L-carnitine

Carnitine is obtained from amino acids and can be found in almost all cells in the human body. Carnitine comes in two forms, the D and L forms, which are mirror images of each other in structure. But only L-carnitine is active in the body and is also the form that occurs in food.

Carnitine plays an important role in our body's energy production. Carnitine helps long-chain fatty acids pass through the inner membrane of the mitochondria in our cells, where they are burned to produce energy. In other words, without the help of carnitine, long-chain fatty acids cannot enter the mitochondria, cannot be burned, and not only cannot produce energy but also accumulate in cells.

Studies have shown that in healthy adults and children, their bodies produce enough carnitine to meet their daily needs. For those who need weight management, L-carnitine supplementation is a key consideration. Animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, and milk are the best sources of L-carnitine. Generally, the redder the meat, the higher the L-carnitine content.