Description

What is L-Carnitine?

L-Carnitine is an amino acid composite – one of the building blocks of protein. It is known to increase the number of androgen receptors in muscles. These receptors allow muscle to utilize testosterone resulting in an enhanced ability to build muscle. It also enhances the body’s ability to metabolize fat thereby enhancing energy levels. For body builders, this means faster muscle building and for dieters, the combination of L-Carnitine and exercise enhances fat burning. L-Carnitine has become a popular supplement in the fitness industry and is now available in both oral and injectable supplements.

Benefits of L-Carnitine

Medically, this amino acid is used to treat heart and circulatory system disorders. It is also used to combat muscle disorders in AIDS patients as well as being used in the treatment of male infertility. The range of conditions in which L-Carnitine is prescribed include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Lyme disease, an overactive thyroid and also as a means of boosting physical performance and endurance.

L-Carnitine enhances energy production, improves heart and brain function and muscular co-ordination. As a result, it enhances muscle building, increases HGH levels and improves strength and stamina thanks to extra energy and a better potential for building new muscle tissue.

L-Carnitine Shots for Weight Loss

Using an L-carnitine injection for slimming might sound like a drastic step, but for those of us who are exercising well, eating sensibly and still not losing weight, it could be a godsend. The science behind it makes sense. Since the body itself synthesizes L-Carnitine, a fairly simple amino acid, you can be sure that it’s very safe.

Using these shots for weight loss encourages the metabolism of fat by helping the transfer of fatty acids to the power houses of the cells, the mitochondria. It increases the body’s ability to release stored fat in the form of triglycerides which provide more energy to the body. Your diet becomes easier to stick to because you have sufficient energy and you are able to get more fat burning power out of your workouts.

L-carnitine and weight loss go hand in hand – provided you also watch your lifestyle. Critics say that there is no ‘magic bullet’ and they’re perfectly right. Never believe anyone who says that a supplement on its own is going to help you lose weight. You will also need to watch your diet and exercise – but your weight loss and energy levels will be enhanced thanks to increased fat burning potential.

L-Carnitine Injections for Bodybuilding

What do bodybuilders want? They want more lean muscle and a lower body fat percentage. Will L-carnitine injections enhance the process? They certainly will. This is because they help your muscles to burn fat. That means more energy for even more fat-burning and muscle building.

You’ll be able to take your workouts to a higher level of intensity than before while burning more fat than you otherwise would. Your recovery time will also be quicker allowing you to work out again sooner. That’s because L-Carnitine is known to help your muscles to get rid of lactate, a product of exercise that makes your muscles ache. Allowing time for lactate to clear is one of the reasons why you need recovery time between training sessions. Using these injections for bodybuilding really works and you’ll hear a lot of buzz about it in the fitness world.

L-Carnitine is known to enhance athletic performance – that’s why competitive athletes aren’t allowed to use it. However, if you’re not competing, there’s no reason to avoid it. There are no serious health risks – in fact, unlike harmful steroids – they actually benefit your overall health.

Additional Benefits of L-Carnitine

L-carnitine shots are more than just a quick fix that helps you lose weight and gain muscle. The medical uses for this nutrient will give you some clues. It is used to treat ADHD and Alzheimer’s – you’ll be able to concentrate better and overall brain function is improved. It’s also used for the treatment of heart and cardiovascular disease – if you use it, you’re less likely to develop these problems.

Many of us are concerned about a decrease in bone-density as we age and L-Carnitine is believed to improve bone density.

Plus, because it is a powerful antioxidant, it helps your body to get rid of toxins – the by-products of physical processes that sometimes build up making us more prone to illnesses such as cancer. That’s not all: thanks to the improvement in your fat metabolism, you’re also less likely to get Type 2 Diabetes, a disease that has been on the rise owing to modern lifestyles.

L-Carnitine is used in the treatment of male infertility, so if you’ve been trying to conceive without success, it could be the answer you’re looking for. To top it all, it can improve the texture and appearance of your skin.

Combining L-Carnitine and L-Arginine

These 2 amino acids are often combined for even more therapeutic benefit. The combination is favorable, adding the L-Arginine ensures improved HGH and protein production. In addition, the body is better able to produce Nitric Oxide which helps to improve blood circulation and which may have the ‘side effect’ of improved delivery of nutrients and which may improve sexual ability in men. You can also purchase US pharmacy manufactured L-Carnitine/L-Arginine via an online telemedicine service.

L-Carnitine Reviews

You won’t have far to look if you’re looking for reviews on L-Carnitine. Most users claim that it improved their overall health and that they experienced a positive impact on their energy levels and stamina.

One reviewer said that Acetyl-L Carnitine failed to show weight loss effects, but that she had successfully lost weight with L-Carnitine. A bodybuilder commented that unlike other supplements, it did not make him feel ‘weird’. An elderly patient commented on its effect on mental clarity.

Almost all reviewers remarked that they experienced a feeling of increased energy and that they experienced accelerated weight loss. Yet another reviewer warns that one should be careful of products formulated outside of the US.

Of course, every product has its critics, but the majority of reviews from people who have used the product, even over extended periods of time, are very favorable.

Does L-Carnitine Really Work?

The widespread use of L-Carnitine in the fitness industry is testament to the fact that it is seen as an effective way to burn fat and build muscle. Fitness professionals also cite quicker muscle recovery after exercise. Scientific research on the medical benefits of L-Carnitine suggest that it has a wide range of medical applications including the prevention of heart disease, the improvement of sexual functioning and as a treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease.

How Long Does it Take to See Results?

The improved energy that L-Carnitine gives you can be felt as soon as it is absorbed into the bloodstream. That’s why you should use it pre-workout to amplify your results. In terms of enhanced fat loss, you can expect measurable results within 2 weeks providing you are combining it with a healthy diet and exercise.

Injectable L-Carnitine vs Oral Supplements

You may wonder, is injectable L-Carnitine better than oral L-Carnitine formulations? Many would argue that the answer to this question is a resounding – ‘Yes’! Here’s why…

There are various ways of taking L-Carnitine, but absorption of supplements by the digestive system is not as effective as we might wish. Whilst absorption into the blood via the capillaries found in the nostrils and under the tongue is more effective, much of the active ingredient is lost. Administering L-Carnitine via an injection ensures that your body gets the full dose and all the associated benefits.

When administered using an intramuscular injection, carnitine will be absorbed from the muscle directly into the bloodstream ensuring an easily controllable dose and guaranteed absorption. In addition to this, there is evidence to suggest that L-Carnitine is more effective when administered via injection indicating that the best L-Carnitine supplement will always be the injectable format.

Of course, using an injectable form of any supplement means that you need to be extra-sure about its origins. For example, many of the injectable L-Carnitine supplements found on the market are intended for veterinary purposes only (for race horses and greyhounds). Some products may contain none of the amino acid whatsoever. When buying L-Carnitine, ensure that the product you get is for humans and that it comes from a reputable, regulated compounding pharmacy in the US. You can do this by enrolling in a telemedicine program online and once a doctor has reviewed your information and approved your use of l-carnitine, the injections will be shipped to you from the pharmacy.

 L-Carnitine Injections for Humans vs Animals

L-Carnitine has long been used in veterinary medicine, and the interesting results produced by research in veterinary medicine led to its re-formulation into a human supplement. The confusion between these two different uses for L-Carnitine have led to sensational headlines stating that ‘horse medicine’ or ‘greyhound medicines’ are being used by athletes. This is not necessarily true as most athletes with a scrap of common sense will avoid medicines formulated for animals. This is because veterinary medicines are formulated using a less rigorous set of standards than those intended for human use.

A Guide to Using Injectable L-Carnitine

Before making the decision to use L-Carnitine, either as an injection on its own or in a combination such as the Arginine/Carnitine Combo, there are a few things you might want to know. Below we have attempted to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about using L-Carnitine injections.

How Do I Inject L-Carnitine?

Intramuscular injections are required to allow for slow release of the L-Carnitine into the bloodstream. The best sites for this type of injection are the buttock and thigh. If you choose the former, you will need someone to help you with the injection. It is possible to inject yourself in the thigh, but the density of the muscles will result in your feeling the shot a little more. For instructions on how to administer an intramuscular injection, including detailed infographics click here.

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Here are some important things to keep in mind:

• Do NOT inject L-Carnitine intravenously
• L-Carnitine can be taken any time of day but is best taken pre-exercise
• Do NOT use L-Carnitine if you are pregnant or breast feeding
• Change the injection site regularly to prevent scarring (1 inch apart is ideal)
• Dispose of used needles correctly
• Always follow storage and dosing instructions given
• Consult a doctor if you are taking medications or have any preexisting medical conditions

What is the Recommended Dose for L-Carnitine?

This is something that should be determined with the assistance of your prescribing practitioner. The standard dose for L-Carnitine is 500 – 1500 mg per day. Do not administer more than 2000mg daily unless under medical supervision. In general, a dose of 500mg is administered 30 minutes before a workout. If you are using L-Carnitine from NewEdgeHealth.com, this equates to 1ml per day since each ml contains 500mg. The Argnine/Carnitine Combo is administered in a similar way.

How Often Should I Use It?

Some people choose to use L-Carnitine less frequently, but positive research results were obtained when administered on a daily basis. If you are using daily L-Carnitine injections, it is a good idea to cycle off them every 5 weeks and give your body a 2-3 week break from it between rounds.

What Type of Needle Should I Use?

Since these are best injected intramuscularly, a standard 15.9mm needle for intramuscular injections is recommended. These should be supplied when you purchase the L-Carnitine solution.

How Should I Choose My Injection Site?

There are several possible sites for intra-muscular injections, but the buttock and thigh are considered to be the best sites. If someone can help you with the injection, the buttock is the most painless injection site, while the thigh is the most convenient and accessible site if you are injecting yourself.

To choose the injection site on your thigh, place your hand at the front and top of your thigh and imagine a rectangle below your fingertips. Determine the lower limit of the area by placing your hand at the top of the knee. An imaginary line drawn through the center of this field represents the best injection site on the thigh.

If someone is helping you to inject your buttock, they can use an alcohol swab to draw a line from the top of the buttock crack to the side. Begin 3 inches from the center of the line and draw a line downwards, bisecting the first line. The upper, outer quadrant contains a curved bone and the injection site is just beneath this.

Does it Hurt to Inject L-Carnitine?

L-carnitine injections are no more painful than other shots. Limit discomfort by:

• Injecting the buttock. It hardly hurts at all and recovers quickly.
• Ensuring that the alcohol you used to disinfect the skin is properly dry before proceeding with the injection.
• Injecting the solution slowly.
• Relaxing the muscle during the injection.

Side Effects of L-Carnitine

L carnitine shots – or anything you inject into your body should not be taken lightly – that’s why you want to know about any potential side effects.

According to doctors, the only serious contra-indication is a tendency towards seizures. If you experience seizures, you should not use L-Carnitine. If you suffer from an under-active thyroid, your condition may or may not be aggravated. There is no information on its effects in pregnant women, so to be on the safe side, it should be avoided during pregnancy and breast feeding.

Consult your doctor if you are using thyroid medications or blood-thinning agents such as Warfarin or Acenocoumarol as the dose may have to be adjusted owing to improved blood circulation.

In rare cases, minor L-carnitine side effects such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea as well as dizziness and headaches have been reported.

Most healthy individuals do not experience any side effects of these injections. Because the body excretes any excess easily, you can’t overdose. However, more is not better since it will simply be excreted. Stick to the recommended dose if only to save yourself some money!

Are There Negative Effects on My Health?

A widely publicized study stated that there was a link between L-Carnitine and arteriosclerosis. This directly conflicts with other research that found L-Carnitine beneficial in treating and preventing heart disease. Who is right?

Whenever we look at research findings, it is interesting to see how the study was conducted. There are serious flaws in the study that found potentially harmful effects for L-Carnitine users. The bulk of the data was accumulated by using mice as test subjects. Only 6 human subjects were involved in the study – far too few to produce a significant statistical result. The less sensationalized study is more believable and produced results showing that L-Carnitine actually prevents heart disease.

Contrary to L-Carnitine being linked to any health risks, it is more likely to boost your body’s functioning and prevent disease.