Which of these supplements is responsible?

[Louis Balfour]

Two weeks ago, I added L-carnitine back into my supplements. 1500mg in the morning.

A week ago I added L-arginine 1000mg in the evening with my other supplements.

I've increased water slightly, because I wasn't drinking enough. I have also started drinking two cups of tea per day (replacing one coffee).

Quite quickly, I am looking and feeling leaner, my clothes are looser, but have gained about a kilo in weight. I also seem to have a better mood.

I've not previously found L-carnitine to do much apart from help shed body fat. I have not witnessed much in terms of hypertrophy or changed mood.

Could it be the L-arginine?

[Badda]

In one week you are noticeably physically leaner but heavier by 1kg. Seems highly unlikely to me as the only way this would happen is drastic fat loss combined with significant muscle gain which I doubt is possible in a week.

[Hugo Stiglitz v2]

I can't help but I am interested in this L-carnitine

[Badda]

Naturally we’re all guzzling these now but can’t quite believe the result.

[Louis Balfour]

I am quite prepared to believe the physical change is movement of water. Trading subcutaneous for intra-muscular. Two weeks is not a long time and I haven’t piled on 2kg of muscle.

Why it might have happened I don’t know and the mood is intriguing.

[Regbuser]

among other effects, L-c increases sperm count, and L-a improves blood flow, so may treat erectile dysfunction

Are you going to be sharing any happy news soon ..?!

[popeyewhite]

It's neither. Even if the l-carnitine was to increase test by a significant enough amount that you'd lean out, it would take longer than two weeks for adaptation to occur. L-arginine is just a vaso dilator really, but can increase libido. Something else is happening.

[Hugo Stiglitz v2]

OK I've taken ONE L-arginine so far.

I'm hungry, more than usual and feel slightly odd? Is it psychosomatic?

[popeyewhite]

Hugo Stiglitz v2 said:

OK I've taken ONE L-arginine so far.

I'm hungry, more than usual and feel slightly odd? Is it psychosomatic?

No, LA is a nos (nitric oxide) enhancer. It increases muscle pump.

[Louis Balfour]

popeyewhite said:

Hugo Stiglitz v2 said:

OK I've taken ONE L-arginine so far.

I'm hungry, more than usual and feel slightly odd? Is it psychosomatic?

No, LA is a nos (nitric oxide) enhancer. It increases muscle pump.

That might explain why I am looking wham.

The body weight increase could be water retention. I have increased fluids, but not the extent that my body has shed all its excess water, I don't think.

[popeyewhite]

Louis Balfour said:

popeyewhite said:

Hugo Stiglitz v2 said:

OK I've taken ONE L-arginine so far.

I'm hungry, more than usual and feel slightly odd? Is it psychosomatic?

No, LA is a nos (nitric oxide) enhancer. It increases muscle pump.

That might explain why I am looking wham.

The body weight increase could be water retention. I have increased fluids, but not the extent that my body has shed all its excess water, I don't think.

I'd look for another reason if I'm honest. There's no proven relationship between l-a and water retention AFAIA. I think it may even be a mild diuretic, not sure though.

[Louis Balfour]

popeyewhite said:

Louis Balfour said:

popeyewhite said:

Hugo Stiglitz v2 said:

OK I've taken ONE L-arginine so far.

I'm hungry, more than usual and feel slightly odd? Is it psychosomatic?

No, LA is a nos (nitric oxide) enhancer. It increases muscle pump.

That might explain why I am looking wham.

The body weight increase could be water retention. I have increased fluids, but not the extent that my body has shed all its excess water, I don't think.

I'd look for another reason if I'm honest. There's no proven relationship between l-a and water retention AFAIA. I think it may even be a mild diuretic, not sure though.

Weigh-in day today and I’ve lost the additional weight again. It was water somewhere along the line I think.

When I’ve used L-carnitine before, it’s been in conjunction with keto. I am not low carb at the moment and am pondering whether it may be a waste of time and not worth the (admittedly mild) side effects.

[the-norseman]

Might give them both a try

[Louis Balfour]

the-norseman said:

Might give them both a try

I used to find L-carnitine helpful for fat loss on keto. But in higher doses than I am now taking.

Careful with it though, it can cause explosive gut issues in some people.