- *MSRP:
$35.99- Our Price:
- $21.60
- Buy: at $21.60
- UPC: 733739002174
- # N0217
Product Overview & Quick Specs
Think of your body like a hybrid combustion engine. Fatty acids represent your densest fuel supply. However, fats cannot enter your engine cylinders without a specialized fuel pump. NOW Foods L-Carnitine Tartrate Pure Powder provides pure Carnipure® to carry fatty acids directly into your cellular furnaces, fueling physical stamina and post-workout muscle recovery.
- ✓Active Form & Potency: Delivers 635 mg of elemental L-Carnitine from 950 mg of stabilized L-Carnitine Tartrate per 1/4 level teaspoon.
- ✓Primary Target: Supports mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (beta-oxidation) and helps buffer working muscles against exercise-induced strain.
- ✓Supply & Value: Approximately 89 servings per bottle deliver a near 3-month supply, maximizing daily cost efficiency.
- ✓Purity & Dietary Status: 100% Pure Powder with zero excipients, non-GMO, vegan-friendly, and screened free of major allergens.
Buyer's Guide & Form Comparison
Why the Form Matters
Unbonded free-base carnitine acts like a moisture magnet. It rapidly pulls water vapor (H2O) out of room air, dissolving into a ruined, sticky mess within days. NOW solves this stability issue by binding pure L-carnitine to natural L-tartaric acid. This creates Carnipure® L-Carnitine Tartrate, a crystalline salt that resists ambient humidity, dissolves effortlessly in liquid, and absorbs swiftly in the digestive tract.
Furthermore, generic big-box store powders often rely on cheap, unrefined synthesis methods. These shortcuts frequently leave behind toxic chemical residues and biologically inactive D-carnitine isomers. NOW utilizes patented Carnipure® raw material to guarantee 100% optical L-isomer purity that feeds directly into working muscle tissue.
Is This Formula Right for You?
Best Choice For:
- ✓Athletes & Active Trainers: Individuals mixing pre-workout or post-workout shakes who want customized, highly absorbable amino acid support.
- ✓Pill-Averse Shoppers: Anyone who dislikes swallowing large compressed tablets or gelatin capsules.
- ✓Clean-Label Purists & Vegans: Shoppers seeking zero excipients, flow agents, or binders, and plant-based eaters with low dietary carnitine intake.
Consider Another Option If:
- ✗You Need Pre-Measured Portability: Travelers who prefer swallowing a pre-portioned capsule on the go should choose NOW L-Carnitine Veg Capsules.
- ✗You Seek Cognitive Focus: Shoppers targeting mental sharpness or memory should choose Acetyl-L-Carnitine, which readily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
- ✗You Have a Thyroid Condition: Individuals diagnosed with low thyroid activity should avoid carnitine unless under direct medical guidance.
Backed by our 31-year reputation since 1995, VitaNet®, LLC guarantees your satisfaction with an unconditional 100% money-back guarantee, even on opened bottles, allowing you to evaluate digestive tolerance completely risk-free.
How It Works in the Body
Think of your muscle cells as busy factory floors. Inside each cell sit microscopic furnaces called power generators (mitochondria). Your body stores long-chain fatty acids as heavy wood logs. However, the inner furnace gates (inner mitochondrial membranes) are completely locked to raw fats.
L-Carnitine functions as a specialized cellular forklift. At the outer furnace boundary, a docking enzyme (Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase-1, or CPT-1) links carnitine to the fatty acid. A transport channel (Carnitine-Acylcarnitine Translocase, or CACT) then ferries the fuel across the membrane into the furnace core [3]. Once inside, an internal enzyme (CPT-2) unloads the fat for combustion (beta-oxidation), generating clean cellular energy (adenosine triphosphate, or ATP) [3].
Beyond delivering fuel, carnitine sweeps out cellular ash. Strenuous exercise produces excess acidic waste inside muscle cells. L-Carnitine binds these leftover acetyl groups, freeing up vital transport molecules (Coenzyme A) so muscles continue contracting smoothly without premature fatigue [3].
Clinical human trials confirm that L-Carnitine Tartrate protects working muscles from intense physical stress. In controlled studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that athletes experienced 41% to 45% less muscle tissue disruption following strenuous squat exercise [1]. Blood tests showed significant drops in muscle breakdown markers, including creatine kinase (CK) [1]. Additional clinical research demonstrates that carnitine tartrate increases androgen receptor density on muscle cells, helping muscle tissue rebuild efficiently after resistance training [2].
Daily Timing, Synergy & Realistic Timelines
Best Time to Take
Mix 1/4 level teaspoon into water or juice with a meal containing carbohydrates or protein. Carbohydrates trigger an insulin release, which acts like an electric switch. This switch opens cellular doorways (OCTN2 organic cation transporters), pulling carnitine directly into muscle tissue [4].
Daily Schedule
Take your serving in the morning with breakfast or 30 to 60 minutes before exercising. Because carnitine stimulates cellular fat burning, consuming it late in the evening may increase alertness and delay restful sleep.
Smart Pairings & Spacing
Pair this powder with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). While carnitine transports fatty acids into cellular furnaces, CoQ10 transfers electrons within the furnace to generate ATP. It also pairs effectively with Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), which supports Coenzyme A production. Maintain a 2-hour window away from thyroid hormone medications, and consult your physician if taking anticoagulant drugs like warfarin.
What to Expect Over Time
- Days 1–7 (Initial Uptake & Adaptation): The pure tartrate powder dissolves instantly. Blood carnitine levels elevate steadily without causing stomach upset.
- Weeks 3–4 (Tissue Saturation & Recovery): Muscle carnitine reserves build significantly. You may notice reduced post-exercise soreness, faster bounce-back between training sessions, and improved stamina [1].
- Months 2–3+ (Metabolic Efficiency & Peak Retention): Skeletal muscle reaches full carnitine saturation. Your metabolic pathways consistently mobilize fatty acids for clean, sustained endurance [4].
Physical Feel, Sensory Traits & Clean Ingredients
Pill Format & Ease of Use
This formula is a 100% pure crystalline powder, completely eliminating the need to swallow bulky pills. Measure 1/4 level teaspoon (approximately 950 mg) and stir into 4 to 8 ounces of water, citrus juice, or your favorite fitness drink. It dissolves cleanly and rapidly without gritty sediment.
Natural Aroma, Taste & Color
The powder is pure white with a clean, neutral scent. Because pure L-carnitine is bonded to natural food-grade tartaric acid, the powder has a pleasant, crisp tartness that tastes like mild unsweetened lemon water. It blends seamlessly into tart fruit juices and fruit smoothies.
Other Ingredients Explained
Other Ingredients: None. This product contains zero excipients, zero anti-caking flow agents (such as silicon dioxide or magnesium stearate), zero capsule shells, and zero artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives. It delivers solely unadulterated, pure nutritional active material.
Proper Storage
Carnitine tartrate powder naturally attracts ambient moisture. Always screw the cap on tightly immediately after use. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not remove or eat the enclosed non-toxic freshness packet, which safeguards the crystalline powder against humidity.
Manufacturer Quality & Lab Testing Standards
The nutritional supplement market is crowded with unverified third-party sellers and sub-potent raw materials. NOW Foods protects your health by operating private, state-of-the-art analytical testing facilities accredited to international ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Every incoming batch of raw Carnipure® powder undergoes rigorous internal verification:
- ✓Chiral Optical Purity (HPLC Testing): Carnitine exists in two mirror-image forms: L-carnitine and synthetic D-carnitine. Synthetic D-carnitine is toxic because it blocks carnitine uptake and depletes muscle stores. NOW uses High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to verify 100% active L-isomer purity, confirming zero synthetic D-carnitine contamination.
- ✓Heavy Metal Clearance (ICP-MS): Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), chemists detect elemental contaminants down to parts per billion (ppb). Every batch meets strict safety thresholds for Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Mercury that surpass California Proposition 65 limits.
- ✓Microbiological Pathogen Clearance: Automated DNA-based assays verify the total absence of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, alongside strict caps on yeasts and molds.
These comprehensive testing protocols protect consumers against unlisted chemical fillers and heavy metal contamination often discovered in commodity discount brands sold at big-box retail stores.
Complete Supplement Facts Panel
| Supplement Facts | Serving Size: 1/4 Level Teaspoon (approx. 950 mg) |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Container: about 89 | |
| Description | Amount Per Serving & % Daily Value |
|
L-Carnitine (Carnipure®) (from 950 mg L-Carnitine Tartrate) |
635 mg** |
| ** Daily Value not established. | |
Other Ingredients: None.
Allergen Safety: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Caution: For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition (including thyroid disorder). Keep out of reach of children.
Do not eat freshness packet enclosed. This product is sold by weight not volume. Natural color variation may occur in this product. Carnipure® is a Lonza trademark. Family owned since 1968. Packaged and quality tested in the USA. Store in a cool, dry place after opening.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Scientific References & Clinical Studies
- Volek, J. S., Kraemer, W. J., Rubin, M. R., Gómez, A. L., Ratamess, N. A., & Gaynor, P. (2002). "L-Carnitine L-tartrate supplementation favorably affects markers of recovery from exercise stress." American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 282(2), E474-E482. [PMID: 11788381]. View on PubMed
- Kraemer, W. J., Spiering, B. A., Volek, J. S., Ratamess, N. A., Sharman, M. J., Rubin, M. R., French, D. N., Silas, R., Hatfield, D. L., Lee, E. C., & Maresh, C. M. (2006). "Androgenic responses to resistance exercise: effects of feeding and L-carnitine." Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(7), 1288-1296. [PMID: 16826026]. View on PubMed
- Fielding, R., Riede, L., Lugo, J. P., & Bellamine, A. (2018). "l-Carnitine Supplementation in Recovery after Exercise." Nutrients, 10(3), 349. [PMID: 29534031]. View on PubMed
- Wall, B. T., Stephens, F. B., Constantin-Teodosiu, D., Marimuthu, K., Macdonald, I. A., & Greenhaff, P. L. (2011). "Chronic oral ingestion of L-carnitine and carbohydrate increases muscle carnitine content and alters muscle fuel metabolism during exercise in humans." The Journal of Physiology, 589(4), 963-973. [PMID: 21224234]. View on PubMed
Frequently Asked Questions
How does L-Carnitine Tartrate pure powder taste, and what is the best way to mix it?
This powder has a clean, naturally tart taste similar to mild unsweetened lemon juice due to natural tartaric acid. It dissolves instantly in water, lemonade, or orange juice. You can also blend it easily into pre-workout drinks and fruit smoothies.
Why choose pure powder over pre-made capsules or tablets?
Pure powder contains zero excipients, binders, or capsule shells, giving you 100% active nutrients. It eliminates the need to swallow large pills, allows fully adjustable milligram dosing, and provides approximately 89 servings per bottle for maximum economic value.
