What is L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (LCLT))?
L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (LCLT) is the tartrate salt of L-carnitine and contains approximately 68% elemental L-carnitine. While carnitine carries out the physiology of fatty acid transport, its salt form is suitable for powder production and shelf life. It is the most studied form of carnitine in exercise recovery studies.
- CAS number: 36687-82-8
- Molecular formula: C₁₁H₁₉NO₈
What is L-Carnitine L-Tartrate Used For? Why is it Used?
LCLT is the most researched and most stable form of carnitine in the context of exercise recovery; it offers ideal processability for powdered sports products. There is RCT support for its ability to reduce markers of muscle damage. It should not be forgotten that EFSA has rejected the recovery claim; the evidence is of moderate level and should be presented honestly.
Usage as Sports Nutrition
The following information is based on sports nutrition research (ISSN position stands, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses); the level of evidence is clearly stated for each item.
- Post-exercise muscle damage and recovery (RCT): In a 3-week RCT by the Volek/Kraemer group, 2 g/day of LCLT reduced markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase, myoglobin), purine catabolism, and free radical markers after squat exercise (PMID 11788381). Improvements in recovery markers have also been reported in middle-aged men and women (PMID 20045157).
- Reduction of muscle soreness (DOMS): It is suggested that LCLT alleviates muscle soreness and reduces damage by improving blood flow/oxygen supply to tissues. The evidence is of moderate level; studies with small sample sizes dominate.
- Androgen receptor mechanism: Some studies have reported that LCLT affects androgen receptor content at rest and post-exercise; this is part of the recovery hypothesis, but it has not been definitively established that it translates directly to performance output.
- Dosage, timing, level of evidence: 2 g/day of elemental carnitine (≈3 g LCLT), chronic intake for 3-5+ weeks. Evidence: moderate for recovery markers; limited for direct strength/performance increases. EFSA has rejected the recovery claim — communication should be limited to RCT data and be honest.
Forms and Differences
L-Carnitine L-Tartrate is offered in different forms; form selection is made based on bioavailability, stability, and intended use:
- L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (approx. 68% L-carnitine): It is a salt of L-carnitine and L-tartaric acid (2:1); it is stable in powder form, non-hygroscopic, and easier to process than the free base. It is the most common carnitine form in sports nutrition.
- Recovery-focused form: Since most post-exercise muscle damage and recovery studies (Volek/Kraemer group) were conducted with LCLT, it is positioned as 'recovery carnitine'. The standard dose is adjusted to provide 2 g/day of elemental L-carnitine.
Usage in Dietary Supplements
- Typical dose: The amount of LCLT providing 2 g/day of elemental L-carnitine (approx. 3 g LCLT) is used in studies. Chronic intake over weeks is required for effect.
- Duration: Improvements in markers have been reported after regular use for 3-5 weeks in recovery RCTs; single acute use does not provide the expected benefit.
Usage in the Food Industry
- Sports nutrition raw material: Due to its stable powder structure, it is preferred as a source of carnitine in powders, capsules, and functional beverages; its non-hygroscopic nature is a formulation advantage.
Effects on Health
- Fatty acid transport: The elemental carnitine in LCLT transports long-chain fatty acids to the mitochondria, enabling beta-oxidation — this is the fundamental, established physiological role of carnitine (NIH ODS).
- Blood flow / oxidative stress buffer: In exercise studies, it has been suggested that carnitine reduces damage/oxidative stress markers via endothelial function and blood/oxygen supply to muscle tissue (indirect evidence).
Status of Health Claims (EFSA) — Transparent Information
EFSA has explicitly REJECTED health claims for 'faster recovery from post-exercise muscle fatigue' and 'muscle tissue repair' for L-carnitine (all forms including LCLT) (EFSA Journal 2011;9(6):2212). Although recovery data is available at the RCT level, there is no approved health claim in the EU. Product communication should be structured as component/mechanism information, not as a 'recovery claim'.
Usage Limits and Safety
- Typical usage dose: ≈3 g LCLT (= 2 g elemental L-carnitine)
- Upper intake level (UL): No official UL; ~2 g/day of elemental carnitine is well tolerated (NIH ODS).
- Turkish legislation (Sports Foods / TETGK): It falls under the Turkish Food Codex Sports Foods Regulation (2003/42) and the Dietary Supplements Regulation. A specific numerical upper limit for LCLT could not be confirmed by me — NOT FABRICATED; the Ministry's current legislation is authoritative.
Gastrointestinal discomfort at high doses. The carnitine family is included in the TMAO debate (gut microbiota → TMA → TMAO). The tartrate part is considered safe at normal doses.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤5.0 % |
| Total Heavy Metals | ≤10 ppm |
| E. Coli | Negative in 10 g |
| Salmonella | Negative in 25 g |
| Solubility | Soluble in Water |
Scientific Studies
The following independent researches relate to the sports performance, bioavailability, and effects of this compound (study types are specified):
- PubMed 11788381 — L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation positively affects recovery markers from exercise stress
- PubMed 20045157 — L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation positively affects biochemical recovery markers of physical exertion in middle-aged men and women
Technical Documents and Supply — Asuka Kimya
You can contact Asuka Kimya for SDS, TDS, CoA and supply conditions for L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (LCLT).
References
The usage, sports nutrition, and health information on this page have been compiled from official legislation/institution sources (EFSA, NIH ODS, ISSN, Turkish Food Codex Sports Foods / Dietary Supplements Regulation) and independent scientific publications (PubMed). The product is a food supplement/sports nutrition raw material; it does not intend to diagnose or treat diseases.