Taking L-Carnitine with Semaglutide
- Fact-checked by Dr. Desiree Granados
In recent years, the combination of L-carnitine and semaglutide has garnered attention in the health and wellness community. As people search for effective ways to boost their metabolic health, lose weight, and improve their overall energy levels, these two substances have shown great potential.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits, mechanisms of action, and synergistic effects of taking L-carnitine along with semaglutide.
What Is Levocarnitine and What Are its Health Benefits?
Levocarnitine, also known simply as L-carnitine, is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that helps turn the fats we eat into energy. It’s responsible for the transportation of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are oxidized to produce energy.
The body can produce levocarnitine from the amino acids lysine and methionine, although it’s also available through dietary sources such as meat, fish, and dairy products. Some of the health benefits of levocarnitine include:
- Improved Performance: Can increase stamina and reduce fatigue during high-intensity workouts.
- Better Heart Health: Supports cardiovascular function by improving fat metabolism, which can reduce one’s risk of heart disease.
- Weight Loss: Aids in weight loss by promoting the efficient use of stored fat as energy.
- Better Cognitive Functioning: May improve brain function by enhancing energy production and reducing oxidative stress.
- Antioxidant Properties: Protects cells from oxidative damage and supports overall cellular health.
Can You Take L-Carnitine with Semaglutide?
Combining L-carnitine with semaglutide may offer a synergistic effect for those seeking to lose weight. Theoretically, the appetite-suppressing and glucose-controlling effects of semaglutide combined with the fat-burning capabilities of L-carnitine could provide compounded benefits.
However, while early indications are promising, clinical trials and long-term studies are required to confirm the safety and effectiveness of this combination.
Is Semaglutide Levocarnitine Approved By the FDA?
Semaglutide levocarnitine has not yet been approved by the FDA.
Semaglutide is an FDA-approved medication commonly used to manage type 2 diabetes and promote weight loss under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. Meanwhile, levocarnitine, also known as L-carnitine, is approved for the treatment of carnitine deficiency. However, no drug containing both substances has received FDA approval.
What Are the Side Effects and Risks of Semaglutide Plus L-Carnitine?
While semaglutide and L-carnitine can offer significant benefits for weight management and metabolic health, their combination also poses certain side effects and risks. These can include:
- Nausea: Semaglutide can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea.
- Diarrhea: Both semaglutide and L-carnitine have been associated with occasional diarrhea, particularly when first starting treatment.
- Abdominal Pain: Users may experience cramps or stomach pain, primarily due to semaglutide’s effects.
- Pancreatitis: With semaglutide, there is a low risk of developing pancreatitis, a serious condition characterized by inflammation of the pancreas.
- Low Blood Sugar: When used with other glucose-lowering medications, semaglutide may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).
- Kidney Issues: Semaglutide usage has, in rare cases, been linked to kidney problems, which can be exacerbated by dehydration.
- Allergic Reactions: Both substances carry a risk of allergic reactions, although these are uncommon.
- Elevated Heart Rate: L-carnitine may increase heart rate and blood pressure in some individuals, posing risks for those with existing cardiovascular conditions.
- Potential for Drug Interactions: Semaglutide and L-carnitine may interact with other medications, so it’s important to consult a doctor before starting this treatment.
What Is a Safe Level of L-Carnitine with Semaglutide?
Combining L-carnitine with semaglutide can offer numerous health benefits, but it’s crucial to understand how much of each substance to include to avoid adverse effects. Currently, there is no universally established “safe level” for either substance, as the appropriate levels will largely depend on the user’s health status and specific medical needs.
But in general, the recommended daily dose of L-carnitine is about two to three grams, while subcutaneous semaglutide dosages start at 0.25 mg a week before gradually increasing. It’s essential to consult a doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen, especially when combining substances like L-carnitine and semaglutide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the combination of L-carnitine and semaglutide can offer many benefits for individuals aiming to improve their metabolic health and lose weight. While both substances offer unique benefits—from L-carnitine’s role in energy production and fat metabolism to semaglutide’s effects on glucose control and appetite suppression—their combination can provide even more.
That said, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new drug regimen.
If you’re interested in using semaglutide to lose weight, the Sanctuary Wellness Institute can help. Participants in our medical weight loss program get semaglutide injections delivered for self-administration and receive support from licensed physicians and our care team.
States We Serve
How we reviewed this article:
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https://www.goodrx.com/levocarnitine/what-is - Rudy Mawer and Rachael Ajmera (2023). L-Carnitine: Benefits, Side Effects, Sources, and Dosage
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/l-carnitine - Semaglutide with l-carnitine Dosage: What is safe level?
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/semaglutide-l-carnitine-dosage-what-safe-level-ali-hassan-9vzff - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2021). FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014 - USDA (2012). L-Carnitine
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Carnitine%20TR.pdf - Zuri C. Hawkins-Jarrett (2023). 19 Side Effects of Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss
https://www.goodrx.com/ozempic/semaglutide-side-effects - Drugs.com (2022). L-carnitine
https://www.drugs.com/npp/l-carnitine.html - Drugs.com (2023). Semaglutide Dosage
https://www.drugs.com/dosage/semaglutide.html
Current Version
May 19, 2024
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Desiree Granados
Editorial Process
Our Editorial Process
Jake Peter received his journalism degree from Emerson College and has been writing content for the Sanctuary Wellness Institute since 2021. He is passionate about all things cannabis.