# Are there any disadvantages/dangers to taking L-Carnatine supplements?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-disadvantages-dangers-to-taking-l-carnatine-supplements/353885>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 23, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-disadvantages-dangers-to-taking-l-carnatine-supplements/353885 "2006-04-23T20:07:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-disadvantages-dangers-to-taking-l-carnatine-supplements/353885/1 "2006-04-23T20:07:26Z")

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In an effort to lose weight before my upcoming holiday, I’ve decided to combine cardio workouts with L-Carnatine supplements. Does this substance trigger any disadvantageous side effects in a reasonably healthy person? Google has not proven helpful. Thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-disadvantages-dangers-to-taking-l-carnatine-supplements/353885/2 "2006-04-23T20:19:51Z")

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Funny coincidence, I started taking it just a twp weeks ago for an Atrial Fibrillation problem. None of the websites I scanned about this supplement listed any adverse side effects, used in reasonable amounts (not more than two grams a day).

Dr Weill at [http://www.drweil.com/u/QA/QA89084/](http://www.drweil.com/u/QA/QA89084/) is a strong advocate for it for a number of conditions.

I started with two 500 mg/day for three days and still had some symptoms, so increased to three a day. So far (14 days) it has been very effective in controling my problem, and have not noticed any side effects at all. I am combining it with 50 mg/day of Coenzime Q10.

The L-Carintine is also supposed to help with memory problems, and we can all use help there, eh?

Hope it helps.