Carnitine FAQs

What is Carnitine?

Carnitine is classified as an amino acid, although it is not an amino acid in the classic sense. Amino acids are generally used by the body for protein synthesis and/or as a neurotransmitter. Carnitine, which is closely related to B vitamins, is primarily used to facilitate the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria of cells for energy production.* This process provides energy to fuel muscles, including the heart, through the oxidation of fat (fat burning).* Muscle cells that use the most energy, particularly heart cells, can benefit by having adequate carnitine levels.*

Where does Carnitine come from?

Natural carnitine is found primarily in red meat, so vegetarians may need to supplement to ensure healthy levels in their bodies. NOW uses only L-carnitine (L-form found in nature), synthesized in a laboratory by a patented production process generating only L-carnitine, and is vegetarian since it isn’t obtained from an animal source and contains no animal by-products. NOW carnitine products are the same form as that found in nature (L-carnitine), with no detectable levels of synthetic D-carnitine.