L-Carnitine

Did you know that a simple amino acid could be the missing nutrient for your heart, blood sugar and energy levels, as well as for weight loss?

I'm always excited when I read about new information on tried and true supplements.

Lately, I've been encouraged by the things I'm learning about L-carnitine.

Carnitine is a natural amino acid made in the liver. You also get it when you eat meat and dairy products. But many of us may be deficient, either because we've adopted a vegetarian lifestyle, or because we're not getting enough of the basic vitamins and minerals from our diet, or because of the medicines we're taking. People taking drugs like allopurinol, barbiturates, or anticonvulsant medications are often carnitine deficient, and so are people who are undergoing kidney dialysis.

It's important to keep your carnitine supplies high, and here's why. First, carnitine helps turn fat into energy. Many people who exercise in the mornings often take L-carnitine on an empty stomach so that their bodies use fat for fuel. This is exactly what you want to do if you're trying to lose weight, so if that's your goal, you may want to include L-carnitine in your supplement regimen.

Carnitine is also showing up in cardiologist's offices more these days. Studies have shown this nutrient to be helpful for angina, artery plaque, cholesterol and triglycerides, and complications following a heart attack. This is why every heart patient should ask their doctor if they could begin taking this supplement everyday.

Diabetics should also consider taking carnitine. In addition to helping lower blood sugar, it is also showing promise as a way of preventing the nerve damage due to diabetes.

Make sure you check with your doctor if you're taking thyroid medication before taking this amino acid, and always get a checkup before starting an exercise regimen for weight loss. If you get cleared to do so, this amino acid could be one of the best single amino acids you can take every day to keep weight and blood sugar down and your heart healthy.

The amount you take depends on your goals, so for information on how to incorporate carnitine into your regimen, just give me a call or visit the L-Carnitine web page.

I'm Guy Evans, and now you know!