SS-31 vs L-Carnitine
Side-by-side comparison of SS-31 and L-Carnitine: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and vendor pricing.
Price snapshot
SS-31
L-Carnitine
SS-31
SS-31 (elamipretide; MTP-131; formerly Bendavia; chemical sequence D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 with dimethyltyrosine at position 2) is a first-in-class aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide designed to selectively target the inner…
Lowest listed price: $72.00 across 4 listings
Full SS-31 profileL-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring quaternary ammonium compound synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine, with essential cofactor roles in fatty acid metabolism, energy production, and…
Lowest listed price: $34.99 across 4 listings
Full L-Carnitine profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | SS-31 | L-Carnitine |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mitochondrial Peptides | Weight Loss |
| Research Stage | Clinical/Approved | Dietary Supplement (Food Ingredient) |
| Mechanism of Action | SS-31's mechanism of action is distinctive among mitochondrial interventions because it exploits a fundamental physical property of the inner mitochondrial membrane - the high concentration of cardiolipin, a signature mitochondrial anionic phospholipid - to… | L-Carnitine's mechanisms extend beyond the simple "fat-burning nutrient" label. Understanding these mechanisms helps predict where supplementation will and will not produce meaningful effects. The carnitine shuttle — core mechanism. The fundamental role of… |
| Half-Life | ~2-4 hours (plasma, after subcutaneous injection); tissue residence is longer due to cardiolipin binding | — |
| Typical Dose Range | 20-60 mg | 500 mg - 2000 mg daily (oral or injection) |
| Dosing Frequency | Once daily subcutaneous (some protocols use 5-6 days per week) | — |
| Administration | — | — |
| Side Effects | SS-31 (elamipretide) has been generally well-tolerated across clinical trials spanning over a decade of human exposure, with adverse event profiles dominated by injection site reactions rather than systemic toxicity. This favorable safety profile reflects both… | L-Carnitine has an excellent safety profile across decades of clinical use, with most adverse effects being mild, dose-related, and self-limiting. Serious adverse events are rare. Gastrointestinal effects (most common). Diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea.… |
| Molecular Weight | 639.8 g/mol | 161.20 g/mol |
| Common Vial Sizes | — | — |
Price History
2 data points- Ion Peptide
- BHG Labs
Price History
3 data points- Half Nattys
- Disguised Alpha
SS-31: potential benefits
- No structured benefit list published.
L-Carnitine: potential benefits
- Enhanced fat metabolism
- Improved exercise performance
- Reduced muscle damage and recovery time
- Neuroprotective effects (acetyl-L-carnitine)
- Mitochondrial function support
- Improved insulin sensitivity
Frequently asked
What's the difference between SS-31 and L-Carnitine?
SS-31 is a mitochondrial peptides that ss-31's mechanism of action is distinctive among mitochondrial interventions because it exploits a fundamental physical property of the inner mitochondrial membrane - the high…. L-Carnitine is a weight loss that l-carnitine's mechanisms extend beyond the simple "fat-burning nutrient" label. understanding these mechanisms helps predict where supplementation will and will not produce…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (~2-4 hours (plasma, after subcutaneous injection); tissue residence is longer due to cardiolipin binding vs not reported), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, SS-31 or L-Carnitine?
SS-31 has a half-life of ~2-4 hours (plasma, after subcutaneous injection); tissue residence is longer due to cardiolipin binding. L-Carnitine has a half-life of not reported. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Which is cheaper, SS-31 or L-Carnitine?
Lowest listed price on BodyHackGuide: SS-31 from $72.00, L-Carnitine from $34.99. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently. See the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers.
Can you stack SS-31 and L-Carnitine?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. SS-31 and L-Carnitine should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds.
See current vendor prices
Listings from the vendors we track. Prices change often, so check the vendor before you buy.
Before you buy SS-31 or L-Carnitine
Check the vendor trust score. Every supplier we track is rated 0-100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and listings: one published, reproducible methodology, applied to every vendor.
Related comparisons
Research use only. BodyHackGuide is a research and price-comparison reference. The compounds discussed on this page are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research. Prices shown are pulled from vendor listings tracked on BHG and are subject to change. Every vendor is ranked on the same public, reproducible methodology. See editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.