Here is some interesting information on l-carnitine, the first regarding horses, the second site for humans.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/horses/nutrition_vitamins.htm
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/carnitine/
After reading these articles, I’d stick to good nutrition to make sure the building blocks are there as absorption of the orally administered is questionable.
Kathy