About Carnitine

Carnitine, also known as levocarnitine, is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative. Carnitine can be produced by the body with the help of the essential amino acids methionine and lysine. The majority of carnitine is stored in the skeletal muscle but also in the liver and the heart as well.  

Carnitine plays many important roles. It has an active role in energy production and transports chains of fatty acids into the mitochondria (the “powerhouse” of the cell) where they can be used as fuel. Magnesium, vitamin C, iron, and vitamins B3, B6, B9, and B12 are necessary for synthesizing carnitine.

Carnitine is important in fatty acid oxidation and muscle energy production in sports. It is believed to improve endurance sports performance but lacks scientific evidence. However, carnitine appears to reduce cellular damage and soreness after an excessive effort and may reduce recovery time.

Biostarks reference ranges for carnitine

• Carnitine (Car-S): 25-80 umol/L

Scientific references:

• Kendler, B. S. (1986). Carnitine: an overview of its role in preventive medicine. Preventive medicine, 15(4), 373-390.
• Borum, P. R., & Bennett, S. G. (1986). Carnitine as an essential nutrient. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 5(2), 177-182.
• Steiber, A., Kerner, J., & Hoppel, C. L. (2004). Carnitine: a nutritional, biosynthetic, and functional perspective. Molecular aspects of medicine, 25(5-6), 455-473.
• Gnoni, A., Longo, S., Gnoni, G. V., & Giudetti, A. M. (2020). Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?. Molecules, 25(1), 182.
• Evangeliou, A., & Vlassopoulos, D. (2003). Carnitine metabolism and deficit-when supplementation is necessary?. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 4(3), 211-219.