What it does
A compound involved in transporting fatty acids into mitochondria.
What symptoms can—and cannot—tell you
Rare inherited disorders and certain medical conditions can cause carnitine deficiency. Fatigue alone does not diagnose it, and these disorders require specific clinical evaluation.
Food sources
Meat, fish and dairy; the body also makes carnitine.
Supplement forms
L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine and L-carnitine L-tartrate are distinct preparations.
Before taking a supplement
Concentrated supplements can interact with medicines and may differ substantially from foods. Discuss pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney or liver disease, and planned surgery with a clinician or pharmacist.
Questions for your visit
Could my diet, medicines, absorption or another condition explain my concern? What evidence would support treatment, and how would we check whether it helps?
Names you may see
Carnitine
Sources & perspective
This is an editorial adaptation of the Purser Wellness nutrient reference app. Purser teaching connections are labeled separately from clinical interpretation. Private cases and individual treatment protocols are not reproduced.
The external resource below explains supplement safety; it does not validate every proposed use of this ingredient.
NCCIH: using dietary supplements wisely