gPLC (glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine)

gPLC is a loosely chemically bound (so the body can make use of the constituent parts) combination of glycine, propionic acid (a common fatty acid) and l-carnitine, which is well known as a transporter of fats around the body and this form is optimum for cardiovascular support. L-carnitine serves a vital role in transporting fatty acids across the mitochondria for energy production. This occurs in liver, heart and muscle tissues, which are reliant on fat for energy metabolism. Propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) is a form of L-carnitine that is more readily absorbed into the myocardial cells where it may help to support energy metabolism. Carnitine helps to transport fatty acids to the mitochondria where they are used in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy molecule. ATP levels in the heart need to be replenished on a regular basis since cells cannot store much of this important compound. PLC plays a key role in this process. Research suggests that PLC has positive effects on energy and cardiovascular health.
gPLC, like the slightly earlier supplement acetyl L-carnitine, is also very good at transporting carnitine into the brain, where it forms acetyl L-carnitine, already well known to support brain metabolism and suspected to be an important neurotransmitter.
Compared with other forms of carnitine, PLC exhibits a special affinity for muscle tissues, such as the heart. GPLC is a powerful scavenger against superoxide radicals and it protects against lipid peroxidation. GPLC contributes to muscle function by compensating for reduced oxygen availability during exercise and it provides powerful support for peripheral arterial blood flow. Under reduced oxygen conditions, GPLC also promotes proper carbohydrate metabolism and reduces the buildup of lactic acid.
This would all appear to mean that gPLC should and does help two sorts of people; those with compromised heart function and those who need optimum heart and muscle function because they do a great deal of heavy exercise. Because gPLC acts to burn more fat, it might also spare carbohydrates and lessen muscle breakdown during exercise - but no trials have yet been done on that.