To understand whether L-carnitine is needed, first attention should be paid to general information about this compound. The term is usually called a substance whose structure is close to the vitamins of group B. In fact, it can not be classified as amino acids, although in practice many people mistakenly classify the compound in this way. In the human body, it is produced as a result of the interaction of methionine, lysine. It is extremely important for the normal functioning of organic tissues. Officially, along with the name "L-carnitine" the term "levocarnitine" is used.
Biology and physics
Best know how to take L-Carnitine, doctors specializing in human body chemistry. With a lack of compounds in the body, you can supply it from external sources. The product on sale is a whitish powder, odorless, similar in appearance to sugar, consisting of crystals. The substance is highly soluble in plain water without additives.
Do not underestimate the importance of this compound to humans. Chemists and biologists can tell you why L-carnitine is needed for women and men: levocarnitine takes part in energy metabolism. Without it, the course of such reactions becomes impossible. The substance helps to transfer lipid structures, fatty acids to cells that need these elements - mitochondria. Once in these cell areas, the molecules are processed. The course of the reaction is accompanied by the release of energy, providing the person as a whole with the ability to function.
Relevance of the issue
Doctors, scientists, identifying why L-carnitine is needed, found that the substance plays a significant role in the transport of fats, including to those tissues that consume the most significant energy volumes. It's about muscle fibers. Studies have shown that it is in the muscles that the maximum content of levocarnitine is observed.
As shown by numerous research works, levocarnitine is responsible for various chemical, energy processes in the body. In many respects, the reproductive ability of a man depends on the adequate concentration of this compound.
Historical nuances
In earlier times, people did not know why L-carnitine was needed - in principle, the existence of this substance was not known. For the first time in laboratory conditions, the compound was isolated in 1905. The author of the development was the workers of Kharkov University Gulevich and Krimberg. After another 55 years, it was possible to develop a reaction for the production of the compound in laboratory conditions. After a couple of years, research scientists have formulated what L-carnitine is needed for - it helps move the fatty acids that cells in the human body need.
For the first time, levocarnitine was isolated from meat. This is what became the basis for the choice of the name for the new substance: carnitine has Latin roots, since “carnes” means “meat”. Studies have shown that the highest concentration of the compound is observed in muscle tissue, especially in areas regularly exposed to strong physical exertion. It is this that gives the answer to the question of whether to take L-carnitine - with a lack of compounds in the body, energy starvation of cell structures is observed. However, excessive use or use in a situation where the body does not need it can only do harm. The energy generated through the combustion of fatty compounds requires impressive amounts of carnitine.
It's curious
Particularly noteworthy are studies on reproductive male function and what L-carnitine is needed for - it must be in the eggs, where it is transported by spermatozoa. Without this compound, the occurrence of the correct biochemical reactions is impossible, as a result - a successful conception. However, the connection is necessary for embryo growth. Studies have shown that an adult can receive an irreplaceable substance in different ways, but in a fetus, opportunities are limited by the environment in which glucose is contained in a limited volume, as well as oxygen molecules necessary for an oxidative reaction. The fetus receives energy through fatty structures, acids that break down with carnitine. Therefore, the lack of this compound causes energy starvation, which negatively affects the development of the body.
Finding out how the substance works, in what form and how much L-carnitine should be taken for men and women, evaluating the effect on lifestyle needs of the substance, scientists also studied the chemical characteristics of the compound. In particular, they established how elevated temperatures affect a substance important to humans. The information is significant, because mainly people eat thermally processed products, which means that you need to consider what trace elements they have in their fresh form, but break down during cooking. This is what carnitine is. Many products contain a substance in a sufficiently high concentration, but during the processing they lose their nutritional value. To make up for the lack of a compound, it should be used in the form of a food supplement.
Chemistry and biology
By nature, the human body is created in such a way that levocarnitine is generated in it. If all the reactions proceed correctly, and the person lives a normal life and does not encounter excessive loads, the connection should be enough. The processes of carnitine production begin to proceed at the embryonic developmental stage, which provides the fetus with energy compounds. The egg contains carnitine, which makes it possible to stimulate genetic processes. First, the reaction is started by the substance brought with the sperm, after which it proceeds independently. Typically, the human body itself knows how much L-carnitine is needed per day, and generates these volumes on its own. Responsibility for the production lies with a number of specific cells present in the embryo that persist in the growing and adult body.
Despite the misconception that levocarnitine is an amino acid, in fact, the compound does not belong to this group of substances. Scientists, revealing how the substance is formed, how much L-carnitine is needed for a person, why this compound is present in the human body, discovered features, nuances of generating the compound. Two amino acids become the basis for the chemical reaction, and the product of the interaction is close in structure to them, although technically it cannot be classified as amino acids.
From the first days of existence
Scientists, determining why L-carnitine is needed, found that the substance takes part in the processes of formation of the human body, and is indispensable from the first stages of existence. The active compound is carried by the sperm into the female reproductive cell and initiates genetic processes that allow the embryo to generate its own substance. Further it is used for cell division and fruit growth. All new cells forming in the body of the embryo will produce levocarnitine, the need for which is explained by the need for energy nutrition. Subsequently, carnitine helps generate brain cells. Without it, the correct formation of a vegetative NS is impossible.
Often people are interested in: how much L-carnitine is needed for weight loss? In each case, the dosage is determined individually, as it depends on the reasons that provoked the excess weight. The compound in question affects the functioning of mitochondria, initiating an energy release reaction in them through the transport of lipids. If you ensure a regular flow of substances with food, you can increase the speed of processing fatty acids in the body. Currently, there is a wide variety of carnitine-based fat burners, thanks to which the reactions inherent in the human body are activated. The compound is considered useful, its use does not harm a person, does not bring side effects, if used in a reasonable amount. Dosage should be agreed with a doctor or trainer.
Higher, stronger and cleaner
Italian scientists, who studied why L-carnitine is needed, determined that the substance in question affects brain activity and muscle function. Research devoted to this issue lasted six months. A group of people who wished consumed 2 g of a substance with food daily. All participants noted the positive effect of the compound on the body. Many spoke of improved health and greater stamina. The mood became more stable and positive, the body as a whole managed to be kept in good shape. As external observations showed, the mental abilities of the subjects became more pronounced, people were more physically active.
Among other options for what L-carnitine is needed, do not underestimate the ability of a substance to initiate purification processes in the human body. Biogenic pollutants are eliminated from the body much faster if a person receives sufficient volumes of a useful product. This is due to reactions at the cellular level: harmful metabolic products accumulate in the mitochondria, as they are generated during the processing of lipids. Carnitine helps cleanse these organic elements. Studies have shown the effectiveness of taking the compound in the elimination of poisoning due to the use of alcohol or medications. In case of xenobiotic poisoning, you can also resort to levocarnitine.
No to experience, yes to the right chemistry!
Finding out why L-carnitine is needed, scientists found that resistance increases stress factors due to the compound. The human body, receiving the compound in reasonable quantities, quickly adapts to new conditions. The nervous system receives additional protection, the tissues are not so much harmed by ammonia, glutamate, which enter the human body. Amphetamine is less harmful if it affects the human body. The feeling of depression is weakening. If a person suffers from neuropathic pains, the reasonable inclusion of levocarnitine in the nutrition program will weaken the sensations.
You can find a lot of diverse reviews devoted to store products with levocarnitine. What is it for? Studies have shown that L-carnitine not only effectively fights excess fatty structures in the human body - the product is considered a productive anabolic. For this reason, it produces special sports nutrition. Correct intake of compounds allows you to gain muscle mass faster, since cell proliferation is activated, muscles work more efficiently.
Be healthy with levocarnitine
You can find quite interesting responses telling about the quality of products on carnitine - do not neglect the opportunity to get acquainted with these reviews. Why L-carnitine is needed (it affects the nervous, visual, muscle system) - this can be found out from people who used the compound as a dietary supplement. Many note that vision remains good longer if levocarnitine is regularly taken. Doctors have revealed that this is not a fallacy at all. Under the influence of the active compound, dystrophic processes in the vascular system of the retina are stopped. The substance has the qualities of an antioxidant. The likelihood of getting cataracts in people who use levocarnitine is reduced by an average of 40%. It is believed that L-carnitine is an effective tool for the prevention of worsening eye function.
According to scientists, levocarnitine helps to cleanse the human body of harmful cholesterol accumulations. Under the influence of the substance, the concentration of cholesterol in the circulatory system decreases, which means that the risk of plaque formation on the vascular walls becomes less. The risk of narrowing of the vascular lumen is reduced, the risk of heart attack, stroke is minimized.
Complex effect
Determining how it is right, how much L-carnitine you need to drink in order to achieve a healthy body, increase strength and abilities, scientists have found that the course of taking a food supplement can reduce the influence of harmful factors on the vascular system, protect the heart. This is due to a decrease in the concentration of lipids in the blood. Deposits formed due to the presence of cholesterol affect the functioning of the small vessels that make up the heart's nutrition system. Carnitine normalizes the vascular walls and purifies the fluid flowing inside. At the same time, the substance stimulates metabolic reactions in the muscle tissue of the heart, helps to clear itself of the products of interaction. Clinical studies have shown: the use of levocarnitine in a specialized course can achieve a significant improvement in myocardial condition.
How much do I need?
To find out all the positive effects of levocarnitine on yourself, while not encountering undesirable consequences, you should use a derivative of amino acids in reasonable amounts. A substance is required for a person from the moment of the first hours of life as a fetus, and the need for it does not subside throughout life. For children under one year old, the daily norm is estimated at 30 mg. For an adult experiencing significant physical exertion, reasonable amounts are up to 2 g every day.
As a rule, for children under the age of one year, the daily norm is recommended within 30 mg of the substance, for children under three years old - twice as much. For the age group of 4-6 years, it is shown every day to receive up to 100 mg of the substance, for persons older than but minors - up to 300 mg. Adults can use levocarnitine in an amount of 200-500 mg every day. These indicators describe the daily norms of need that are characteristic of an ordinary person who does not face particularly strong physical activities in everyday life.
Not everything is so standard
The listed norms are a collective phenomenon, averaged, revealed by the results of numerous studies. For each individual person, the parameters may be different. This is due to individual characteristics, daily stress, a tendency to get sick, and external environmental conditions.
If a person is forced to do hard work, the need for levocarnitine increases to 2 g per day. Those wishing to lose weight, as well as those seeking to increase the activity of immunity, people can use the substance daily in an amount of 1.5-3 g. Similar volumes are recommended for athletes. In diseases of the heart, blood vessels, renal and liver disorders, acute infectious process, AIDS, levocarnitine can be used every day in an amount of 1-1.5 g.
How and where?
Normally, levocarnitine is produced in the human body from the first moments of the existence of the embryo. The older the individual, the greater the volume of the compound it requires for normal functioning of the body. If at first everything necessary is generated by the cells, gradually food comes to the first place - the main method of carnitine intake into the body. Studies have shown that for an adult, such a synthesis of levocarnitine is characteristic that covers no more than a quarter of the need for a substance. Others can be obtained with food, nutritional supplements. Take into account that heat treatment of products leads to the breakdown of carnitine. As studies have shown, the substance does not accumulate in the body, is rapidly excreted. This forces a constant replenishment of the vital amino acid derivative.
Mostly in the body, levocarnitine is generated in the kidneys, liver. The production process requires the presence of iron, vitamins, enzyme compounds, folic acid. The lack of any substance leads to the impossibility of the production of L-carnitine. However, the problem can be eliminated by using the product as a dietary supplement, as well as by choosing a diet rich in levocarnitine.
Forming a diet in such a way as to maximize the amount of carnitine obtained with foods, you should look at red fish. The substance is rich in milk and products made on it. Meat should not be neglected, since per kilogram of beef on average accounts for up to 0.8 g of the compound in question.
In vegetables, carnitine is contained in fairly small quantities, but the lack of heat treatment of the product allows you to get the maximum of this substance. Fermented soybean, avocado are the richest of the compound in question.