Pyruvate vs. L-carnitine: Which one should I take?

I’m wondering which of these two options works better if I'm trying to lose weight alongside aerobic training? Is it even okay to combine them?
The folks over at MuscleTech told me that combining Pyruvate with CLA capsules is the best way to maximize results..
Has anyone here actually used all three of these products? So far, I've been using L-carnitine and the results have been pretty good. Apparently, Pyruvate is supposed to be much more powerful..

Honestly, neither of those options is the answer—what you really need is just a solid, clean diet and plenty of cardio sessions

goldenfox24 said:Neither one works; you just need a clean diet and plenty of cardio.

I disagree... and that doesn't actually answer my question.

Thanks anyway.

I’ve personally tried both of them—and look, of course MuscleTech is going to claim their version is superior just to move more inventory—but you really shouldn't take everything at face value. Honestly, if I'm being completely truthful, what actually moved the needle for me was simply tightening up my nutrition and staying consistent with my training sessions.

If your diet is dialed in, you'll lose weight without any of this crap... if it isn't, none of this will save you.

If you've got money to burn, I'd say invest in high-quality omega-3s. Go heavy on them—maybe 10-15 capsules a day...

goldenfox24 said:I've tried both, and obviously MuscleTech is going to claim their version is superior just to move product. Don't believe everything you hear; honestly, all I've seen progress from is better nutrition and staying consistent with my workouts.

I've been training for about a year now, and I've stuck exclusively to L-carnitine.
I know the difference between training without any supplements versus when I use L-carnitine. The results are definitely better with it. That said, I don't think these products work the same way for everyone. For some people, there’s zero difference; for others, it works wonders.
I'm not sure how much MuscleTech is exaggerating their marketing, especially since the price for a box of ampoules is pretty much the same for both (okay, maybe the pyruvate option is slightly more expensive). But the reason I even started this thread is because the descriptions claim they have the same effect as L-carnitine, just with an extra boost to metabolism—which, in my case, is painfully slow.

How many times a day do you typically sit down for a meal?

Nicholas Kern90 said:If your diet is dialed in perfectly, you'll lose weight even without supplements... if it isn't, nothing else is going to save you.

If you've got extra cash to burn, I'd always suggest investing in high-quality Omega-3s—take them in larger doses, maybe 10-15 capsules a day.

It’s tough to maintain a perfect diet when you're working and don't have the time to meal prep things like steamed carrots and skinless chicken breasts at home...
I try to stick to the rules, but unfortunately, my lifestyle makes it impossible sometimes—so you just eat whatever is available in the office cafeteria to keep from crashing while you're grinding through work...
Bottom line: For me, the solution is training, a balanced diet, plus some supplements.

goldenfox24 said:How many meals are you eating per day?

I stick to three main meals (trying to make sure dinner isn't later than 6 PM... or 7 PM at the absolute latest)
I don't really do snacks, and if I do, it's just some fruit
Of course, I "slip up" with something high-calorie once in a while, but whatever 😢 - it happens - I'm not a robot😢

Get your nutrition dialed in—I’m talking about adding three snacks to those three main meals. Look, nobody is perfect, not even God Himself, but let's not try to challenge Him on that one! The real goal here is to stay focused on shrinking that midsection; just start reading through everything, and once you've finished, it'll all click into place for you.

I’ll personally hand you my L-carnitine since it clearly doesn't do a damn thing! 😂

If I had actually kept all the cash I wasted on MuscleTech for those useless little drinks... man, what a joke!

Both of them are just a complete waste of money

ironwolf52 said:I'll just give you my L-carnitine since it doesn't even work! 😂

As if I’d kept all the cash I wasted on MuscleTech for those little drinks! Please!

The juice versions have a way lower concentration of L-carnitine than the ampoules, so naturally, they aren't nearly as effective.

Bryan Fowler4 said:both of them are just a waste of money

Please, stop telling me things like that because you aren't actually answering my question. If I tried something and saw it worked, you can't just convince me otherwise.

So, I need an answer from someone who has used both so they can tell me which supplement is better.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting around on my couch eating Big Macs looking for some magic cure. I work out, I watch what I eat, and I take L-carnitine. Based on a suggestion from someone else, I'm thinking about trying Pyruvate. So—I am just asking for personal experience.

Linda Castillo94 said:Look, please, just stop with this kind of talk because you aren't actually answering my question. If I tried something once and saw firsthand that it worked for me, you aren't going to convince me otherwise.

L-Carnitine is absolute garbage. It’s a total waste of money.

Linda Castillo94, L-Carnitine and Pyruvate are a waste of time.
They don't work.

It's nothing more than a placebo effect.

If you want results, the ECA stack is the only way, though ephedrine is illegal here.

You'd be better off spending that money on a new pair of running shoes.☕

Jason Campbell70 said:Linda Castillo94, L-carnitine and pyruvates are garbage.
They don't work.

It's nothing more than a placebo.

The only thing that actually works is the ECA stack, but ephedrine is illegal.

You're better off spending that money on some new running shoes.☕

Have you tried both?

jadetiger962 said:L-Carnitine is useless garbage. A total waste of money.

Do I really need to say it again? 😕

Linda Castillo94 said:Have you tried both?

I used some L-carnitine for a short stretch by mixing it into an isotonic drink.

But hey, I haven't gone and shot myself in the head yet, though I'm pretty sure that wouldn't end well.😉

If you really want to... just go ahead and spend your money on L-carnitine or Pyruvate.🙏

goldenfox24 said:Neither one works on its own; you just need a clean diet and plenty of cardio training.

You're being contradictory.
If it helps people who are significantly overweight, why wouldn't it help someone who is just 10 to 15 pounds over?
I still believe that everyone's body reacts differently, and what works for one person won't work for everyone.