NOW Foods L-Carnitine Liquid 1000mg Citrus 32 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 each 1-tablespoon (15 mL) serving. The bottle holds 32 fl. oz. (946 mL), which the Supplement Facts panel states is about 63 servings — roughly a 63-day supply at the label's one-tablespoon-daily serving. The carnitine is Carnipure, a branded free-form base; Carnipure is a Lonza trademark. The product is made by NOW Foods of Bloomingdale, Illinois, and sold under the company's NOW Sports line.

This is the 32-ounce bottle in the citrus liquid format. Because the liquid is measured by the spoonful rather than counted out as capsules, the serving is fixed by the panel at one tablespoon, and the bottle size is what changes between pack options. See also Amino Acids & BCAAs.

What's inside

The panel declares four items per serving, and the ingredient list behind them is short. Here is what each one is.

• L-Carnitine (Carnipure) (Free-Form Base) — 1 g (1,000 mg). The label describes carnitine as a non-essential amino acid. It occurs naturally in red meat and other animal-source foods; the carnitine used in this product is non-animal sourced, which is consistent with the Vegan mark printed on the bottle. "Free-form base" refers to the form supplied, as distinct from a carnitine salt such as tartrate. No Daily Value has been established for carnitine, so the panel marks it with a dagger.
• Vitamin B-6 (from Pyridoxine HCl) — 2 mg, 118% Daily Value. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a common synthetic form of vitamin B-6. The 118% figure reconciles against the current 1.7 mg adult Daily Value: 2 ÷ 1.7 = 117.6, which rounds to the printed 118%. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet on vitamin B-6 gives general background on the nutrient; it does not refer to this product.
• Stevia Extract (Leaf) — 16 mg. Stevia is a leaf extract used as a sweetener. On this panel it is a weighed row in its own right rather than an unquantified entry in the ingredient list, and it is the only sweetener the label declares.
• Calories 15 and Total Carbohydrate 4 g (1% DV). Four grams of carbohydrate at four calories per gram accounts for essentially all of the 15 calories in a serving.

Other ingredients, transcribed in the label's order: De-ionized Water, Vegetable Glycerin, L-Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate (as preservative) and Lemon (Citrus limon) Oil. The vegetable glycerin and water make up the liquid base, the two acids and the lemon oil carry the citrus character, and potassium sorbate is named on the label as the preservative.

The bottle carries an Informed Sport mark ("we test · you trust"), a Steroid Tested diamond, a Vegan mark, a Non-GMO mark, a kosher-style mark, and a GMP Quality Assured roundel. For general background on how supplements are used around training, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements publishes a consumer sheet on dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance, which does not refer to this product. Panels for products across the category can be looked up in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

How to use it

The label's suggested usage reads: shake well before using, then take 1 tablespoon daily, preferably on an empty stomach. Those are the complete printed directions — the label sets no time of day and gives no second serving.

For storage the label says to store in a cool, dry, dark place after opening. The label also notes that natural color variation may occur in this product.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults 18 and over who want carnitine in a measured liquid rather than in capsule form. A 946 mL bottle at one tablespoon a day works out to roughly two months of daily servings, so it suits someone who has already settled on a routine and wants to restock less often, rather than someone trying the format for the first time. Anyone who finds capsules awkward to swallow may prefer a spoonful that can be taken straight.

It is not suitable for children, and the label restricts it to adults only. See also Sports Nutrition and Health & Wellness.

Good to know

The label's caution reads, in full: 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. The thyroid and anticoagulant wording is printed on this product's own panel, so speak to a clinician first if either applies to you.

Allergen statement, as printed: 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.

The panel states the product is made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. NOW Foods describes itself on the label as family and employee owned. The asterisk that appears beside statements on the packaging refers to the FDA's structure/function claims rules. General safety background on supplement use is available from NCCIH; neither source refers to this product.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many servings are in the bottle?

About 63, according to the Supplement Facts panel. The bottle holds 32 fl. oz. (946 mL) and the serving size is 1 tablespoon (15 mL), which divides out to just over 63.

Is this product suitable for vegans?

The bottle carries a Vegan mark, and the packaging states that the carnitine used is non-animal sourced. Carnitine occurs naturally in red meat and other animal-source foods, so the non-animal sourcing is the reason a carnitine product can carry that mark. The allergen statement also says the product is not manufactured with milk, egg, fish or shellfish ingredients.

What sweetener does it contain?

Stevia Extract (Leaf), 16 mg per serving, which is listed as its own weighed row on the Supplement Facts panel. No other sweetener is declared anywhere on the label.

When should I take it?

Once daily, preferably on an empty stomach, after shaking the bottle well. That is the complete printed instruction; the label does not specify a time of day or tie the serving to exercise.

Is the order shipped discreetly?

Yes. Orders ship in plain 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.