The body produces L-Carnitine from lysine and methionine, enabling it to unlock stored energy from fat for cellular use. It transports fatty acids into the 'powerhouses of cells', mitochondria. In certain circumstances, such as infancy and periods of high energy needs like pregnancy and breast-feeding, our bodies may not be able to make enough L-Carnitine and thus it becomes 'conditionally essential'.

L-Carnitine is found extensively in muscle, predominantly in skeletal and heart muscle. L-carnitine aids in the removal of short and medium chain fatty acids from the mitochondria which accumulate during normal metabolism. Clinical studies have indicated that L-carnitine maintained healthy cardiac enzymes including lipid peroxides and lactate dehydrogenase. In combination with other cardiovascular support agents, L-carnitine supported ventricular function and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in human volunteers. Long-term L-carnitine supplementation indicated positive support for cardiovascular health after a 3-year follow-up in adult subjects.*