L-CARNITINE is an essential cofactor in muscle metabolism during exercise. L-CARNITINE forms the transport system which moves fatty acid molecules into the mitachondria (cell furnaces) for energy production. L-CARNITINE also acts as a physiological buffer in inhibiting buildup of lactic acid in muscles. This helps delay the onset of fatigue in muscles. Normally animals get L-CARNITINE from their diet, or they manufacture it from other amino acids, but a heavily exercising athletic animal will usually not be able to replace the extensive loss of L-CARNITINE which occurs. Carnitine deficiency results in an inability to utilise fatty acids as an energy source, and causes skeletal muscle dysfunction and weakness, heart enlargement, heart failure and rhythm disturbances and liver dysfunction. L-CARNITINE also assists in the oxidation of pyruvate and branched chain amino acids in the energy cycle, and prevents the buildup of fatty complexes within cells which can damage muscle cell membranes.Supplementing with L-CARNITINE has a number of beneficial effects during exercise including enhanced energy supply, increased utilisation of fatty acids, decreased buildup of lactic acid and increased maximum work output. The level of L-CARNITINE in muscles plays a major role in determining the exercise capacity of the muscles. L-CARNITINE is essential for normal heart function. L-CARNITINE is recognised as one of the more important ergogenic aids for equine and canine performance, as well as for human athletes. L-CARNITINE supplementation enhances both sprint and endurance performance. Fat is the major energy source for endurance events. Supplementation increases maximal work output and V02 max in sprint exercise.There is evidence that L-CARNITINE levels in equine plasma increase with training. High fat diets are recommended for exercising horses as they have a very high energy content and have been shown to improve performance when their utilisation is enhanced by L-CARNITINE supplementation.Adequate L-CARNITINE levels are critically involved in the survival of newborn foals. Supplementation of brood mares twice weekly during the last two weeks of pregnancy with 10mL L-CARNITINE will benefit the foal. Animals under stress are reported to respond positively to L-CARNITINE supplements.Adult Horse: 10mL given three times weekly, or as directed by a veterinarian. Veterinarians have recommended using doses of 20mL to 25mL twice weekly, with the second dose given 4-6 hours before hard or fast work. Dogs : 1 mL/10 kg
