Pyruvate (the buffered form of pyruvic acid) is a product created in the body during the metabolism of carbohydrates and protein. Small amounts of pyruvate can be found in certain fruits and vegetable we eat. Two potential mechanisms by which pyruvate enhances both fat and weight loss are through increasing metabolism and utilization.
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Calcium pyruvate, which is a carbohydrate found naturally in red apples, cheeses and red wine and is important for people on a reduced calorie diet to help the synthesis of amino acids. Scientists believe that Pyruvate may actually accelerate fat loss by increasing 'cellular respiration' in the body.
Pyruvate may aid weight loss efforts. A clinical trial found that supplementation with 22–44 grams per day of pyruvate, when compared with placebo, enhanced weight loss and resulted in a greater reduction of body fat in overweight adults consuming a low-fat diet. Three controlled studies combining 6–10 grams per day of pyruvate with an exercise program, reported similar effects on weight loss and body fat. Animal studies suggest that pyruvate supplementation leads to weight loss by increasing the resting metabolic rate. A few clinical trials also indicated that pyruvate supplements may improve exercise endurance, though weight-lifting capacity did not improve.
Pyruvate serves as a biological fuel by being converted to acetyl coenzyme A, which enters the tricarboxylic acid or Krebs cycle where it is metabolized to produce ATP aerobically. Energy can also be obtained anaerobically from pyruvate via its conversion to lactate. At supraphysiological levels, pyruvate increases contractile function of hearts when metabolizing glucose or fatty acids. This inotropic effect is striking in hearts stunned by ischemia/reperfusion. The inotropic effect of pyruvate requires intracoronary infusion. Among possible mechanisms for this effect are increased generation of ATP and an increase in ATP phosphorylation potential. Another is activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase, promoting its own oxidation by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase. Pyruvate dehydrogenase is inactivated in ischemia myocardium. Yet another is reduction of cytosolic inorganic phosphate concentration. There are other possible mechanisms, such as enhanced sarcoplasmic reticular ion uptake, and release and reactive oxygen species scavenging.
Supraphysiological levels of pyruvate are reported to enhance aerobic endurance capacity. The mechanism of this action is not well understood. Some studies indicate that pyruvate at supraphysiological levels increases the transport of glucose into muscle cells in a process known as blood glucose extraction. This could spare skeletal muscle glycogen stores.
The mechanism by which supraphysiological levels of pyruvate may lead to fat loss is unclear. Rats that consumed a diet supplemented with pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone reportedly had a lower respiratory quotient (RQ), indicating an increased utilization of fat as an energy source, as well as elevated resting metabolic rate. Rats that received pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone had elevated levels of thyroxine, lower levels of plasma insulin and lower rates of lipid synthesis in adipose tissue. Fat oxidation may be enhanced in some obese individuals administered pyruvate.
In Studies: Animal studies have shown that pyruvate increases resting metabolic rate and fat utilization. Preliminary data indicates that pyruvate may increase fat utilization in humans. Researchers such as Dr. Greenway, an endocrinologist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge Louisiana focuses on the effects of nutrition in obesity. Greenway states that "pyruvate is a normal constituent of human metabolism, so its safely should be high."
Technicals: Pyruvate is the anionic form of the three-carbon organic acid, pyruvic acid. Pyruvate is a key intermediate in the glycolytic and pyruvate dehydrogenase pathways, which are involved in biological energy production. Pyruvate is widely found in living organisms. It is not an essential nutrient since it can be synthesized in the cells of the body. In the diet, the average daily intake of Pyruvate ranges between about 100 milligrams and 1 to 2 grams.
Pyruvate is known as 2-oxopropanoate, alpha-ketopropionate, acetylformate and pyroracemate. Pyruvate and pyruvic acid are frequently use interchangeably, although pyruvate is the anion of pyruvic acid and the form that occurs in living organisms.
Sources: Formed in the body as a byproduct of the normal metabolism of carbohydrates and protein and is present in several foods, certain fruits and vegetables are rich in pyruvate. An average-size red apple, contains approximately 450 milligrams. Dark beer, red wine and cheese are also rich sources of pyruvate.
Pyruvate may aid weight loss efforts.1 A clinical trial found that supplementation with 22–44 grams per day of pyruvate, when compared with placebo, enhanced weight loss and resulted in a greater reduction of body fat in overweight adults consuming a low-fat diet.2 Three controlled studies combining 6–10 grams per day of pyruvate with an exercise program, reported similar effects on weight loss and body fat.3 4 5 Animal studies suggest that pyruvate supplementation leads to weight loss by increasing the resting metabolic rate.6 A few clinical trials also indicated that pyruvate supplements may improve exercise endurance,7 8 though weight-lifting capacity did not improve.9
Preliminary research indicates that pyruvate functions as an antioxidant, inhibiting the production of harmful free radicals.10 11 12 Preliminary research with animals suggests that, due to its antioxidant function, pyruvate may inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors.13 However, this effect has not been confirmed in human studies
Weight loss and obesity , Athletic performance
Signs or Symptoms of a Deficiency: Because it is not an essential nutrient, pyruvate is not associated with a deficiency state
Excess maybe seen in: High intakes of pyruvate can trigger gastrointestinal upset, such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. One preliminary study in exercising women found 10 grams per day of pyruvate reduced blood levels of HDL (the “good” cholesterol) after one month.15
Recommended Use: Most human research with pyruvate and weight loss has used at least 30 grams per day. However, such large amounts may not be necessary. In a six-week double-blind trial, as little as 6 grams per day of pyruvate in combination with exercise, led to greater weight loss and loss of body fat, compared with a placebo plus exercise.14
1. Stanko RT, Tietze DL, Arch JE. Body composition, energy utilization, and nitrogen metabolism with a 4.25-MJ/d low-energy diet supplemented with pyruvate. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:630–5.
2. Stanko RT, Reynolds HR, Hoyson R, et al. Pyruvate supplementation of a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet: effects on plasma lipid concentration and body composition in hyperlipidemic patients. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:423–7.
3. Kreider R, Koh P, Ferreira M, et al. Effects of pyruvate supplementation during training on body composition & metabolic responses to exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30:S62 [abstract].
4. Kalman D, Colker CM, Wilets I, et al. The effects of pyruvate supplementation on body composition in overweight individuals. Nutrition 1999;15:337–40.
5. Kalman D, Colker CM, Stark S, et al. Effect of pyruvate supplementation on body composition and mood. Curr Ther Res 1998;59:793–802.
6. Ivy JL, Cortez MY, Chandler RM, et al. Effects of pyruvate on the metabolism and insulin resistance of obese Zucker rats. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:331–7.
7. Stanko RT, Robertson RJ, Galbreath RW, et al. Enhanced leg exercise endurance with a high-carbohydrate diet and dihyroxyacetone and pyruvate. J Appl Phys 1990;69:1651–6.
8. Stanko RT, Robertson RJ, Spina RJ, et al. Enhancement of arm exercise endurance capacity with dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate. J Appl Physiol 1990;68:119–24.
9. Stone MH, Sanborn K, Smith LL, et al. Effects of in-season (5-weeks) creatine and pyruvate supplementation on anaerobic performance and body composition in American football players. Int J Sport Nutr 1999;9:146–65.
10. Deboer LWV, Bekx PA, Han L, et al. Pyruvate enhances recovery of rat hearts after ischemia and reperfusion by preventing free radical generation. Am J Physiol 1993;265:H1571–6.
11. Cicalese L, Subbotin V, Rastellini C, et al. Acute rejection of small bowel allografts in rats: protection afforded by pyruvate. Transplant Proc 1996;28:2474.
12. Cicalese L, Lee K, Schraut W, et al. Pyruvate prevents ischemia-reperfusion mucosal injury of rat small intestine. Am J Surg 1996;171:97–101.
13. Stanko RT, Mullick P, Clarke MR, et al. Pyruvate inhibits growth of mammary adenocarcinoma 13762 in rats. Cancer Res 1994;54:1004–7.
14. Kalman D, Colker CM, Wilets I, et al. The effects of pyruvate supplementation on body composition in overweight individuals. Nutrition 1999;15:337–40.
15. Koh P, Kreider R, Ferreira M, et al. Effects of pyruvate supplementation during training on hematologic and metabolic profiles. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30:S155 [abstract].
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