Is L-Carnitine Good?

l-carnitine, which is derived from the amino acid lycine, is good for you because it promotes energy production from fat and helps treat heart and nervous system conditions. Produced primarily in the liver and kidneys, l-carnitine is stored in the muscle tissue, brain and heart. Your body naturally produces adequate amounts of l-carnitine, but certain health conditions can deplete levels, warranting supplementation. Consult a physician before taking l-carnitine.

Heart Conditions

l-carnitine is most effective in the treatment of stable angina, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The supplement helps to reduce symptoms and allows a patient with angina to exercise without chest pain. L-carnitine may also help to reduce the risk of dying after a heart attack and may reduce symptoms of heart failure. The positive effects of l-carnitine on heart conditions are observed only if taken in conjunction with conventional medications. Consult your physician before taking this supplement.

Energy Production

All cells in the body contain small organelles called mitochondria, which produce adenosine triphosphate -- the molecule that stores energy. Skeletal and heart tissue primarily use fatty acids to produce energy; l-carnitine helps to shuttle fatty acids to this tissue, thus increasing energy production. L-carnitine may be an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome -- a condition characterized by chronic tiredness and muscle weakness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes can damage nerves, particularly in the hands and feet; therefore, causing pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. L-carnitine may help decrease the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy by decreasing pain and restoring feeling in the effected limbs. Supplementing with 500 to 1,000 mg of l-carnitine a day can improve activities of daily living, control blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, and potentially regenerate damaged nerves, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center.

Intermittent Claudication

Intermittent claudication is a condition where the lower leg muscles become cramped during walking and exercise. Caused by poor lower leg blood circulation, intermittent claudication causes pain and muscle weakness that only goes away with rest. L-carnitine can decrease the symptoms of this condition by helping the lower leg muscles to acquire more energy. The NYU Langone Medical Center reports a 44 percent improvement in walking distance with l-carnitine supplementation.

Male Fertility

L-carnitine deficiency is linked to low sperm count and decreased sperm motility. Supplementing with l-carnitine can improve sperm concentration and help improve male fertility. A 2004 double-blind study published by Lenzi and colleagues in Fertility and Sterility reports a significant increase in sperm function when taking l-carnitine versus a placebo.