L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid that plays an important role in the energy metabolism of cells. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement to enhance athletic performance and support overall health. In horses, L-carnitine has added potential for supplementation due to low intake from a herbivorous diet and our demand for sustained periods of work, something evolution hadn’t bargained for.
L-Carnitine for Energy
L-Carnitine is known to increase the production of energy by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria of cells, where they can be burned for fuel. This can help horses perform better during exercise, as it provides them with a greater amount of energy to use. L-Carnitine may also help reduce muscle fatigue and improve recovery time after exercise.
It is not only performance horses this may benefit, L-Carnitine is often used to aid weight loss by supporting fat transport, metabolic health and exercise tolerance.
L-Carnitine and Muscles
L-Carnitine is reputed to help build muscle strength and improve recovery and is often supplemented by strength athletes. This benefit has been reported in horses with published research finding improved muscular adaptation to exercise in Standardbred horses compared to their controls.
L-Carnitine can also be a helpful addition to your management routine for horses prone to tying-up as it supports healthy muscle function and recovery. It also helps horses to utilise fat in the diet, which is often used to meet the calorific requirements of PSSM horses.
Stallion Fertility
Seminal L-Carnitine concentration has been shown to positively correlate with sperm concentration and motility, an association reflective of the high energy needs of sperm cells. Studies suggest that L-Carnitine can benefit stallions with poor seminal characteristics, and also helps to maintain the quality of post-thawed semen.
ALCAR for Horses
AlCAR is a common name for acetyl-L-Carnitine. ALCAR has gained attention due to studies demonstrating an improved ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. L-Carnitine remains the logical choice for muscular and athletic performance.
Nupafeed Staying Power
L-Carnitine Supplement for Horses
Staying Power is a patent-protected, pharmaceutical-grade L-Carnitine supplement for horses. The standard feeding rate for a 500Kg horse provides 10g of L-carnitine, the amount used in published trials in horses.
Staying Power uniquely combines L-Carnitine with MAH® Magnesium, a nutrient that works in synergy with L-Carnitine to enhance its application in every aspect.
Staying Power is a useful supplement for horses that are involved in high-intensity exercise or to support specific health needs, notably to support muscular and metabolic health.