L-carnitine is a natural substance that plays a vital role in energy production in the body. It helps transport fatty acids to the mitochondria, where they are burned for fuel. L-carnitine is also involved in many other processes, such as brain function, heart health, muscle performance, and aging.
L-carnitine is produced by the body from lysine and methionine which are amino acids. Food sources can also contain it, especially dairy products and red meat. However, some people may have low levels of L-carnitine due to genetic conditions, diseases, medications, or dietary restrictions. In these cases, L-carnitine supplements may be beneficial. It’s also a popular natural supplement among athletes, bodybuilders, people looking to lose weight, and fitness enthusiasts overall.
One of the ways to supplement L-carnitine is by injection. Injectable L-carnitine is a solution that contains 200 mg to 750 mg of L-carnitine per ml. To make up for deficiencies, it is usually administered intravenously — but when used for athletic reasons, it’s easier and more convenient to inject it intramuscularly. Injectable L-carnitine is usually prescribed for people who have a medical condition that causes carnitine deficiency or who need extra carnitine for therapeutic purposes.
But what are the benefits of L-carnitine injections? How are they used? Are there any possible side effects? Let’s find out.
Benefits of L-Carnitine Injections
L-carnitine injections may have several benefits in different cases. For example:
Carnitine deficiency:
L-carnitine injections can treat primary carnitine deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that prevents the body from using carnitine properly. This can lead to serious problems with the liver, heart, and muscles. L-carnitine injections can also treat secondary carnitine deficiency, which occurs when the levels of carnitine in the blood are too low due to kidney disease, liver disease, digestive disorders, or certain medications. L-carnitine injections can restore normal carnitine levels and prevent or reverse the symptoms of deficiency 12.
Kidney disease:
Hemodialysis removes carnitine from the blood along with waste products. This can cause low energy levels, muscle weakness, anemia, and heart problems. L-carnitine injections can replenish carnitine stores and improve the quality of life of hemodialysis patients 12.
Heart disease:
L-carnitine injections can improve the function and survival of the heart in patients with various forms of heart disease, such as angina (chest pain), congestive heart failure (reduced pumping ability), ischemic heart disease (reduced blood flow), and myocardial infarction (heart attack). L-carnitine injections can increase blood flow to the heart, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, enhance energy production and utilization, and prevent or reduce cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) 3 .
Brain health:
L-carnitine injections can protect and enhance brain function in patients with cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, or stroke. L-carnitine injections can also protect the brain from oxidative damage and inflammation, and enhance blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain 1 .
Exercise performance:
L-carnitine injections can boost physical performance and endurance in athletes and active individuals. They can increase the use of fat as an energy source, sparing muscle glycogen and reducing lactate accumulation. L-carnitine injections can also improve muscle strength, power, and recovery, and reduce muscle soreness and damage .
Usage of L-Carnitine Injections
Conventionally, L-carnitine injections are given by a health care provider in a clinic or hospital setting. That process can be pretty costly, and it quickly adds up if you choose to take the supplement on a regular basis. Much of the cost is avoidable by making your own L-Carnitine at home and self-administering it as an intramuscular injection. Here’s a detailed course to walk you through every step of the way.
Many people using L-Carnitine for athletic performance enhancement or weight loss prefer to self-administer L-carnitine injections at home for convenience or cost reasons. Keep in mind, this practice is not recommended without adequate medical guidance. Self-administering L-carnitine injections without expert guidance on how to do it, may pose risks of infection or injury. This course is designed to teach you the step-by-step procedure in theory and via videos to help you self-administer these injections safely.
If you choose to self-administer L-carnitine injections at home you should use sterile equipment and the right injection techniques to avoid issues. The best sites for intramuscular injections are the glutes, quads, hips and lats. You should rotate the injection sites to prevent inflammation and scarring/cysts.
The dosage and frequency of L-carnitine injections depend on the individual’s medical condition, body weight, and response to treatment. The typical dosage ranges from 10 to 20 mg per kg of body weight per day for carnitine deficiency or kidney disease, and from 50 to 100 mg per kg of body weight per day for heart disease or brain health. For athletic/bodybuilding purposes you can use 500 mg to 1,000 mg on the low end, and up to 3,000 mg on the higher end. The limit for athletes competing in the Olympics is 50,000 mg per day!
Side Effects of L-Carnitine Injections
L-carnitine injections are generally well tolerated by most people, but they may cause some mild to moderate side effects in some cases. These include:
- Pain, swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection site
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset (oral supplement)
- Headache, dizziness, or fatigue
- Fishy body odor or breath
- Increased appetite or thirst
- Changes in blood pressure or heart rate
These temporary side effects, if they occur, often subside with time or dose adjustment. However, if they persist or worsen, you should seek medical attention.
L-carnitine injections may also interact with certain medications or supplements, such as anticoagulants (blood thinners), thyroid hormones, antibiotics, anticonvulsants (seizure medications), or acenocoumarol (a vitamin K antagonist). These interactions may affect the effectiveness or safety of either product. Make sure your doctor is aware of the supplements and medication that you may be on before you start to take L-Carnitine.
L-carnitine injections may also have some contraindications among patients with some allergies or certain medical conditions. For example, people with kidney failure, liver disease, diabetes, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, or carnitine hypersensitivity should not use L-carnitine injections without consulting their doctor first.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice or endorse any products or services. It is for informational purposes only.
