Aspartate, asparagine, and carnitine have been investigated for their beneficial effects on exercise. Aspartate and asparagine are precursors to oxaloacetate which may play a role in fatty acid oxidation via the citric acid cycle. In addition, carnitine is important for the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria where the citric acid cycle occurs. Studies show that combinations of asparagine, aspartate and carnitine can spare glycogen by increasing the oxidation of fatty acids in the mitochondria. This suggests that these supplements may be able to spare glycogen during exercise by facilitating the oxidation of fatty acids. This would tend to suggest that these supplements may be useful to endurance athletes and those with a requirement to prolonged exercise before exhaustion. Further, these supplements may help those who wish to lose body fat as they may increase the rate at which fat is oxidised and this may therefore increase the utilisation of body fat for energy needs.
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