Two of the five actives in Slimqa Slim Coffee Booster need a little explaining. Here is what L-carnitine (300 mg) and curcumin (100 mg) are, where they appear in the diet and the one caution to read.
The last two actives on the Slimqa label are the ones most people have to look up: L-carnitine and curcumin. Neither has an authorised health statement, so this guide simply explains what they are, where they turn up in everyday food and what dose a stick provides. One stick of Slimqa Slim Coffee Booster contains 300 mg of L-carnitine and 100 mg of curcumin. For the whole formula, see the ingredients explained guide, or visit the Slimqa home page.
What is L-carnitine?
L-carnitine is an amino acid compound, a close relative of the building blocks of protein. The body produces it itself, mainly in the liver and kidneys, using two amino acids (lysine and methionine), so it is not a vitamin and not a mineral. It is also found in food. Rather than being scattered everywhere, it is concentrated in animal products.
Where do you get L-carnitine from food?
- Red meat such as beef and lamb, which is by far the richest everyday source.
- Fish and poultry, in smaller amounts.
- Milk and dairy, including cheese, in modest amounts.
- Plant foods such as vegetables, grains and fruit, which contain very little.
Because it is found mainly in animal foods, people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet usually take in less from their plate, although the body keeps producing its own. Slimqa is described by the manufacturer as vegan.
300 mg per stick
A single stick provides 300 mg of L-carnitine. There is no nutrient reference value for L-carnitine, so the label shows a dash in the % NRV column. And because there is no authorised health claim for it, we do not describe any effect. We only report the form and the amount. If you would like to see how it sits next to the other four actives, the table in the ingredients explained guide shows them side by side.
What is curcumin?
Curcumin is the main curcuminoid, the pigment that gives turmeric its golden-yellow colour. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant in the ginger family, and its dried, ground root is a staple of Indian and South Asian cooking. Britain has its own long relationship with it: from the chicken tikka masala served up in curry houses on a Friday night, to the "golden milk" lattes on café menus.
The spice itself contains curcuminoids as only a small share of its content. An extract concentrates them. In Slimqa, the curcumin comes from turmeric extract standardised to 95% curcuminoids, and each stick provides 100 mg. That is a concentrated ingredient in a way that a pinch of turmeric in a korma is not, which is the reason the label has a precautionary note.
L-carnitine and curcumin, plus three more actives in one stick
Discover Slimqa now Food supplement. Not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet. Contains caffeine. Adults only (18+).Curcumin: the caution on the pack
Please read this part. The manufacturer advises that if you have a bile duct or liver condition, or you take blood thinners, you should speak to your doctor before using Slimqa. This applies even if your condition is well controlled. A GP or pharmacist can look at your full picture and tell you whether it is suitable.
As with any supplement, you should also stop and ask for advice if you notice anything unexpected after taking it. Slimqa is for healthy adults aged 18 and over, and it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Our safety and suitability guide has a fuller list.
What about the black pepper extract?
The ingredient list includes black pepper extract among the other ingredients, alongside inulin (chicory root fibre), natural flavouring and stevia leaf extract. This guide does not make any claim about it. It is simply listed so that you know it is there, which matters if you have an allergy or sensitivity to pepper.
No claims, and why that is fine
You will not find sentences on this site such as "L-carnitine does this" or "curcumin does that". The reason is simple: in Great Britain and the EU, health statements must come from an authorised list, and neither ingredient is on it. A responsible label therefore stays factual. What you can rely on is the identity of the ingredient, the form, the dose and the cautions.
The two ingredients that do have authorised wording, chromium and caffeine, are covered in our chromium and caffeine guide.
How the three actives without claims compare
| Active | What it is | Per stick | Found in |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-carnitine | Amino acid compound the body makes | 300 mg | Red meat, fish, dairy |
| Curcumin | Pigment from turmeric (95% curcuminoids) | 100 mg | Turmeric spice, in small amounts |
| Green coffee extract | Extract of unroasted coffee beans | 100 mg | Green coffee beans |
If you want the third row explained, read about green coffee extract.
L-carnitine and curcumin in an ordinary week
It can help to picture what these two look like on a normal British plate. A lamb chop on Sunday, a ham and cheese sandwich on Tuesday, a bowl of fish pie on Friday: each of these brings some L-carnitine without you ever noticing. Meanwhile, curcumin turns up in a curry night, a turmeric latte on a cold morning or the yellow rice that comes with a takeaway. The point is not that you must eat any of these, only that both ingredients are part of the normal food landscape. A Slimqa stick provides a measured amount of each in a form that stirs into your coffee, with the figures printed on the pack.
Reading labels is the best protection. When you compare supplements, look for the form and the dose of each ingredient, not just its name. "Curcumin" with no amount tells you very little, and "turmeric" alone could mean a few milligrams of powder or a concentrated extract. Slimqa states both: 100 mg of curcumin from turmeric extract with 95% curcuminoids, and 300 mg of L-carnitine.
A few practical tips
- Take one stick a day, stirred into coffee or water. More is not better, and the dose should not be exceeded.
- Take it with food if you can, such as breakfast.
- If you take regular medication, show the label to your pharmacist before the first stick.
- Keep the box in a cool, dry place away from small children.
- Treat it as an addition to a varied diet, not a replacement for one.
Where to go from here
If you eat red meat a few times a week, you are already taking in L-carnitine from your food, and if you cook with turmeric you are meeting curcumin too. The stick adds a measured amount of each to the daily coffee routine. When you want the practical side, how to take it covers the routine, and price and ordering shows how to get a box from the manufacturer. Slimqa is a food supplement and does not replace a varied, balanced diet.
Frequently asked questions
How much L-carnitine is in one Slimqa stick?
300 mg per stick. L-carnitine is an amino acid compound that the body makes itself and that is also found in meat, fish and dairy products.
How much curcumin is in one stick?
100 mg of curcumin per stick, from turmeric extract with 95% curcuminoids.
Do L-carnitine and curcumin have health claims?
No. There are no authorised health claims for either, so this site only describes what they are and the amount in a stick.
Who should speak to a doctor before using it because of the curcumin?
Anyone with a bile duct or liver condition, or anyone who takes blood thinners, should speak to their doctor before using Slimqa.
Is Slimqa suitable for vegans?
The manufacturer describes the product as vegan. Always check the pack for the current ingredient list.
Can I take two sticks to get more of each ingredient?
No. The recommended dose is one stick a day. Do not exceed it, partly because each stick also contains 120 mg of caffeine.
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Last reviewed 20 October 2026. This guide is general information about a food supplement and is not medical advice.