General Description
Pyruvate is a salt of pyruvic acid, a natural compound formed in
the body as the end product of glucose metabolism. Its primary function
is to trigger the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary
source of energy for all cells in the body. In addition to the amounts
formed in the body, pyruvate is present in small amounts in foods
such as cheese, red apples, and red wine. It is also available as
a dietary supplement, used to promote weight loss and physical endurance.
Health Applications
- Weight loss
- Athletic performance
Weight Loss
Pyruvate supplements are commonly used as weight-loss aids, and
preliminary studies indicate they may be helpful in this area.
In three small, placebo-controlled studies conducted on overweight
individuals, pyruvate was found to promote weight-loss and reduction
in body fat.1-3 In another study conducted
on 17 obese men who lost weight and body fat on a low calorie
diet and were then placed on a high calorie diet, subjects taking
pyruvate experienced less weight and body fat regain than subjects
taking a placebo.4 The results of one study
suggest that pyruvate may also help reduce serum cholesterol in
patients with high cholesterol levels;5 however,
in another study, patients with high cholesterol levels who were
given pyruvate experienced no change in plasma cholesterol or
triglyceride levels.1
Athletic Performance
Although pyruvate is often promoted as a "sport supplement," reputed
to increase strength and endurance, there is little scientific
evidence to support these claims. In a study conducted on 42 football
players, pyruvate supplementation failed to produce any improvement
in lean body mass or muscle strength.6 Although
some studies indicate that pyruvate may improve endurance in laboratory
rats7 and in untrained individuals,8,9
it appears to provide no benefit for well-trained individuals.10
Dosage/Toxicity
While some human studies on pyruvate and weight loss have used
as much as 44 grams of pyruvate,1 a 6 gram
per day dosage combined with exercise was found to be effective
in one study.3 Although pyruvate appears to
have very low toxicity, high intakes may cause gastrointestinal
discomfort.11 |
