One of the supplements that you might not be as familiar with, but is still really important to have, is L-carnitine. This is a type of amino acid that is typically produced naturally in your body, though for different reasons, you might have a deficiency. Here is more information about L-carnitine and why you might need a supplement.
Why You Need L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is still having studies done on the effects, but it has already shown to be beneficial for you in a number of different ways. First of all, it is used when you are someone with seizures. You might have difficulty with seizure medications because of a low level of this nutrient in your body, so you typically take an additional supplement. It can also help with infants who are born premature, as well as helping with cardiovascular health.
L-carnitine is frequently given to people with congestive heart failure, who have had a heart attack or stroke, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. It can help with blood flow, circulation, and even help with disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome and an overactive thyroid.
How L-Carnitine Works
There are a few different types of carnitine, but you really should only be concerned with L-carnitine. When you take this supplement, the nutrients will then travel to your gut, improving your gut health and helping with blood flow along the way.
It helps tremendously with intestinal bacteria, clearing your arteries of buildup, and preventing heart disease. This is why many times you will see L-carnitine in probiotics, which is also useful for dealing with gut bacteria.
Getting L-Carnitine
If you don’t want to take an L-carnitine supplement on its own, you can instead take a probiotic. Just make sure it has the required daily amount to be sure you get sufficient amounts of the nutrient. As far as natural food sources go, the best way to get the nutrient is through red meat, chicken, and seafood, though red meat like beef and pork does have higher amounts of it.
There is up to 162 mg of L-carnitine in a single serving of red meat. You can also get it from some dairy, like milk and cheese, though it is much lower. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, some other food sources for L-carnitine include black beans and hemp seeds.
Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about not having enough L-carnitine in your diet.
