L-carnitine is a natural substance that’s crucial for producing energy in the body. L-carnitine is also involved in many other metabolic processes and has various health benefits.
L-carnitine can be obtained from food, especially meat and dairy products. The body can also synthesize it from the amino acids methionine and lysine. However, some people may have low levels of L-carnitine due to genetic disorders, medical conditions, or certain medications. In these cases, L-carnitine supplementation may be necessary to prevent or treat carnitine deficiency.
Injectable L-carnitine is a prescription medication that you can inject into your muscles by yourself. Of course, a health professional can also do it for you, but it makes sense to pick up that skill for yourself since it’s not going to be a one-time thing. It’ll be a part of your routine, and you’d be saving up a lot of $$ by avoiding the doctor’s fee every time. It’s why so many diabetic patients administer insulin shots to themselves — it just makes more sense that way.
Injectable L-carnitine is used by many athletes and bodybuilders to enhance their performance, muscle growth, and fat loss.
How does injectable L-carnitine work?
Injectable L-carnitine works by increasing the levels of L-carnitine in the blood and tissues. This allows more fatty acids to be carried to the mitochondria for producing energy. This improves the function of the heart, liver, muscles, and other organs that depend on fatty acids for fuel.
Injectable L-carnitine may also have other benefits, such as:
- Reducing the accumulation of toxic organic acids in patients with metabolic disorders that impair fatty acid oxidation
- Better oxygen delivery to the heart and muscles through improved blood flow
- Reducing muscle damage and inflammation after exercise
- Enhancing insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism
- Modulating immune system function and antioxidant status
How long does it take for injectable L-carnitine to work?
The onset and duration of action of injectable L-carnitine may vary depending on several factors, such as:
- The dose and frequency of administration
- The severity and cause of carnitine deficiency
- The individual’s age, weight, metabolism, and health status
- The type and intensity of physical activity
Generally, injectable L-carnitine can raise blood levels of L-carnitine within minutes after administration. However, the effects aren’t noticeable right away in the tissues and organs. For example, one study found that intravenous L-carnitine increased muscle carnitine content by 15% after 3 hours and by 21% after 24 hours. With that said, injecting it directly into the muscle can have quicker results, and this method is highly popular among people using it for athletic reasons.
The duration of action of injectable L-carnitine may also vary depending on how quickly the body uses or eliminates it. For example, another study found that intravenous L-carnitine increased plasma carnitine levels by 10-fold after 30 minutes, but they returned to baseline after 4 hours.
Therefore, it’s tough to make a precise comment on how long injectable L-carnitine takes to work. It may depend on the individual’s response and goals. Some people may notice an improvement in their symptoms or performance within hours or days, while others may need weeks or months to see optimal results.
Does L-carnitine work if you don’t have a carnitine deficiency?
Most healthy people can produce enough L-carnitine from their own body or get it from their diet. Therefore, they do not need to take injectable L-carnitine or other supplements to prevent or treat carnitine deficiency.
However, some people may wonder if taking extra L-carnitine can have additional benefits for their health or performance, even if they don’t have a carnitine deficiency. The answer to this question is not clear-cut, as different forms of L-carnitine may have different effects on different outcomes.
According to a review of 20 studies, injectable L-carnitine may improve the survival and recovery of patients with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) by reducing the risk of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), angina (chest pain), and heart failure.
Another review of 13 studies found that injectable L-carnitine may improve exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure. However, more research is required to gather stronger evidence to confirm these effects.
Injectable L-carnitine may also have some benefits for patients with kidney disease who undergo hemodialysis. Hemodialysis can cause carnitine depletion and lead to anemia (low red blood cell count), muscle weakness, fatigue, and inflammation. Injectable L-carnitine may help prevent or treat these complications by increasing carnitine levels and improving erythropoiesis (red blood cell production), muscle function, and inflammatory status.
However, injectable L-carnitine does not seem to have any significant benefits for healthy people who do not have a carnitine deficiency or a specific medical condition that requires carnitine supplementation. For example, a meta-analysis of 21 studies found that injectable L-carnitine had no effect on body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, or waist circumference in overweight or obese adults. With that said, taking it for athletic reasons in higher doses has shown to be highly effective.
Taken in higher doses, it’s shown promising results for athletes and bodybuilders. How high the dose needs to be is subjective, though, because the more your muscle mass, the bigger the dose needs to be. However, more research is needed to explore the potential effects of different doses, forms, and combinations of L-carnitine on various health and performance outcomes.
Similarly, a systematic review of 11 studies found that injectable L-carnitine had no effect on physical performance, oxygen consumption, lactate levels, or perceived exertion in healthy adults.
Therefore, it appears that injectable L-carnitine in low doses doesn’t do much for enhancing weight loss or exercise performance in healthy people who do not have carnitine deficiency.
How to use injectable L-carnitine safely and effectively?
Typically, injectable L-carnitine is given once or twice a week at a dose of 50 mg per kg of body weight — but that’s for people with deficiencies. Professional bodybuilders can take way higher doses and much more frequently. It’s advisable to speak to your GP before taking this supplement, since even though it’s natural, it may not be suitable for people with some underlying health conditions.
Injectable L-carnitine can be taken as an intramuscular injection into a large muscle, such as the buttock, thigh, or upper arm. The injection site should be cleaned with alcohol and the needle should be inserted at a 90-degree angle to the skin. The plunger should be pushed slowly and steadily until all the liquid is injected. The needle should be withdrawn quickly and the injection site should be pressed with a cotton ball or gauze to prevent bleeding or bruising.
You can easily learn how to inject it on your own by watching detailed video tutorials by 1fitflou. You can even make your own L-carnitine supplements at home by following simple steps. Storebought L-carnitine does not come cheap, and the cost adds up quickly when you take it regularly.
Injectable L-carnitine is generally well tolerated and safe when used as prescribed. However, with high-dose usage for bodybuilding or other competitive sports, one major side effect can be insomnia. It can fortunately be avoided through melatonin and Gaba supplements.
Some people have also reported feeling the following side effects:
- Headache, dizziness, fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Muscle cramps, weakness
- Allergic reactions such as swelling, itching, or rashes
- Swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site
These side effects are usually mild and transient and can be managed by adjusting the dose or frequency of administration. However, if they persist or worsen, or if more serious side effects occur, such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, seizures, or breathing difficulties, the patient should seek medical attention immediately.
People who are allergic to Injectable L-carnitine should avoid usage altogether. People who have any of the following conditions should also use it with caution:
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Seizure disorder
- Thyroid disorder
- Bleeding disorder
Injectable L-carnitine may also interact with some medications, such as:
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
- Anticonvulsants (seizure medications)
- Thyroid hormones
- Insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents (diabetes medications)
Therefore, patients should inform their doctor about all the medications, supplements, and herbal products they are taking before using injectable L-carnitine. They should also follow their doctor’s advice on diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes that may help improve their condition and health.
Conclusion
Injectable L-carnitine is a medication that can help treat carnitine deficiency and may also have other benefits for health and performance. And, with the help of this course, you will be able to inject L-carnitine on your own safely for pennies on the dollar. It may take some time to get the full effect of injectable L-carnitine but with regular injections maintaining the results will be very easy!
