and Functional Perspective. Mol Aspects Med . Oct-Dec 2004;25(5-6):455-73.
The amino acid called carnitine isn’t technically essential, but many have found reasons to add it to their supplement regimen. It’s possible that it may have applications for exercise performance and longevity, but how do you decide which product to buy? We’ve looked at the top products on the market to bring you these excellent options.
Best Carnitine Supplements
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Best Carnitine Supplement Overall
To be a top product overall, you have to check all the right boxes. A product has to be cost-effective, properly dosed, and available in a wide variety of flavors to suit nearly anyone’s taste preferences. Legion Recharge ticks all those boxes, and more.
Legion Recharge
Our top carnitine pick is well-dosed and reasonably priced for the number of helpful ingredients you’re getting. Legion Recharge contains two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate. This form of l-carnitine is combined with a salt of tartaric acid, which is an antioxidant that may help the l-carnitine absorb faster. Legion sweetens and flavors Recharge naturally, and the product is Labdoor certified for label accuracy and ingredient purity. Legion also includes 10mg of corosolic acid, which may be helpful in weight loss and blood sugar support.
Legion Recharge provides over two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate, which is a version of l-carnitine that may absorb quicker. On top of that, you’ll find five grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, which can help you work out harder for longer.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
[Related: Could Baking Soda Be The Best Workout Supplement You’ve Never Tried?]
Best Fat Burner with Carnitine
Many people take carnitine supplements in order to help aid them in their weight loss journey. That’s why a lot of companies have started to introduce carnitine supplements with other fat burning ingredients included. If you’re looking for a carnitine supplement that also packs a fat burning punch, this pick has you covered.
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Many carnitine products contain ingredients that may help with increasing muscle mass, like creatine. This product goes the other route, including ingredients that can help you burn more fat without the addition of stimulants — like caffeine. This product contains 750mg of acetyl l-carnitine, which may make fat more easily available to be burned. Transparent Labs also includes forskolin and cayenne pepper, which can help to burn fat and increase metabolism, too. This product is packaged in capsules with a recommended serving size of two capsules twice daily, both times 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Transparent Labs designed this to potentially help boost your metabolism without extra stimulants to aid in reaching your body composition goals.
10% Off
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
This product uses science-backed doses of cayenne, 5-HTP, and Coleus Forskolin to aid fat loss without the use of jitter-inducing supplements. Use the code BARBEND10 for 10% off!
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Best Carnitine Supplement for Recovery
Carnitine is probably best known as a weight management supplement, but a lot of post-workout products include it for its potential to aid in recovery from workouts. If you’re looking for a carnitine supplement for recovery purposes, this pick is the way to go.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a carnitine supplement within a post-workout drink that can potentially help with recovery and muscle soreness. Not only does this supplement contain 2.1g of carnitine, but it also has 5g of micronized creatine, and 10.5mg of corosolic acid. The idea is that creatine and carnitine can potentially work together, which may help you recover better, and be ready for your next session.
It’s an ideal supplement to take just after your workouts to help maximize gains and potentially reduce soreness. It’s all-natural, and contains no added sugars. Plus, it comes in four different flavors — Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Grape, and Strawberry Lemonade.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
Best Carnitine Capsules
Sometimes taking a supplement in powder form just isn’t possible or convenient. Maybe you’re traveling, or on the go often. Maybe you just don’t like taking your supplements in powder form. If that sounds like you, then carnitine capsules may be just the product to grab.
Kaged L-Carnitine
If you’re not after funky-tasting powder, sweetened liquid, or filler-filled tablets, Kaged L-Carnitine provides a solid capsule that’s made from plant-based vegetable cellulose, so it’s free from animal products. In addition to using very few ingredients and providing 500mg of carnitine in each one-capsule serving, this product is third-party tested by Informed Sport.
Since one capsule provides 500mg of carnitine, if you’d like to increase your dose, you can just add another capsule to your daily regimen. Each bottle provides 250 capsules at a very affordable cost, so you won’t have to break the bank to implement this supplement into your daily regimen.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the market.
Who Should Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
[Related: The Lifter’s Guide To Magnesium: What This Nutrient Does For Strength]
Best Carnitine For Athletes
Athletes train hard and need to recover even harder. Sometimes, you may need some help along the way with that. That’s where a carnitine supplement comes in. Not only can it potentially help with maintaining your optimal weight for competition, but it may also help you recover better with less muscle soreness for your next training session.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is an ideal supplement for athletes to take post-workout to help potentially maximize gains and reduce muscle soreness. This product packs a solid dose of over two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate in each scoop. L-carnitine has been shown to help reduce recovery times and improve muscle soreness after resistance training. (7) That’s what makes this product with a high dose of carnitine a great pick for athletes looking for a carnitine supplement. Recharge is available in six different flavors, including unflavored, all with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. This product also has five grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, which may help improve muscular strength and power. Recharge keeps the ingredients list short and to the point — only including the necessities.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
Best Carnitine-Only Supplement
So you’re looking for a carnitine supplement, but just want carnitine by itself. It can be difficult to find a high-quality supplement that’s just the one ingredient you want. If that’s the case, we’ve got just what you’re looking for with this carnitine-only supplement in a convenient capsule form.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Many carnitine supplements can contain other helpful ingredients (such as creatine, or even a full line-up of pre-workout ingredients). This is a great option for those who just want carnitine. Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving, and that’s it.
While this dose is on the lower side, if you want a higher dose, you can take two capsules instead of just one. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive when compared across the market.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the market.
Who Should Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
Best Bulk Carnitine
Buying things in bulk can be cheaper and more convenient than buying in smaller quantities. Bodybuilders know this all too well as they can be seen regularly buying rice by the cart full. If you’re in the market for a bulk carnitine product, our top pick might be the one you’ve been searching for.
BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCL
Buy bulk, save cash, at least if you’re really taking a lot of carnitine. BulkSupplements is indeed the best way to buy up to a thousand servings of carnitine at once, and the quality is superb: it contains absolutely nothing but acetyl l-carnitine.
Additionally, this carnitine supplement is tested both in house and by a third party to ensure quality, and it’s made in a facility free from major allergens.
BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Pure acetyl l-carnitine that's unflavored and lab tested for purity.
Who Should Buy BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Best Tested Carnitine
All of the products that we include on our lists are high-quality and well-reviewed. Some companies decide to go above and beyond the norm and test their products comprehensively, including third-party testing for each batch of product made. Our top pick for best tested carnitine is from one of those companies.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Acetyl l-carnitine may cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively than l-carnitine (14), and Nutricost provides some of the best supplements on the market. A big standout is that the product is third party tested, plus one little tub provides a considerable 500 servings of one gram each. This pure acetyl l-carnitine product provides 1,00mg of ALCAR per scoop, allowing you to modify the amount you take easily either up or down.
The other notable standout detail about Nutricost is they provide pure carnitine. There are absolutely no other ingredients included — a huge boon for athletes who want to know exactly the amount of every supplement they’re consuming.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) 500 Grams
This carnitine is third party tested and has no extra ingredients at all.
Who Should Buy Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
How We Decide the Best
With so many carnitine supplements on the market, we wanted to make sure we were only recommending the best of the best. We considered price, ingredients, and the form of carnitine when building out our list.
Cost
Let’s start with the obvious decision influencer: price per serving. Of course, the less expensive products will rank higher on our list assuming the number of servings are equal. Like most supplements, buying in bulk can save a lot of coin, but it runs the risk of the product expiring before use. If you’re training for a powerlifting meet, calibrate how many servings you intend to take during your training period working on those squats and deadlifts, and try to line up with a product that offers that requisite number of servings.
Added Ingredients
Not all carnitine supplements are made equal. Of course, dosages will vary from product to product, but some products will also include other ingredients that may or may not be appealing to you. Some examples are added Vitamin B or calcium. If you’re in the market for boosts of the additional ingredient included, then you hit a nice little jackpot. However, if you’re not, there are plenty of pure carnitine options on the market. Just keep in mind that pure carnitine has a sour taste that may not be palatable for some users.
Form
This will come down to preference, but are you looking for a capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid? There are plenty of each on the market, each with their own pros and cons. Liquids are pretty easy to flavor without bogging down with a bunch of unnecessary sweeteners. Powders are usually the easiest way to get pure carnitine. Capsules and tablets might be easier or more efficient to consume for some customers but there is often a number of added ingredients added to make the tablet or capsule. If you have a preference for how you consume supplements, there are luckily options on the market likely to line up with that.
[Related: 10 Kinds Of Creatine And What They All Mean]
What Are the Benefits of Carnitine?
Carnitine can help with many aspects of fitness including, fat loss, energy, and muscle retention. Plus, it may even help with sperm health. Here are just a few of the benefits of a carnitine supplement.
Energy and Longevity
Carnitine can help your mitochondria function and produce energy. Carnitine is a chemical made in the brain, liver, and kidneys that can help your body transport fatty acids to the mitochondria, which can then turn them into usable energy. Supplementing with carnitine may help improve mitochondrial function. Since the mitochondria is key in regulating immunity and aging, a healthy mitochondria can help promote both immunity and longevity. (1)(2)
Fat Loss
Carnitine seems to help move more fatty acids into your cells to be used for energy, so there’s a popular theory that it can be useful as a weight loss supplement. Human studies are mixed, though — some analyses saw significant weight loss, particularly among obese or older adults, while others saw none. (3)(4) More research is needed, particularly in young subjects.
Better Muscle
Carnitine, particularly the form called L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, may help to reduce muscle damage experienced during exercise.(5)(6)(7) This research used doses of two grams per day. There’s also research suggesting that carnitine helps build and retain lean muscle among the elderly, but there’s not a lot of evidence on young, healthy folks. (8)(9)
Better Cardio Workouts
Two to four grams of carnitine per day — a fairly high dosage for most — has seen an increase in anaerobic output, meaning short bouts of high intensity exercise. (10)(11) Short bouts of high intensity exercise include activities like sprints and HIIT workouts.
Sperm Quality
High doses of carnitine — two or three grams daily — appears to increase sperm quality with regards to sperm morphology. (12) Sperm morphology refers to the size, shape, and appearance of sperm. Abnormal morphology can contribute to infertility, so this is especially helpful for those who may be trying to conceive.
What to Consider Before You Buy Carnitine
Since each customer comes to the market with different needs, it’s important to consider your personal goals before scouring the web or scanning shelves at your local supplement shop. Here are a few considerations we would make before buying.
Type of Carnitine
There are several forms of carnitine. L-carnitine is typical, but among others there’s also d-carnitine (which seems to limit your absorption of more usable carnitine, so it may be best to avoid), l-carnitine l-tartrate (perhaps most common in sports supplements as it absorbs quickly) and acetyl-L-carnitine, which is almost identical to regular carnitine but it’s been acetylated, so it may cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. (13)(14)(15)
Dosage
A pretty typical dosage is 250 to 500 milligrams twice per day, though a lot of the research mentioned above used two to three grams a day. It’s usually recommended to start with a lower dose and work your way up, as carnitine can sometimes cause nausea if consumed in higher doses. It’s ideal to buy a supplement with a flexible dosage, meaning you can take single or multiple capsules a day (versus buying a product that provides only a high dosage in a single capsule).
Lifestyle
For your body to produce plenty of its own carnitine, it appears to be important to eat plenty of Vitamin C. (16) Before starting any supplement, it’s important to be consuming a healthy diet of whole foods and implementing regular exercise in your routine. If you’re not healthy outside of your supplementation, no supplement is going to be a cure-all.
Final Word
Carnitine comes in many forms and can help with fat loss, muscle retention, brain function, and even sperm health. However, more than anything, it’s imperative that you speak with a physician before making any additions to your nutrition and supplement regimen. Carnitine in particular can cause nausea and other unwanted side effects if it’s not used properly.
If you’ve spoken to a physician, follow a healthy diet, and exercise regularly, carnitine can be a helpful addition to your supplement regimen for its potential to turn fatty acids into energy, boost memory and focus, help with short bursts of cardio, and more. Many carnitine supplements are pretty straightforward, but a little direction can be helpful when digging through a lot of options on the market — let this list be your guide.
References
1. Iossa, S et al. Acetyl-L-carnitine Supplementation Differently Influences Nutrient Partitioning, Serum Leptin Concentration and Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Respiration in Young and Old Rats. J Nutr . 2002 Apr;132(4):636-42.
2. Rosca, M et al. Mitochondria in the Elderly: Is Acetylcarnitine a Rejuvenator? Adv Drug Deliv Rev . 2009 Nov 30;61(14):1332-1342.
3. Pooyandjoo, M et al. The Effect of (L-)carnitine on Weight Loss in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Obes Rev . 2016 Oct;17(10):970-6.
4. Broad, E et al. Effects of Four Weeks L-carnitine L-tartrate Ingestion on Substrate Utilization During Prolonged Exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab . 2005 Dec;15(6):665-79.
5. Kraemer, W et al. The Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation on Hormonal Responses to Resistance Exercise and Recovery. J Strength Cond Res . 2003 Aug;17(3):455-62.
6. Spiering, B et al. Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation on Muscle Oxygenation Responses to Resistance Exercise. J Strength Cond Res . 2008 Jul;22(4):1130-5.
7. Volek, J et al. L-Carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation Favorably Affects Markers of Recovery From Exercise Stress. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab . 2002 Feb;282(2):E474-82.
8. Malaguarnera, M et al. L-Carnitine Treatment Reduces Severity of Physical and Mental Fatigue and Increases Cognitive Functions in Centenarians: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial. Am J Clin Nutr . 2007 Dec;86(6):1738-44.
9. Pistone, G et al. Levocarnitine Administration in Elderly Subjects With Rapid Muscle Fatigue: Effect on Body Composition, Lipid Profile and Fatigue. Drugs Aging . 2003;20(10):761-7.
10. Jacobs, P et al. Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine Produces Enhanced Anaerobic Work Capacity With Reduced Lactate Accumulation in Resistance Trained Males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr . 2009 Apr 2;6:9.
11. Wall, B et al. Chronic Oral Ingestion of L-carnitine and Carbohydrate Increases Muscle Carnitine Content and Alters Muscle Fuel Metabolism During Exercise in Humans. J Physiol . 2011 Feb 15;589(Pt 4):963-73.
12. Lenzi, A et al. Use of Carnitine Therapy in Selected Cases of Male Factor Infertility: A Double-Blind Crossover Trial. Fertil Steril...
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Best Carnitine Supplements
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Best Carnitine Supplement Overall
To be a top product overall, you have to check all the right boxes. A product has to be cost-effective, properly dosed, and available in a wide variety of flavors to suit nearly anyone’s taste preferences. Legion Recharge ticks all those boxes, and more.
Legion Recharge
Our top carnitine pick is well-dosed and reasonably priced for the number of helpful ingredients you’re getting. Legion Recharge contains two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate. This form of l-carnitine is combined with a salt of tartaric acid, which is an antioxidant that may help the l-carnitine absorb faster. Legion sweetens and flavors Recharge naturally, and the product is Labdoor certified for label accuracy and ingredient purity. Legion also includes 10mg of corosolic acid, which may be helpful in weight loss and blood sugar support.
Legion Recharge provides over two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate, which is a version of l-carnitine that may absorb quicker. On top of that, you’ll find five grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, which can help you work out harder for longer.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
Those who want a carnitine supplement that also contains other ingredients that could be helpful with fat loss and muscle growth.
Anyone looking for all-natural sweeteners and flavors will appreciate that Legion doesn’t use any artificial ingredients.
People who are looking for multiple flavor options as this product comes in Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Raspberry, Grape, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, and an unflavored option.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Recharge
If you like taking your carnitine in capsule or pill form, you’ll want to look elsewhere as this only comes in a powder.
Those with allergies should be mindful. This product is made in a facility that may process common allergens like milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, soybeans, and wheat.
If you’re looking for a product with a high dose of carnitine, this is it. It also offers other potentially helpful ingredients like creatine and corosolic acid, which combine to create a more robust ingredients list than many other carnitine supplements have.
[Related: Could Baking Soda Be The Best Workout Supplement You’ve Never Tried?]
Best Fat Burner with Carnitine
Many people take carnitine supplements in order to help aid them in their weight loss journey. That’s why a lot of companies have started to introduce carnitine supplements with other fat burning ingredients included. If you’re looking for a carnitine supplement that also packs a fat burning punch, this pick has you covered.
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Many carnitine products contain ingredients that may help with increasing muscle mass, like creatine. This product goes the other route, including ingredients that can help you burn more fat without the addition of stimulants — like caffeine. This product contains 750mg of acetyl l-carnitine, which may make fat more easily available to be burned. Transparent Labs also includes forskolin and cayenne pepper, which can help to burn fat and increase metabolism, too. This product is packaged in capsules with a recommended serving size of two capsules twice daily, both times 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Transparent Labs designed this to potentially help boost your metabolism without extra stimulants to aid in reaching your body composition goals.
10% Off
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
This product uses science-backed doses of cayenne, 5-HTP, and Coleus Forskolin to aid fat loss without the use of jitter-inducing supplements. Use the code BARBEND10 for 10% off!
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Folks who want a full fat burner supplement will like that this product contains other ingredients that can potentially help with fat burn outside of carnitine.
If you’re looking to start out by taking a lower dose of carnitine, this product offers 750mg per serving, which is lower than other products. You can increase the amount gradually over time.
Those who prefer taking capsules rather than a powder will like this supplement.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Athletes who want to drink their carnitine should opt for a powder supplement on this list.
If you’re looking for a high dose of carnitine, you can find doses that are more than double what you will get with this supplement.
This fat burner contains carnitine, forskolin, 5-HTP, and cayenne pepper, all of which may be able to help you during a cutting phase — this is great if you’re looking for more of a fat burning boost along with your carnitine.
Best Carnitine Supplement for Recovery
Carnitine is probably best known as a weight management supplement, but a lot of post-workout products include it for its potential to aid in recovery from workouts. If you’re looking for a carnitine supplement for recovery purposes, this pick is the way to go.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a carnitine supplement within a post-workout drink that can potentially help with recovery and muscle soreness. Not only does this supplement contain 2.1g of carnitine, but it also has 5g of micronized creatine, and 10.5mg of corosolic acid. The idea is that creatine and carnitine can potentially work together, which may help you recover better, and be ready for your next session.
It’s an ideal supplement to take just after your workouts to help maximize gains and potentially reduce soreness. It’s all-natural, and contains no added sugars. Plus, it comes in four different flavors — Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Grape, and Strawberry Lemonade.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
If you want a full post-workout supplement, you will appreciate the additional ingredients here that can potentially help with your gains.
Those who want a carnitine supplement that can help with recovery will like this blend of post-workout ingredients designed to reduce muscle soreness, and boost recovery.
If you prefer a powdered carnitine supplement, this is a great option.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Recharge
Athletes who just want a supplement that just contains carnitine should look elsewhere.
Anyone who wants the convenience of a capsule supp. This is a powder.
This post-workout supplement contains carnitine, creatine, and corosolic acid, which combined, can help with recovery, muscle retention, and muscle soreness after your training sessions.
Best Carnitine Capsules
Sometimes taking a supplement in powder form just isn’t possible or convenient. Maybe you’re traveling, or on the go often. Maybe you just don’t like taking your supplements in powder form. If that sounds like you, then carnitine capsules may be just the product to grab.
Kaged L-Carnitine
If you’re not after funky-tasting powder, sweetened liquid, or filler-filled tablets, Kaged L-Carnitine provides a solid capsule that’s made from plant-based vegetable cellulose, so it’s free from animal products. In addition to using very few ingredients and providing 500mg of carnitine in each one-capsule serving, this product is third-party tested by Informed Sport.
Since one capsule provides 500mg of carnitine, if you’d like to increase your dose, you can just add another capsule to your daily regimen. Each bottle provides 250 capsules at a very affordable cost, so you won’t have to break the bank to implement this supplement into your daily regimen.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the market.
Who Should Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
Those who are looking for a capsule supplement that allows them to easily increase their carnitine dosage by adding another capsule will like this supplement.
Anyone who follows a vegetarian diet. The capsule of this supplement is made of vegetable cellulose, which means it’s a vegetarian-friendly product.
Folks who want a straightforward carnitine supp. This product only contains carnitine without any additional ingredients.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
If you’d rather take a powder or liquid carnitine supplement, you can find better options out there.
People who want a higher dose of carnitine without having to increase the number of capsules they are taking can find carnitine supplements that offer over 1,000mg per single dose.
Again, there isn’t much downside to many of the supplements on this list, and Kaged is no exception. The cost is reasonable, the carnitine dosage can be both high or low depending on how many capsules you take, and the ingredients are vegetarian-friendly.
[Related: The Lifter’s Guide To Magnesium: What This Nutrient Does For Strength]
Best Carnitine For Athletes
Athletes train hard and need to recover even harder. Sometimes, you may need some help along the way with that. That’s where a carnitine supplement comes in. Not only can it potentially help with maintaining your optimal weight for competition, but it may also help you recover better with less muscle soreness for your next training session.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is an ideal supplement for athletes to take post-workout to help potentially maximize gains and reduce muscle soreness. This product packs a solid dose of over two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate in each scoop. L-carnitine has been shown to help reduce recovery times and improve muscle soreness after resistance training. (7) That’s what makes this product with a high dose of carnitine a great pick for athletes looking for a carnitine supplement. Recharge is available in six different flavors, including unflavored, all with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. This product also has five grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, which may help improve muscular strength and power. Recharge keeps the ingredients list short and to the point — only including the necessities.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
Athletes who are looking to try carnitine in combination with their workouts — it’s ideal to take this supplement after you hit the gym.
Those who want a high dose of carnitine will like that this supp provides two grams per serving.
Anyone who wants more than just carnitine in their supp. This post-workout product comes with creatine and betaine as well.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Recharge
Anyone who would prefer a capsule carnitine supplement — this is a powder.
Folks who don’t want other performance-enhancing ingredients included in their supplement. You can find other supplements on this list that are just carnitine.
If you’re an athlete looking to drop a few pounds or stay focused in the gym, carnitine might help. This particular supplement provides a large 2.1g dose of carnitine and other potentially helpful ingredients that you can take post-workout, like creatine and corosolic acid.
Best Carnitine-Only Supplement
So you’re looking for a carnitine supplement, but just want carnitine by itself. It can be difficult to find a high-quality supplement that’s just the one ingredient you want. If that’s the case, we’ve got just what you’re looking for with this carnitine-only supplement in a convenient capsule form.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Many carnitine supplements can contain other helpful ingredients (such as creatine, or even a full line-up of pre-workout ingredients). This is a great option for those who just want carnitine. Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving, and that’s it.
While this dose is on the lower side, if you want a higher dose, you can take two capsules instead of just one. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive when compared across the market.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the market.
Who Should Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
Folks who want a carnitine supplement that just contains carnitine will like this product.
Anyone who prefers to take capsules over a powder. Kaged L-Carnitine is one capsule per dose.
Vegetarians who want a capsule that’s made of a plant-based cellulose.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
If you’re looking for a more robust ingredients list, you can find products that contain other potentially helpful fat loss and muscle-building ingredients as well.
For those who prefer a powder supp, there are other picks on this list that may better suit you.
This is a great, minimal option if you’re looking for a carnitine supplement, and don’t want it to be bogged down with other ingredients you may already have in your regimen.
Best Bulk Carnitine
Buying things in bulk can be cheaper and more convenient than buying in smaller quantities. Bodybuilders know this all too well as they can be seen regularly buying rice by the cart full. If you’re in the market for a bulk carnitine product, our top pick might be the one you’ve been searching for.
BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCL
Buy bulk, save cash, at least if you’re really taking a lot of carnitine. BulkSupplements is indeed the best way to buy up to a thousand servings of carnitine at once, and the quality is superb: it contains absolutely nothing but acetyl l-carnitine.
Additionally, this carnitine supplement is tested both in house and by a third party to ensure quality, and it’s made in a facility free from major allergens.
BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Pure acetyl l-carnitine that's unflavored and lab tested for purity.
Who Should Buy BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Anyone who needs to buy an extremely large quantity of carnitine all at once.
People happy to have their supplements thoroughly tested in house and by a third party for purity.
Folks looking for a pure carnitine supplement.
Who Shouldn’t Buy BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Anyone who doesn’t have a separate container large enough to store all the carnitine.
Those who can’t stand the sour taste of pure carnitine.
One of the recurring issues that arise with BulkSupplements is the lack of resealability of the bags supplements come in. That has the potential to endanger the freshness of the carnitine in the long term, so it is likely best to transfer the powder to a different container. Although that might be tedious, the trade off is getting a huge amount of product for a very low price per serving.
Best Tested Carnitine
All of the products that we include on our lists are high-quality and well-reviewed. Some companies decide to go above and beyond the norm and test their products comprehensively, including third-party testing for each batch of product made. Our top pick for best tested carnitine is from one of those companies.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Acetyl l-carnitine may cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively than l-carnitine (14), and Nutricost provides some of the best supplements on the market. A big standout is that the product is third party tested, plus one little tub provides a considerable 500 servings of one gram each. This pure acetyl l-carnitine product provides 1,00mg of ALCAR per scoop, allowing you to modify the amount you take easily either up or down.
The other notable standout detail about Nutricost is they provide pure carnitine. There are absolutely no other ingredients included — a huge boon for athletes who want to know exactly the amount of every supplement they’re consuming.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) 500 Grams
This carnitine is third party tested and has no extra ingredients at all.
Who Should Buy Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Those who appreciate extensive third-party testing for product purity.
Anyone who wants to avoid all ingredients that are not carnitine.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Those who won’t be able to take all 500 servings before they expire.
Anyone who is unable to pallet the strong sour taste of pure carnitine.
If you value supplements that have been third-party tested, this product from Nutricost will not disappoint.
How We Decide the Best
With so many carnitine supplements on the market, we wanted to make sure we were only recommending the best of the best. We considered price, ingredients, and the form of carnitine when building out our list.
Cost
Let’s start with the obvious decision influencer: price per serving. Of course, the less expensive products will rank higher on our list assuming the number of servings are equal. Like most supplements, buying in bulk can save a lot of coin, but it runs the risk of the product expiring before use. If you’re training for a powerlifting meet, calibrate how many servings you intend to take during your training period working on those squats and deadlifts, and try to line up with a product that offers that requisite number of servings.
Added Ingredients
Not all carnitine supplements are made equal. Of course, dosages will vary from product to product, but some products will also include other ingredients that may or may not be appealing to you. Some examples are added Vitamin B or calcium. If you’re in the market for boosts of the additional ingredient included, then you hit a nice little jackpot. However, if you’re not, there are plenty of pure carnitine options on the market. Just keep in mind that pure carnitine has a sour taste that may not be palatable for some users.
Form
This will come down to preference, but are you looking for a capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid? There are plenty of each on the market, each with their own pros and cons. Liquids are pretty easy to flavor without bogging down with a bunch of unnecessary sweeteners. Powders are usually the easiest way to get pure carnitine. Capsules and tablets might be easier or more efficient to consume for some customers but there is often a number of added ingredients added to make the tablet or capsule. If you have a preference for how you consume supplements, there are luckily options on the market likely to line up with that.
[Related: 10 Kinds Of Creatine And What They All Mean]
What Are the Benefits of Carnitine?
Carnitine can help with many aspects of fitness including, fat loss, energy, and muscle retention. Plus, it may even help with sperm health. Here are just a few of the benefits of a carnitine supplement.
Energy and Longevity
Carnitine can help your mitochondria function and produce energy. Carnitine is a chemical made in the brain, liver, and kidneys that can help your body transport fatty acids to the mitochondria, which can then turn them into usable energy. Supplementing with carnitine may help improve mitochondrial function. Since the mitochondria is key in regulating immunity and aging, a healthy mitochondria can help promote both immunity and longevity. (1)(2)
Fat Loss
Carnitine seems to help move more fatty acids into your cells to be used for energy, so there’s a popular theory that it can be useful as a weight loss supplement. Human studies are mixed, though — some analyses saw significant weight loss, particularly among obese or older adults, while others saw none. (3)(4) More research is needed, particularly in young subjects.
Better Muscle
Carnitine, particularly the form called L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, may help to reduce muscle damage experienced during exercise.(5)(6)(7) This research used doses of two grams per day. There’s also research suggesting that carnitine helps build and retain lean muscle among the elderly, but there’s not a lot of evidence on young, healthy folks. (8)(9)
Better Cardio Workouts
Two to four grams of carnitine per day — a fairly high dosage for most — has seen an increase in anaerobic output, meaning short bouts of high intensity exercise. (10)(11) Short bouts of high intensity exercise include activities like sprints and HIIT workouts.
Sperm Quality
High doses of carnitine — two or three grams daily — appears to increase sperm quality with regards to sperm morphology. (12) Sperm morphology refers to the size, shape, and appearance of sperm. Abnormal morphology can contribute to infertility, so this is especially helpful for those who may be trying to conceive.
What to Consider Before You Buy Carnitine
Since each customer comes to the market with different needs, it’s important to consider your personal goals before scouring the web or scanning shelves at your local supplement shop. Here are a few considerations we would make before buying.
Type of Carnitine
There are several forms of carnitine. L-carnitine is typical, but among others there’s also d-carnitine (which seems to limit your absorption of more usable carnitine, so it may be best to avoid), l-carnitine l-tartrate (perhaps most common in sports supplements as it absorbs quickly) and acetyl-L-carnitine, which is almost identical to regular carnitine but it’s been acetylated, so it may cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. (13)(14)(15)
Dosage
A pretty typical dosage is 250 to 500 milligrams twice per day, though a lot of the research mentioned above used two to three grams a day. It’s usually recommended to start with a lower dose and work your way up, as carnitine can sometimes cause nausea if consumed in higher doses. It’s ideal to buy a supplement with a flexible dosage, meaning you can take single or multiple capsules a day (versus buying a product that provides only a high dosage in a single capsule).
Lifestyle
For your body to produce plenty of its own carnitine, it appears to be important to eat plenty of Vitamin C. (16) Before starting any supplement, it’s important to be consuming a healthy diet of whole foods and implementing regular exercise in your routine. If you’re not healthy outside of your supplementation, no supplement is going to be a cure-all.
Final Word
Carnitine comes in many forms and can help with fat loss, muscle retention, brain function, and even sperm health. However, more than anything, it’s imperative that you speak with a physician before making any additions to your nutrition and supplement regimen. Carnitine in particular can cause nausea and other unwanted side effects if it’s not used properly.
If you’ve spoken to a physician, follow a healthy diet, and exercise regularly, carnitine can be a helpful addition to your supplement regimen for its potential to turn fatty acids into energy, boost memory and focus, help with short bursts of cardio, and more. Many carnitine supplements are pretty straightforward, but a little direction can be helpful when digging through a lot of options on the market — let this list be your guide.
References
1. Iossa, S et al. Acetyl-L-carnitine Supplementation Differently Influences Nutrient Partitioning, Serum Leptin Concentration and Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Respiration in Young and Old Rats. J Nutr . 2002 Apr;132(4):636-42.2. Rosca, M et al. Mitochondria in the Elderly: Is Acetylcarnitine a Rejuvenator? Adv Drug Deliv Rev . 2009 Nov 30;61(14):1332-1342.3. Pooyandjoo, M et al. The Effect of (L-)carnitine on Weight Loss in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Obes Rev . 2016 Oct;17(10):970-6.4. Broad, E et al. Effects of Four Weeks L-carnitine L-tartrate Ingestion on Substrate Utilization During Prolonged Exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab . 2005 Dec;15(6):665-79.5. Kraemer, W et al. The Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation on Hormonal Responses to Resistance Exercise and Recovery. J Strength Cond Res . 2003 Aug;17(3):455-62.6. Spiering, B et al. Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation on Muscle Oxygenation Responses to Resistance Exercise. J Strength Cond Res . 2008 Jul;22(4):1130-5.7. Volek, J et al. L-Carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation Favorably Affects Markers of Recovery From Exercise Stress. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab . 2002 Feb;282(2):E474-82.8. Malaguarnera, M et al. L-Carnitine Treatment Reduces Severity of Physical and Mental Fatigue and Increases Cognitive Functions in Centenarians: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial. Am J Clin Nutr . 2007 Dec;86(6):1738-44.9. Pistone, G et al. Levocarnitine Administration in Elderly Subjects With Rapid Muscle Fatigue: Effect on Body Composition, Lipid Profile and Fatigue. Drugs Aging . 2003;20(10):761-7.10. Jacobs, P et al. Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine Produces Enhanced Anaerobic Work Capacity With Reduced Lactate Accumulation in Resistance Trained Males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr . 2009 Apr 2;6:9.11. Wall, B et al. Chronic Oral Ingestion of L-carnitine and Carbohydrate Increases Muscle Carnitine Content and Alters Muscle Fuel Metabolism During Exercise in Humans. J Physiol . 2011 Feb 15;589(Pt 4):963-73.12. Lenzi, A et al. Use of Carnitine Therapy in Selected Cases of Male Factor Infertility: A Double-Blind Crossover Trial. Fertil Steril . 2003 Feb;79(2):292-300.13. Spasov, A et al. Effects of L-, D-, and DL-carnitine on Morphometric Parameters of Skeletal Muscle and Exercise Performance of Laboratory Animals Receiving Carnitine-Deficient Diet. Bull Exp Biol Med . 2006 Oct;142(4):458-60.14. Traina, G. The Neurobiology of acetyl-L-carnitine. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) . 2016 Jun 1;21:1314-29.15. Trappe, S et al. The Effects of L-carnitine Supplementation on Performance During Interval Swimming. Int J Sports Med . 1994 May;15(4):181-5.16. Steiber, S et al. Carnitine: A Nutritional, Biosynthetic, and Functional Perspective. Mol Aspects Med . Oct-Dec 2004;25(5-6):455-73.
The amino acid called carnitine isn’t technically essential, but many have found reasons to add it to their supplement regimen. It’s possible that it may have applications for exercise performance and longevity, but how do you decide which product to buy? We’ve looked at the top products on the market to bring you these excellent options.
Best Carnitine Supplements
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Best Carnitine Supplement Overall
To be a top product overall, you have to check all the right boxes. A product has to be cost-effective, properly dosed, and available in a wide variety of flavors to suit nearly anyone’s taste preferences. Legion Recharge ticks all those boxes, and more.
Legion Recharge
Our top carnitine pick is well-dosed and reasonably priced for the number of helpful ingredients you’re getting. Legion Recharge contains two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate. This form of l-carnitine is combined with a salt of tartaric acid, which is an antioxidant that may help the l-carnitine absorb faster. Legion sweetens and flavors Recharge naturally, and the product is Labdoor certified for label accuracy and ingredient purity. Legion also includes 10mg of corosolic acid, which may be helpful in weight loss and blood sugar support.
Legion Recharge provides over two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate, which is a version of l-carnitine that may absorb quicker. On top of that, you’ll find five grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, which can help you work out harder for longer.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
- Those who want a carnitine supplement that also contains other ingredients that could be helpful with fat loss and muscle growth.
- Anyone looking for all-natural sweeteners and flavors will appreciate that Legion doesn’t use any artificial ingredients.
- People who are looking for multiple flavor options as this product comes in Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Raspberry, Grape, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, and an unflavored option.
- If you like taking your carnitine in capsule or pill form, you’ll want to look elsewhere as this only comes in a powder.
- Those with allergies should be mindful. This product is made in a facility that may process common allergens like milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, soybeans, and wheat.
[Related: Could Baking Soda Be The Best Workout Supplement You’ve Never Tried?]
Best Fat Burner with Carnitine
Many people take carnitine supplements in order to help aid them in their weight loss journey. That’s why a lot of companies have started to introduce carnitine supplements with other fat burning ingredients included. If you’re looking for a carnitine supplement that also packs a fat burning punch, this pick has you covered.
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Many carnitine products contain ingredients that may help with increasing muscle mass, like creatine. This product goes the other route, including ingredients that can help you burn more fat without the addition of stimulants — like caffeine. This product contains 750mg of acetyl l-carnitine, which may make fat more easily available to be burned. Transparent Labs also includes forskolin and cayenne pepper, which can help to burn fat and increase metabolism, too. This product is packaged in capsules with a recommended serving size of two capsules twice daily, both times 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Transparent Labs designed this to potentially help boost your metabolism without extra stimulants to aid in reaching your body composition goals.
10% Off
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
This product uses science-backed doses of cayenne, 5-HTP, and Coleus Forskolin to aid fat loss without the use of jitter-inducing supplements. Use the code BARBEND10 for 10% off!
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
- Folks who want a full fat burner supplement will like that this product contains other ingredients that can potentially help with fat burn outside of carnitine.
- If you’re looking to start out by taking a lower dose of carnitine, this product offers 750mg per serving, which is lower than other products. You can increase the amount gradually over time.
- Those who prefer taking capsules rather than a powder will like this supplement.
- Athletes who want to drink their carnitine should opt for a powder supplement on this list.
- If you’re looking for a high dose of carnitine, you can find doses that are more than double what you will get with this supplement.
Best Carnitine Supplement for Recovery
Carnitine is probably best known as a weight management supplement, but a lot of post-workout products include it for its potential to aid in recovery from workouts. If you’re looking for a carnitine supplement for recovery purposes, this pick is the way to go.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a carnitine supplement within a post-workout drink that can potentially help with recovery and muscle soreness. Not only does this supplement contain 2.1g of carnitine, but it also has 5g of micronized creatine, and 10.5mg of corosolic acid. The idea is that creatine and carnitine can potentially work together, which may help you recover better, and be ready for your next session.
It’s an ideal supplement to take just after your workouts to help maximize gains and potentially reduce soreness. It’s all-natural, and contains no added sugars. Plus, it comes in four different flavors — Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Grape, and Strawberry Lemonade.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
- If you want a full post-workout supplement, you will appreciate the additional ingredients here that can potentially help with your gains.
- Those who want a carnitine supplement that can help with recovery will like this blend of post-workout ingredients designed to reduce muscle soreness, and boost recovery.
- If you prefer a powdered carnitine supplement, this is a great option.
- Athletes who just want a supplement that just contains carnitine should look elsewhere.
- Anyone who wants the convenience of a capsule supp. This is a powder.
Best Carnitine Capsules
Sometimes taking a supplement in powder form just isn’t possible or convenient. Maybe you’re traveling, or on the go often. Maybe you just don’t like taking your supplements in powder form. If that sounds like you, then carnitine capsules may be just the product to grab.
Kaged L-Carnitine
If you’re not after funky-tasting powder, sweetened liquid, or filler-filled tablets, Kaged L-Carnitine provides a solid capsule that’s made from plant-based vegetable cellulose, so it’s free from animal products. In addition to using very few ingredients and providing 500mg of carnitine in each one-capsule serving, this product is third-party tested by Informed Sport.
Since one capsule provides 500mg of carnitine, if you’d like to increase your dose, you can just add another capsule to your daily regimen. Each bottle provides 250 capsules at a very affordable cost, so you won’t have to break the bank to implement this supplement into your daily regimen.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the market.
Who Should Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
- Those who are looking for a capsule supplement that allows them to easily increase their carnitine dosage by adding another capsule will like this supplement.
- Anyone who follows a vegetarian diet. The capsule of this supplement is made of vegetable cellulose, which means it’s a vegetarian-friendly product.
- Folks who want a straightforward carnitine supp. This product only contains carnitine without any additional ingredients.
- If you’d rather take a powder or liquid carnitine supplement, you can find better options out there.
- People who want a higher dose of carnitine without having to increase the number of capsules they are taking can find carnitine supplements that offer over 1,000mg per single dose.
[Related: The Lifter’s Guide To Magnesium: What This Nutrient Does For Strength]
Best Carnitine For Athletes
Athletes train hard and need to recover even harder. Sometimes, you may need some help along the way with that. That’s where a carnitine supplement comes in. Not only can it potentially help with maintaining your optimal weight for competition, but it may also help you recover better with less muscle soreness for your next training session.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is an ideal supplement for athletes to take post-workout to help potentially maximize gains and reduce muscle soreness. This product packs a solid dose of over two grams of l-carnitine l-tartrate in each scoop. L-carnitine has been shown to help reduce recovery times and improve muscle soreness after resistance training. (7) That’s what makes this product with a high dose of carnitine a great pick for athletes looking for a carnitine supplement. Recharge is available in six different flavors, including unflavored, all with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. This product also has five grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, which may help improve muscular strength and power. Recharge keeps the ingredients list short and to the point — only including the necessities.
Legion Recharge
Legion Recharge is a well-rounded option that includes a solid dose of creatine monohydrate, along with l-carnitine l-tartrate, which may help to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve recovery.
Who Should Buy Legion Recharge
- Athletes who are looking to try carnitine in combination with their workouts — it’s ideal to take this supplement after you hit the gym.
- Those who want a high dose of carnitine will like that this supp provides two grams per serving.
- Anyone who wants more than just carnitine in their supp. This post-workout product comes with creatine and betaine as well.
- Anyone who would prefer a capsule carnitine supplement — this is a powder.
- Folks who don’t want other performance-enhancing ingredients included in their supplement. You can find other supplements on this list that are just carnitine.
Best Carnitine-Only Supplement
So you’re looking for a carnitine supplement, but just want carnitine by itself. It can be difficult to find a high-quality supplement that’s just the one ingredient you want. If that’s the case, we’ve got just what you’re looking for with this carnitine-only supplement in a convenient capsule form.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Many carnitine supplements can contain other helpful ingredients (such as creatine, or even a full line-up of pre-workout ingredients). This is a great option for those who just want carnitine. Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving, and that’s it.
While this dose is on the lower side, if you want a higher dose, you can take two capsules instead of just one. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive when compared across the market.
Kaged L-Carnitine
Kaged L-Carnitine contains 500mg of carnitine per each one-capsule serving. This product is also vegetarian as its capsule is made from a plant-based vegetable cellulose. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the market.
Who Should Buy Kaged L-Carnitine
- Folks who want a carnitine supplement that just contains carnitine will like this product.
- Anyone who prefers to take capsules over a powder. Kaged L-Carnitine is one capsule per dose.
- Vegetarians who want a capsule that’s made of a plant-based cellulose.
- If you’re looking for a more robust ingredients list, you can find products that contain other potentially helpful fat loss and muscle-building ingredients as well.
- For those who prefer a powder supp, there are other picks on this list that may better suit you.
Best Bulk Carnitine
Buying things in bulk can be cheaper and more convenient than buying in smaller quantities. Bodybuilders know this all too well as they can be seen regularly buying rice by the cart full. If you’re in the market for a bulk carnitine product, our top pick might be the one you’ve been searching for.
BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCL
Buy bulk, save cash, at least if you’re really taking a lot of carnitine. BulkSupplements is indeed the best way to buy up to a thousand servings of carnitine at once, and the quality is superb: it contains absolutely nothing but acetyl l-carnitine.
Additionally, this carnitine supplement is tested both in house and by a third party to ensure quality, and it’s made in a facility free from major allergens.
BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
Pure acetyl l-carnitine that's unflavored and lab tested for purity.
Who Should Buy BulkSupplements.com ALCAR HCl
- Anyone who needs to buy an extremely large quantity of carnitine all at once.
- People happy to have their supplements thoroughly tested in house and by a third party for purity.
- Folks looking for a pure carnitine supplement.
- Anyone who doesn’t have a separate container large enough to store all the carnitine.
- Those who can’t stand the sour taste of pure carnitine.
Best Tested Carnitine
All of the products that we include on our lists are high-quality and well-reviewed. Some companies decide to go above and beyond the norm and test their products comprehensively, including third-party testing for each batch of product made. Our top pick for best tested carnitine is from one of those companies.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Acetyl l-carnitine may cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively than l-carnitine (14), and Nutricost provides some of the best supplements on the market. A big standout is that the product is third party tested, plus one little tub provides a considerable 500 servings of one gram each. This pure acetyl l-carnitine product provides 1,00mg of ALCAR per scoop, allowing you to modify the amount you take easily either up or down.
The other notable standout detail about Nutricost is they provide pure carnitine. There are absolutely no other ingredients included — a huge boon for athletes who want to know exactly the amount of every supplement they’re consuming.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) 500 Grams
This carnitine is third party tested and has no extra ingredients at all.
Who Should Buy Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
- Those who appreciate extensive third-party testing for product purity.
- Anyone who wants to avoid all ingredients that are not carnitine.
- Those who won’t be able to take all 500 servings before they expire.
- Anyone who is unable to pallet the strong sour taste of pure carnitine.
How We Decide the Best
With so many carnitine supplements on the market, we wanted to make sure we were only recommending the best of the best. We considered price, ingredients, and the form of carnitine when building out our list.
Cost
Let’s start with the obvious decision influencer: price per serving. Of course, the less expensive products will rank higher on our list assuming the number of servings are equal. Like most supplements, buying in bulk can save a lot of coin, but it runs the risk of the product expiring before use. If you’re training for a powerlifting meet, calibrate how many servings you intend to take during your training period working on those squats and deadlifts, and try to line up with a product that offers that requisite number of servings.
Added Ingredients
Not all carnitine supplements are made equal. Of course, dosages will vary from product to product, but some products will also include other ingredients that may or may not be appealing to you. Some examples are added Vitamin B or calcium. If you’re in the market for boosts of the additional ingredient included, then you hit a nice little jackpot. However, if you’re not, there are plenty of pure carnitine options on the market. Just keep in mind that pure carnitine has a sour taste that may not be palatable for some users.
Form
This will come down to preference, but are you looking for a capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid? There are plenty of each on the market, each with their own pros and cons. Liquids are pretty easy to flavor without bogging down with a bunch of unnecessary sweeteners. Powders are usually the easiest way to get pure carnitine. Capsules and tablets might be easier or more efficient to consume for some customers but there is often a number of added ingredients added to make the tablet or capsule. If you have a preference for how you consume supplements, there are luckily options on the market likely to line up with that.
[Related: 10 Kinds Of Creatine And What They All Mean]
What Are the Benefits of Carnitine?
Carnitine can help with many aspects of fitness including, fat loss, energy, and muscle retention. Plus, it may even help with sperm health. Here are just a few of the benefits of a carnitine supplement.
Energy and Longevity
Carnitine can help your mitochondria function and produce energy. Carnitine is a chemical made in the brain, liver, and kidneys that can help your body transport fatty acids to the mitochondria, which can then turn them into usable energy. Supplementing with carnitine may help improve mitochondrial function. Since the mitochondria is key in regulating immunity and aging, a healthy mitochondria can help promote both immunity and longevity. (1)(2)
Fat Loss
Carnitine seems to help move more fatty acids into your cells to be used for energy, so there’s a popular theory that it can be useful as a weight loss supplement. Human studies are mixed, though — some analyses saw significant weight loss, particularly among obese or older adults, while others saw none. (3)(4) More research is needed, particularly in young subjects.
Better Muscle
Carnitine, particularly the form called L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, may help to reduce muscle damage experienced during exercise.(5)(6)(7) This research used doses of two grams per day. There’s also research suggesting that carnitine helps build and retain lean muscle among the elderly, but there’s not a lot of evidence on young, healthy folks. (8)(9)
Better Cardio Workouts
Two to four grams of carnitine per day — a fairly high dosage for most — has seen an increase in anaerobic output, meaning short bouts of high intensity exercise. (10)(11) Short bouts of high intensity exercise include activities like sprints and HIIT workouts.
Sperm Quality
High doses of carnitine — two or three grams daily — appears to increase sperm quality with regards to sperm morphology. (12) Sperm morphology refers to the size, shape, and appearance of sperm. Abnormal morphology can contribute to infertility, so this is especially helpful for those who may be trying to conceive.
What to Consider Before You Buy Carnitine
Since each customer comes to the market with different needs, it’s important to consider your personal goals before scouring the web or scanning shelves at your local supplement shop. Here are a few considerations we would make before buying.
Type of Carnitine
There are several forms of carnitine. L-carnitine is typical, but among others there’s also d-carnitine (which seems to limit your absorption of more usable carnitine, so it may be best to avoid), l-carnitine l-tartrate (perhaps most common in sports supplements as it absorbs quickly) and acetyl-L-carnitine, which is almost identical to regular carnitine but it’s been acetylated, so it may cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. (13)(14)(15)
Dosage
A pretty typical dosage is 250 to 500 milligrams twice per day, though a lot of the research mentioned above used two to three grams a day. It’s usually recommended to start with a lower dose and work your way up, as carnitine can sometimes cause nausea if consumed in higher doses. It’s ideal to buy a supplement with a flexible dosage, meaning you can take single or multiple capsules a day (versus buying a product that provides only a high dosage in a single capsule).
Lifestyle
For your body to produce plenty of its own carnitine, it appears to be important to eat plenty of Vitamin C. (16) Before starting any supplement, it’s important to be consuming a healthy diet of whole foods and implementing regular exercise in your routine. If you’re not healthy outside of your supplementation, no supplement is going to be a cure-all.
Final Word
Carnitine comes in many forms and can help with fat loss, muscle retention, brain function, and even sperm health. However, more than anything, it’s imperative that you speak with a physician before making any additions to your nutrition and supplement regimen. Carnitine in particular can cause nausea and other unwanted side effects if it’s not used properly.
If you’ve spoken to a physician, follow a healthy diet, and exercise regularly, carnitine can be a helpful addition to your supplement regimen for its potential to turn fatty acids into energy, boost memory and focus, help with short bursts of cardio, and more. Many carnitine supplements are pretty straightforward, but a little direction can be helpful when digging through a lot of options on the market — let this list be your guide.
References
1. Iossa, S et al. Acetyl-L-carnitine Supplementation Differently Influences Nutrient Partitioning, Serum Leptin Concentration and Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Respiration in Young and Old Rats. J Nutr . 2002 Apr;132(4):636-42.
2. Rosca, M et al. Mitochondria in the Elderly: Is Acetylcarnitine a Rejuvenator? Adv Drug Deliv Rev . 2009 Nov 30;61(14):1332-1342.
3. Pooyandjoo, M et al. The Effect of (L-)carnitine on Weight Loss in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Obes Rev . 2016 Oct;17(10):970-6.
4. Broad, E et al. Effects of Four Weeks L-carnitine L-tartrate Ingestion on Substrate Utilization During Prolonged Exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab . 2005 Dec;15(6):665-79.
5. Kraemer, W et al. The Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation on Hormonal Responses to Resistance Exercise and Recovery. J Strength Cond Res . 2003 Aug;17(3):455-62.
6. Spiering, B et al. Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation on Muscle Oxygenation Responses to Resistance Exercise. J Strength Cond Res . 2008 Jul;22(4):1130-5.
7. Volek, J et al. L-Carnitine L-tartrate Supplementation Favorably Affects Markers of Recovery From Exercise Stress. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab . 2002 Feb;282(2):E474-82.
8. Malaguarnera, M et al. L-Carnitine Treatment Reduces Severity of Physical and Mental Fatigue and Increases Cognitive Functions in Centenarians: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial. Am J Clin Nutr . 2007 Dec;86(6):1738-44.
9. Pistone, G et al. Levocarnitine Administration in Elderly Subjects With Rapid Muscle Fatigue: Effect on Body Composition, Lipid Profile and Fatigue. Drugs Aging . 2003;20(10):761-7.
10. Jacobs, P et al. Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine Produces Enhanced Anaerobic Work Capacity With Reduced Lactate Accumulation in Resistance Trained Males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr . 2009 Apr 2;6:9.
11. Wall, B et al. Chronic Oral Ingestion of L-carnitine and Carbohydrate Increases Muscle Carnitine Content and Alters Muscle Fuel Metabolism During Exercise in Humans. J Physiol . 2011 Feb 15;589(Pt 4):963-73.
12. Lenzi, A et al. Use of Carnitine Therapy in Selected Cases of Male Factor Infertility: A Double-Blind Crossover Trial. Fertil Steril...
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