Essensey L-Carnitine

L-carnitine (incl. L-carnitine L-tartrate)· evidence: Limited

L-carnitine helps carry fats into cells to be used for energy. Your body makes its own, and meat and dairy supply more, so healthy people eating a normal diet are not short of it. Taking extra does not appear to raise the amount in muscle much, which is one reason it does not act as a 'fat burner'.

Reviews of the trials report a small average drop in weight (around 1 kg) compared with placebo, mostly in older or overweight people, often alongside a diet. There is little evidence of a meaningful effect on fat loss in healthy, active people with a normal diet. Small studies of L-carnitine L-tartrate have looked at muscle soreness after exercise, with mixed results.

There is no authorised health claim for L-carnitine, so we make no claims about its effects. Fat loss comes from a sustained calorie deficit, not from this ingredient.

Typical dose: Studies have typically used 1–3 g a day; liquids and capsules usually give 0.5–3 g per serving

Safety: Usually well tolerated at up to about 2 g a day. Higher doses can cause stomach upset, diarrhoea and a 'fishy' body odour. Speak to your GP first if you take thyroid medication or warfarin, have kidney disease, or have had seizures. Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical advice.

Research we looked at:
Pooyandjoo M et al. (2016). The effect of (L-)carnitine on weight loss in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obes Rev 17(10):970–976.
Talenezhad N et al. (2020). Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on weight loss and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled clinical trials with dose-response analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN 37:9–23.
EFSA NDA Panel (2011). Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to L-carnitine. EFSA Journal 9(6):2212.