If someone told you about a substance you could take that slows the aging process, helps to prevent heart disease, helps to dramatically increase weight loss and energy levels, and increases sports performance and endurance what would you say? Maybe you’d make a smart crack about having some swampland for sale.

Well believe it or not there is such a substance, and not only has it been scientifically proven to do those things, but it is also a substance that’s natural to the body, has no side effects and is perfectly safe.

I’m talking about carnitine. Carnitine is a nutrient that is very similar to a B vitamin. It’s found in many foods, but only in significant levels in meat. As a matter of fact, the redder the meat, the higher the carnitine content.

Here’s where one problem of modern society comes in. Due to the panic about cholesterol levels we have begun to eat much less meat, especially red meat. In spite of this, all of the latest diet research seems to be pointing to the fact that eating meat as part of a balanced diet is not only okay, but also good for you.

If we severely limit our meat intake our carnitine intake is also reduced. Research seems to show that the optimum amount of carnitine we should have is 250-500 milligrams per day. The typical American diet supplies only about 50 mg. per day.

There is evidence that our ancestors, who ate a less processed and depleted diet than we do, got anywhere from 500 to 2500 milligrams of carnitine per day.

Carnitine plays a number of roles in the body, but one of its primary jobs is to transport fat or fuel, across cell membranes to the part of the cell that makes energy. It’s kind of like shoveling coal into a furnace. Without the “shovel and shoveler” the furnace will stop burning.

This may be one of the reasons chronic fatigue is so prevalent, and why many people complain of having a “low metabolism.” If carnitine is deficient, these symptoms are to be expected.

I have never seen a substance in my practice that has such a beneficial effect on energy levels, and the amazing thing about carnitine is that it is not a stimulant. Stimulants, like caffeine, ephedra, or stimulant drugs work by artificially boosting one system in the body. This is usually done to detriment of other parts of the body. They are usually addictive, and when used long term have damaging effects on the body.

Carnitine increases energy by allowing your body to function as it should. It simply makes the stored fat or food you consume available to be burned at the normal rate. When you are healthy, you should have all the energy you need to do whatever you want. That’s the natural state of the healthy body.

This increased energy production has far reaching effects on every system of the body. A body that is properly energized will function better in all respects. The immune system will work better and the mind will be more alert and able to focus. Healing and tissue repair will progress at a more rapid rate, while endurance and strength will increase for those who exercise. Because the body has the energy needed to replace damaged and worn cells more efficiently, even aging will slow.

Possibly the most remarkable manifestation of carnitine’s ability to make fuel burning easier is the fact that fat will be burned more efficiently. In a recent study, two groups of obese teenagers were put on a very modest weight loss program. In addition, one group was given carnitine in a moderately high dose, while the other group was given a placebo (dummy pill). At the end of one month, the placebo group lost 2.2 pounds of fat. The carnitine group lost an amazing 11 pounds on the same program.

Before you go rushing off to buy a carton, you should know that results like these were part of a comprehensive weight loss program and utilized the proper dose per kilogram of body weight. You won’t lose weight with carnitine if you are not on some form of healthy weight loss program. The carnitine seems to help the body when it’s trying to burn fat already.

Also, the proper form of carnitine may not be available everywhere. The studies were done with the purest form called L-carnitine tartrate. The form I use is available in powder form for best absorption.

If you’d like some more information I strongly recommend a book by Robert Crayhon, M.S., called The Carnitine Miracle, published by M. Evans & Company. If you have trouble finding it or would like more information you can contact the Staten Island Register and they’ll forward the request to me.

**Editor’s note: Since original publication of this article more readily absorbable forms of carnitine have become available. The most effective forms are now acknowledged to be l-carnitine fumarate, acetyl l-carnitine, and propionyl l-carnitine.