The Role of l Carnitine in Mitochondria, Prevention of Metabolic Inflexibility and Disease Initiation Carnitine metabolism in hypertensive heart failure Hypertension Research Carnitine is an essential cofactor for transport of long chain fatty acids into mitochondria, where oxidation takes place. Carnitine deficiency leads to depressed mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids, resulting in storage of fat Acylcarnitine an overview ScienceDirect Topics Medium chain fatty acid oxidation is independent of l carnitine in liver and kidney but not in heart and skeletal muscle American Journal of Physiology Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology American Physiological Society