1) Supplemental L-Carnitine enhances the shuttling of long chain fatty acids into the mitochondria11 where they can be broken down and used for energy production (ß-oxidation).
2) Due to accelerated ß-oxidation, more acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA), an end product of ß-oxidation, is produced. Consequently, the activity of the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) is reduced resulting in a decrease of carbohydrate breakdown (glycolysis).
3) L-Carnitine supplementation has protein sparing effects: the enhancement of ß-oxidation reduces the breakdown of branched chain amino acids by an internal feedback mechanism and
4) Promotes protein synthesis resulting in a leaner body4.
5) Supplemental L-Carnitine alleviates recycling of CoA: it increases the levels of mitochondrial free CoA by shuttling the short chain acyl groups from inside the mitochondria to the cytosol12.
6) The improved availability of mitochondrial free CoA favors the continuation of ß-oxidation as the released CoA is made available to the Krebs Cycle which is linked with the electron transport chain where energy is ultimately produced.
7) The increased availability of amino acids supports hepatic gluconeogenesis which results in an enhanced glucose supply to the brain. As a consequence of the above, L-Carnitine may induce appetite suppression and increase the resting metabolic rate (RMR) which represents the rate at which the body burns energy to sustain bodily functions. It is noteworthy that a low RMR is a predictor of body weight gain, as it is inversely related to body weight13.