L-Carnitine

L-carnitine tartrate or acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) in capsules, 500–1,000 mg. The body makes it from meat, so vegetarians run lower.

• Tartrate or acetyl form
• 500–1,000 mg
• 120–240 capsules

Why you’d want it: A long-standing gym-shelf staple for people eating less and moving more. Two forms; the tip explains which.

Picking tip: 'L-carnitine tartrate' is the plain gym version; 'acetyl-L-carnitine' is the same molecule with a small change that people take earlier in the day. Either at 1–2 g. Some people notice a fishy body odour at higher doses; dropping the dose fixes it.

Supplements are food, not medicine: nothing here treats or prevents anything. If you take any medicine, ask a pharmacist first.

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Vitamins & Supplements

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