Carnitine

Carnitine is made from the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine, and is needed to release energy from fat. It is considered a "conditionally essential" nutrient, as the need for cartintine can exceed the amount produced during infancy, pregnancy, and breast-feeding.

Five Facts on Carnitine Supplements: 

Essential for the formation of sperm, sperm matruation, and sperm quality and count
Women naturally lose carnitine in the body during the first trimester of pregnancy
The body needs lysine, methionine, niacin, iron, vitamin C and B6 to produce carnitine
Carnitine supplements are available in three forms: L-carnitine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Propionyl-L-Carnitine
Recommended Fertility Dosage: 1000 mg

Carnitine helps the body produce energy and is important for brain and heart function, as well as muscle movement.  

Carnitine plays a powerful role in the process of sperm formation, sperm maturation, and sperm quality and count. It is responsible for the development of the sperm membrane and sperm in the testes, as well as the metabolic processes as an energy source following ejaculation.

Since women naturally lose carnitine as soon as the first trimester of pregnancy, it may be beneficial for women to increase carnitine in the body before becoming pregnant.

It is rare for a person to have a deficiency of carnitine since the body produces it, however it has been found that people with rare genetic disorders may experience a deficiency.

Food Sources of Carnitine:

The best and easiest food source of carnitine includes:

• red meat
• pork
• dairy.  

There are also trace amounts of carnitine in nuts, seeds, legumes, asparagus, avocados, artichokes, broccoli, grains, apricots, and bananas. 

Supplements:

Carnitine supplements are available in three forms:

• L-carnitine
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine
• Propionyl-L-Carnitine. 

Carnitine supplements are often recommended for strict vegetarians, vegans, and those with carnitine deficiencies. 

Dosage:

500 mg, twice a day.

Cautions:

Avoid D-carnitine supplements, as they interfere with the natural form of L-carnitine.