L-carnitine is sold in at least three different forms, and the labels rarely explain how they differ.
This guide covers what carnitine is, what separates the common forms, the formats available in Australia, and what is worth checking before you buy.
Key points
- Carnitine is a compound the body makes and also obtains from food, including meat.
- The common supplement forms are not interchangeable.
- It is sold as capsules, powder and liquid, and the format mostly affects convenience.
- Dietary intake is generally reported to be lower without meat in the diet.
- Compare products on the amount per serve, not the size of the bottle.
What is L-carnitine?
Carnitine is a compound your body produces and also takes in from food, with meat among the main dietary sources. Intake from food is generally reported to be lower on a vegetarian or vegan diet.
As a supplement it is sold under several names, and the differences between them are real rather than marketing.
What is the difference between the forms?
Three forms account for most of what is on the shelf in Australia.
- L-carnitine. The base form, and the one most products mean when the label just says carnitine.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine. Often shortened to ALCAR. An acetylated form, sold as its own product.
- L-carnitine L-tartrate. Often shortened to LCLT. A salt form commonly found in products aimed at training.
Reading the amount properly
Some labels quote the amount of the salt or compound, and some quote the amount of carnitine it yields. Those are different numbers, so compare like with like when you are weighing up two products.
Which format should I buy?
Format is mostly a convenience question rather than a quality one.
- Capsules. No taste, easy to travel with, fixed serve.
- Powder. Flexible serving and usually better value per serve, but it has a taste.
- Liquid. Convenient, often flavoured, generally the most expensive per serve.
Our full range is in L-carnitine supplements.
When do people take L-carnitine?
Timing depends on the product and what it is formulated for. Products aimed at training are commonly taken before a session, while general supplements are usually taken with food.
The label on your specific product is the instruction that matters, because serve sizes differ considerably between forms and brands.
Important. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take prescribed medication, or are managing a medical condition, speak to your GP before starting any new supplement. Only take oral products that are legal to buy in Australia.
Do vegetarians and vegans need L-carnitine?
Not necessarily, though intake from food is generally reported to be lower without meat in the diet.
Whether that matters for you is an individual question rather than a general rule, and it is a reasonable thing to raise with a dietitian if you are reviewing your diet as a whole.
What should I check before buying?
Four things make most of the difference between two products that look similar.
- Which form it is. L-carnitine, ALCAR and LCLT are different products.
- Amount per serve. And whether that is the salt or the yield.
- Serves per container. The only way to compare price fairly.
- What else is in it. Many training products combine carnitine with other ingredients.
