Lactate is being redefined as more than a metabolic waste product.
Far from being something to flush out, lactate can be used by neurons as an alternative energy source. In conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, where the brain struggles to use glucose efficiently, lactate could help fill that gap—like ketones do—giving brain cells another way to stay fueled.
An Alternative Fuel
During a hard workout, your body generates lactate. Lactate is often associated with muscle soreness and fatigue. However, these symptoms are only part of the story.
Zena le Roux
Author
Zena le Roux is a health journalist with a master’s in investigative health journalism and a certified health and wellness coach specializing in functional nutrition. She is trained in sports nutrition, mindful eating, internal family systems, and applied polyvagal theory. She works in private practice and serves as a nutrition educator for a UK-based health school.
