What are some health benefits of l-carnitine?

L-carnitine improves the red blood cell count in people who have low red blood cell levels caused by hemodialysis treatments for kidney disease, states WebMD. As a supplement, l-carnitine is also effective at preventing a deficiency of it in people who have certain genetic disorders.

While many athletes and bodybuilders take the supplement to improve athletic ability, it is unlikely that it actually helps, states WebMD. Some people claim that l-carnitine helps burn fat, but this also has insufficient evidence, states Healthline. In fact, taking it as a supplement can lead to harmful side effects, including stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and producing a fishy odor on the body. Taking l-carnitine as a supplement can even increase the risk of developing heart disease.