Providing lactate as an ergogenic and therapeutic

Lactate (La - ), the molecule once thought of as a deadend waste product, is now viewed as a metabolite with roles and effects that have been investigated across various fields, including disease and exercise. Following Dr. George Brooks’ seminal description of the “Cell-to-Cell Lactate Shuttle Theory” in 1984 and decades of supporting research, La - is no longer perceived as a mere byproduct of glycolysis, but rather a molecule that is continuously produced, exchanged and consumed by cells; i.e., “the dominant circulating energetic metabolite”. A current area of interest lies in the use of exogenous La - as a potential ergogenic and therapeutic aid. Its effectiveness has been studied in several disease and exercise settings, including traumatic brain injury, cancer, acute heart failure, and endurance exercise. While biochemically plausible, its practical utility remains uncertain, possibly due to limitations in efficacious delivery methods. As interest continues to grow in this area, further research is needed to establish practical techniques for exogenous La - infusion and/or ingestion.