carnitine
noun
car·ni·tine
ˈkär-nə-ˌtēn 
: a quaternary ammonium compound C7H15NO3 that is present especially in vertebrate muscle, that in the levorotatory form is involved in the transfer of fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes, and in humans is obtained from food (such as meat or milk) or is synthesized chiefly in the liver and kidneys from a lysine derivative
Examples of carnitine in a Sentence
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Energy drinks with caffeine may also have other ingredients like taurine, guarana, ginseng and L-carnitine.
—
Dr. Mark Corkins, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Side effects reported with carnitine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and a fishy body odor.1
5.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 20 Nov. 2024
Green tea extract can cause nausea and vomiting, and carnitine can cause heartburn and diarrhea.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for carnitine
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Dr. Mark Corkins, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Side effects reported with carnitine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and a fishy body odor.1
5.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 20 Nov. 2024
Green tea extract can cause nausea and vomiting, and carnitine can cause heartburn and diarrhea.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for carnitine
Cite this Entry
“Carnitine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnitine. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
carnitine
noun
car·ni·tine
ˈkär-nə-ˌtēn
: a quaternary ammonium compound C7H15NO3 that is present especially in vertebrate muscle, is involved in the transfer of fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes, and in humans is obtained from food (as meat or milk) or is synthesized from a lysine derivative
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