Coffee. The world’s favorite beverage and longtime morning wake-up call. Whether you enjoy a few dark shots to help get your day started or relax with a flavored latte later in the afternoon, you may be considering adding l-carnitine to your favorite cup.
So, why might you be considering adding l-carnitine to your coffee? Well, you may want to turn your caffeine fix into something more for your body and health. Or, maybe you’re looking for ways to increase your energy levels in a natural and healthy way.
While it can be tempting to look for quick-fix solutions to energize ourselves, it’s essential to understand that l-carnitine isn’t a ‘magic bullet’ solution. L-carnitine is a natural amino acid extremely important for the proper functioning of the body, so it pays to know what it’s all about and how it can be of benefit to users.
At its core, l-carnitine assists the body in breaking fats down into energy. It’s known to help people with a variety of physical conditions and is it also claimed to help with energy production. That said, any added energy benefits of l-carnitine will be minor when compared to a good night’s rest, a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Unfortunately, there’s little to no scientific information to back up these claims. Though some studies have indicated that l-carnitine can help athletic performance, there’s no evidence yet to suggest that it can help people with low-energy issues.
So, what about drinking coffee with l-carnitine? The jury’s out on this one. While there’s no evidence of health risks from drinking coffee with l-carnitine, there’s no scientific proof to back the claims that it leads to more-long lasting energy.
Plus, if you often drink coffee with added sugar, you should be aware that some l-cartinine products can already contain sugar. In general, it’s wise to read the label before consuming a product with l-cartinine. Additionally, if you prefer low-calorie beverages, then adding extra calories can lead to weight gain in some people.
Side Effects and Health Risks
Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, l-carnitine is a natural amino acid and is generally considered safe when taken in sensible amounts. That said, it can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting, snoring and a bad-breath in some users.
The jury is also out on other risks, with some studies indicating that l-cartinine can increase risks of angina, promote irregular heart beats and is potentially unsafe for people with other health complications. Those with diabetes or hypothyroidism should particularly be mindful of potential risks and speak to a medical expert before adding l-cartinine to their diet.
Regulation and Quality
It’s also important to realize that l-cartinine is a dietary supplement, not a pharmaceutical product. Therefore, it isn’t regulated for quality or purity like most medications. In the US, for example, there’s no requirement for the ingredients or quality of dietary supplements to be approved or verified by the FDA.
That means it’s vital to ensure that any product consumed is obtained from a reputable supplier and is backed by an independent third-party lab report. This can be especially important for coffee with l-cartinine, given that coffee can be treated with other chemicals for maximum flavor and aroma.
Effectiveness and Dosing
At the time of writing, there’s still very little evidence to back up any health benefits associated with l-cartinine. While some studies have indicated that l-cartinine can help with low-energy issues, the amounts likely needed to be effective would be much higher than the amounts usually added to coffee.
Also, when it comes to dosages, it’s always wise to read the label and speak to a healthcare professional. Regardless of the lack of support for l-cartinine, people have reported anecdotally that consuming l-cartinine on an empty stomach may help to facilitate a quicker absorption of the supplement.
Conclusion
In summary, adding l-carnitine to coffee may not be for everyone. While it can be tempting to add in supplements for extra energy, it’s essential to understand the potential side effects, health risks and lack of evidence to back up any claims around effectiveness. It’s wise to speak to a physician before starting any supplements and prior to adding l-carnitine to your coffee or other beverages.
