Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Moderately Effective
Based on 15 Researches
8.2
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 10 Reviews
8.1
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Amount Per Serving
%DV
L-Carnitine (as L-Carnitine Tartrate)
500 mg

Top Medical Research Studies

We examined the effects of L-carnitine versus a placebo in patients who experienced acute heart attacks. Through a comprehensive review of 13 controlled trials involving over 3,600 participants, we found that L-carnitine led to notable benefits.

Specifically, it was linked to a 27% drop in overall death rates, a striking 65% reduction in life-threatening irregular heartbeats, and a 40% decrease in chest pain episodes.

However, it did not show significant improvements in heart failure or reinfarction rates. Our findings suggest that further large-scale studies should explore this promising, cost-effective treatment.
Read More
9
L-Carnitine protects against heart damage
We examined how L-carnitine (LC) protects the heart during heart attack situations. In our study involving mice, different groups received varying treatments, including LC before experiencing ischemia and reperfusion.

The findings revealed that LC significantly improved heart function after ischemia. Notably, its protective effects diminished when a specific pathway was blocked, indicating that LC's benefits are closely linked to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Additionally, LC enhanced heart cell performance even under low-oxygen conditions, supporting its potential as a heart protective agent during critical events.
Read More
We examined the potential benefits of L-carnitine (LC) in helping mice recover from myocardial infarction (MI). Following a two-week treatment post-MI, LC was found to improve cardiac function and heart structure.

Our results showed reductions in harmful biomarkers and inflammatory signals in the mice treated with LC. Additionally, LC appeared to inhibit key proteins involved in cell death that could contribute to better heart recovery.

Overall, L-carnitine offers promising cardioprotective effects, especially regarding heart remodeling after a heart attack.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

7.5
Great for heart problems
39 people found this helpful
This product is excellent for cardiac health and is regarded as the best form of carnitine by Dr Sinatra. It is particularly beneficial for my severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, helping me manage my heart issues effectively.
Read More
9
Heart support
2 people found this helpful
After suffering from congestive heart failure, I used this product to regain my strength upon resuming exercise. It has genuinely supported my heart health, and I've felt significantly better after four years of consistent use.
Read More
9
Improved dog health
2 people found this helpful
My Cavalier King Charles Spaniels received a heart disease diagnosis at a young age. I opted for supplements instead of immediate medication. Adding Jarrow brand to their food resulted in noted improvements during follow-up with the cardiologist. Thank you, Jarrow!
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Moderately Effective
Based on 15 Researches
8.2
  • All Researches
9.5
In our controlled study involving 16 male rats, we explored the effects of intravenous (IV) L-carnitine on survival rates and heart function during severe verapamil toxicity.

We found that L-carnitine notably increased survival time, averaging about 140 minutes compared to just 49 minutes for the saline group.

Additionally, at 15 minutes, those treated with L-carnitine had significantly better blood pressure readings. This indicates that L-carnitine may help support heart function during critical toxicity events.
Read More
9
L-Carnitine protects against heart damage
We examined how L-carnitine (LC) protects the heart during heart attack situations. In our study involving mice, different groups received varying treatments, including LC before experiencing ischemia and reperfusion.

The findings revealed that LC significantly improved heart function after ischemia. Notably, its protective effects diminished when a specific pathway was blocked, indicating that LC's benefits are closely linked to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Additionally, LC enhanced heart cell performance even under low-oxygen conditions, supporting its potential as a heart protective agent during critical events.
Read More
9
Carnitine with vitamin E mitigates heart damage
We aimed to find out if carnitine, when paired with vitamin E, could protect rats from heart attacks induced by isoproterenol. Our study involved different groups of rats, some receiving only carnitine or vitamin E, while others received both. The results were promising, as those treated with both supplements showed significant improvements in heart function and reductions in harmful enzymes and inflammatory markers. However, we did not observe the same positive effects from carnitine alone.
Read More
9
Methyl-GBB provides lasting heart protection
We examined how methyl-GBB, a carnitine transport inhibitor, impacts heart health following a treatment period. In our study with male Wistar rats, we found that after 28 days of methyl-GBB treatment, long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) in the heart dropped by 87%, which led to a significant reduction in heart tissue damage, or infarct size, by 57%. Remarkably, even two weeks after stopping the treatment, both the LCAC levels and damage remained lower. This research suggests a strong link between diminishing LCACs and lasting heart protection.
Read More
9
L-carnitine reduction protects heart tissue
We explored whether reducing L-carnitine levels can safeguard the heart from damage during a heart attack. In our study, we tested a compound called Methyl-GBB that successfully lowered both L-carnitine and its associated fatty acids in heart tissue.

By inhibiting fatty acid oxidation, Methyl-GBB not only decreased the damage from heart attacks but also improved survival rates in rats. While we found promising results, it's essential to note that this study is preliminary, and the direct implications for human treatment remain uncertain.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 10 Reviews
8.1
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
7.5
Great for heart problems
39 people found this helpful
This product is excellent for cardiac health and is regarded as the best form of carnitine by Dr Sinatra. It is particularly beneficial for my severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, helping me manage my heart issues effectively.
Read More
9
Heart support
2 people found this helpful
After suffering from congestive heart failure, I used this product to regain my strength upon resuming exercise. It has genuinely supported my heart health, and I've felt significantly better after four years of consistent use.
Read More
9
Improved dog health
2 people found this helpful
My Cavalier King Charles Spaniels received a heart disease diagnosis at a young age. I opted for supplements instead of immediate medication. Adding Jarrow brand to their food resulted in noted improvements during follow-up with the cardiologist. Thank you, Jarrow!
Read More
9
Calming effect
5 people found this helpful
I acquired this for my wife and me for weight loss, alongside Alpha-Lipoic Acid. I experienced a significant 'calming' effect which eliminated my persistent heart palpitations recorded by a 24/7 heart monitor. My wife did not share this effect, leading me to conclude I was deficient in this nutrient, as my cardiologist agreed. I continue my heart medications, but now take L-Carnitine in addition, having not had any heart palpitations for 1.5 years since starting it.
Read More
8
Energy boost
3 people found this helpful
This product has provided me with more energy throughout the day and alleviated my shortness of breath during activities. As I have a heart condition, this is wonderful! Additionally, I have lost a few pounds.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

9
Heart support
2 people found this helpful
After suffering from congestive heart failure, I used this product to regain my strength upon resuming exercise. It has genuinely supported my heart health, and I've felt significantly better after four years of consistent use.
9
Calming effect
5 people found this helpful
I acquired this for my wife and me for weight loss, alongside Alpha-Lipoic Acid. I experienced a significant 'calming' effect which eliminated my persistent heart palpitations recorded by a 24/7 heart monitor. My wife did not share this effect, leading me to conclude I was deficient in this nutrient, as my cardiologist agreed. I continue my heart medications, but now take L-Carnitine in addition, having not had any heart palpitations for 1.5 years since starting it.
8
Energy boost
3 people found this helpful
This product has provided me with more energy throughout the day and alleviated my shortness of breath during activities. As I have a heart condition, this is wonderful! Additionally, I have lost a few pounds.
6
Fat metabolism help
2 people found this helpful
Purchased for weight loss, L-Carnitine aids fat metabolism and reduces appetite. Though I initially saw little effect on heart attack prevention, I learned it could help with chronic fatigue and promote overall health. I take three pills daily, which has somewhat diminished my appetite.
7.5
Normalised heart function
1 people found this helpful
Recommended by our M.D., I combined this with Coenzyme Q10 and D-Ribose for heart health. My husband’s low ejection fraction improved to normal using this regimen, and we continue to use L-Carnitine for maintained heart health.
We examined the potential benefits of L-carnitine (LC) in helping mice recover from myocardial infarction (MI). Following a two-week treatment post-MI, LC was found to improve cardiac function and heart structure.

Our results showed reductions in harmful biomarkers and inflammatory signals in the mice treated with LC. Additionally, LC appeared to inhibit key proteins involved in cell death that could contribute to better heart recovery.

Overall, L-carnitine offers promising cardioprotective effects, especially regarding heart remodeling after a heart attack.
We examined the effects of L-carnitine versus a placebo in patients who experienced acute heart attacks. Through a comprehensive review of 13 controlled trials involving over 3,600 participants, we found that L-carnitine led to notable benefits.

Specifically, it was linked to a 27% drop in overall death rates, a striking 65% reduction in life-threatening irregular heartbeats, and a 40% decrease in chest pain episodes.

However, it did not show significant improvements in heart failure or reinfarction rates. Our findings suggest that further large-scale studies should explore this promising, cost-effective treatment.
We explored the potential of L-carnitine as a treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This approach is particularly intriguing as heart disease remains a leading cause of death.

While our findings show that L-carnitine might offer some benefits, such as reducing infarct size and lowering the probability of arrhythmias, the evidence does not indicate significant improvements in survival rates overall.

Thus, while this metabolic cofactor shows promise, it may not be a game-changer in managing AMI in the way we had hoped.
4
L-carnitine shows potential benefits
We examined the role of nutritional treatments, specifically L-carnitine, in managing acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks). While traditional approaches focus on blood flow issues, this study highlights the importance of metabolic factors that may affect heart health.

Although L-carnitine shows promise in improving outcomes after a heart attack, it is not a standalone solution. Rather, it should be part of a broader treatment strategy that considers various nutrients that support heart function. Our findings suggest incorporating these metabolic interventions could be beneficial alongside standard care.

References

  1. Guerreiro G, Deon M, Becker GS, Dos Reis BG, Wajner M, et al. Neuroprotective effects of L-carnitine towards oxidative stress and inflammatory processes: a review of its importance as a therapeutic drug in some disorders. Metab Brain Dis. 2025;40:127. doi:10.1007/s11011-025-01545-6
  2. Li HR, Zheng XM, Liu Y, Tian JH, Kou JJ, et al. L-Carnitine Alleviates the Myocardial Infarction and Left Ventricular Remodeling through Bax/Bcl-2 Signal Pathway. Cardiovasc Ther. 2022;2022:9615674. doi:10.1155/2022/9615674
  3. Shved MI, Yastremska IO, Martynyuk LP, Yastremska SO, Dobrianskyi TO. Management of central hemodynamic and endothelial function disturbances in patients with myocardial infarction combined with metabolic syndrome. Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2021;49:325.
  4. Emran T, Chowdhury NI, Sarker M, Bepari AK, Hossain M, et al. L-carnitine protects cardiac damage by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response via inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;143:112139. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112139
  5. Xue M, Chen X, Guo Z, Liu X, Bi Y, et al. L-Carnitine Attenuates Cardiac Dysfunction by Ischemic Insults Through Akt Signaling Pathway. Toxicol Sci. 2017;160:341. doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfx193
  6. Huwait EA, Al-Ghamdi MA. PROTECTIVE ROLE OF CARNITINE SYNERGIZED WITH VITAMIN E AGAINST ISOPROTERENOL INDUCED CARDIAC INFARCTION IN RATS. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2017;14:25. doi:10.21010/ajtcam.v14i2.4
  7. Kuka J, Makrecka-Kuka M, Cirule H, Grinberga S, Sevostjanovs E, et al. Decrease in Long-Chain Acylcarnitine Tissue Content Determines the Duration of and Correlates with the Cardioprotective Effect of Methyl-GBB. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2017;121:106. doi:10.1111/bcpt.12775
  8. Liepinsh E, Makrecka-Kuka M, Kuka J, Vilskersts R, Makarova E, et al. Inhibition of L-carnitine biosynthesis and transport by methyl-γ-butyrobetaine decreases fatty acid oxidation and protects against myocardial infarction. Br J Pharmacol. 2015;172:1319. doi:10.1111/bph.13004
  9. Liepinsh E, Makrecka M, Kuka J, Cirule H, Makarova E, et al. Selective inhibition of OCTN2 is more effective than inhibition of gamma-butyrobetaine dioxygenase to decrease the availability of l-carnitine and to reduce myocardial infarct size. Pharmacol Res. 2014;85:33. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2014.05.002
  10. Dinicolantonio JJ, Niazi AK, McCarty MF, Lavie CJ, Liberopoulos E, et al. L-carnitine for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2014;15:52. doi:10.3909/ricm0710
  11. DiNicolantonio JJ, Lavie CJ, Fares H, Menezes AR, O'Keefe JH. L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013;88:544. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.02.007
  12. Liepinsh E, Skapare E, Kuka J, Makrecka M, Cirule H, et al. Activated peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism improves cardiac recovery in ischemia-reperfusion. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2013;386:541. doi:10.1007/s00210-013-0849-0
  13. Lou PH, Zhang L, Lucchinetti E, Heck M, Affolter A, et al. Infarct-remodelled hearts with limited oxidative capacity boost fatty acid oxidation after conditioning against ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Cardiovasc Res. 2013;97:251. doi:10.1093/cvr/cvs323
  14. Perez E, Chu J, Bania T, Medlej K. L-carnitine increases survival in a murine model of severe verapamil toxicity. Acad Emerg Med. 2011;18:1135. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2011.01217.x
  15. Gaby AR. Nutritional treatments for acute myocardial infarction. Altern Med Rev. 2010;15:113.
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