NOW Foods L-Carnitine Liquid 1000mg Citrus 16 fl oz

What it is

NOW Sports Liquid L-Carnitine is a citrus-flavored liquid dietary supplement that provides 1,000 mg of free-form L-carnitine in every tablespoon. The bottle holds 16 fl. oz. (473 mL), and the Supplement Facts panel puts that at about 32 servings. The front of the bottle groups it with the brand's amino acid range, which is where it sits on this site too, alongside the rest of our Amino Acids & BCAAs stock.

The carnitine in this bottle is Carnipure®, a branded non-animal-sourced ingredient; Carnipure® is a Lonza trademark. Because it is already dissolved, there is nothing to scoop or count out — you measure one tablespoon and that is the serving. The liquid is dark, and the label notes that natural color variation may occur in this product.

What is in a tablespoon

Five nutrient rows appear on the Supplement Facts panel, and only two of them carry a Daily Value.

• L-Carnitine (Carnipure®), free-form base — 1 g (1,000 mg). Carnitine is an amino acid compound that occurs naturally in red meat and other animal-source foods. The material used here is produced without animal sourcing, which is why the bottle describes it as vegetarian. No Daily Value has been established for L-carnitine, so the panel marks this row with a dagger rather than a percentage.
• Vitamin B-6 (from pyridoxine HCl) — 2 mg, 118% of the Daily Value. This is the only vitamin or mineral in the formula. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements publishes a general consumer fact sheet on vitamin B6 covering what it is and where it occurs in the diet.
• Stevia Extract (Leaf) — 16 mg. Stevia leaf extract is the only sweetener named anywhere on the panel. It is what keeps a 1,000 mg amino acid dose drinkable without sugar.
• Total Carbohydrate — 4 g (1% DV) and Calories — 15, both per tablespoon. The carbohydrate comes mainly from the vegetable glycerin that forms part of the base.

The remainder of the bottle is the carrier. Other Ingredients are listed as de-ionized water, vegetable glycerin, malic acid, citric acid, natural flavors, potassium sorbate (as preservative) and lemon (Citrus limon) oil. Malic and citric acid are the two fruit acids that give the liquid its tartness; the lemon oil is where the citrus character actually comes from, and potassium sorbate is there to keep an opened bottle stable.

Supplement Facts

** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. † Daily Value not established.

Other Ingredients: De-ionized Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate (as preservative) and Lemon (Citrus limon) Oil.

How to use it

Shake well before using, then take 1 tablespoon daily, preferably on an empty stomach. That is the whole of the suggested usage printed on the bottle — one tablespoon, once a day. Use a standard kitchen tablespoon or a 15 mL measure.

Store in a cool, dry, dark place after opening. The dark bottle and that storage line go together: this is a liquid, not a powder or a capsule, and it is meant to be kept away from light and heat once the seal is broken.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults 18 and over who want L-carnitine in a measured liquid rather than a capsule. It belongs to the NOW Sports line, so it is positioned for active adults and sits in our Sports Nutrition range, but nothing about the format restricts it to athletes.

The liquid format suits two groups in particular: people who would rather not swallow capsules, and people who want a full 1,000 mg measured out in one spoonful instead of counting pills. Because the carnitine is non-animal sourced, it is also a practical option for vegetarians, who have few dietary sources of carnitine given that it occurs mainly in red meat and other animal-source foods. For general background on how supplements are regulated and labeled, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements maintains a plain-language guide on what you need to know about dietary supplements.

Good to know

Allergens. The bottle states that it is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or sesame ingredients, and that it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Caution, as printed. For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication (especially thyroid hormones or anticoagulant medications), or have a medical condition, including thyroid disease. Keep out of reach of children.

Who makes it. The panel reads “Manufactured by NOW Foods, 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, IL 60108 USA”, and adds that the product is made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. A GMP roundel and two kosher-style marks are printed on the side panel; the panel does not name the certifying bodies behind them. You will find more NOW Sports items in our Health & Wellness department. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements also publishes an overview of dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance, which discusses this category generally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much L-carnitine is in each serving?

Each 1-tablespoon (15 mL) serving provides 1 g — 1,000 mg — of free-form L-carnitine, listed on the panel as Carnipure®. The same spoonful also carries 2 mg of vitamin B-6 and 16 mg of stevia leaf extract, for 15 calories in total.

Is this suitable for vegetarians?

Yes — the bottle describes its carnitine as vegetarian and non-animal sourced. Carnitine in the diet normally comes from red meat and other animal-source foods, so a non-animal-sourced liquid is one of the few routes available to someone who does not eat meat.

What does it taste like, and what sweetens it?

It is a citrus-flavored liquid sweetened with stevia leaf extract, which at 16 mg per tablespoon is the only sweetener listed on the Supplement Facts panel. The citrus note comes from natural flavors and lemon (Citrus limon) oil, with malic and citric acid supplying tartness.

How many servings does the bottle hold?

About 32, according to the Supplement Facts panel — 16 fl. oz. (473 mL) divided into 1-tablespoon measures. At the suggested one tablespoon daily, that is roughly a month of use from a single bottle.

How will my order be packaged?

Your order ships in plain, unbranded outer packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

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. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.