Lactates - Action and Properties

Lactate, also known as lactic acid or its salt (anion), is a product of glucose metabolism in the body, especially during intense exercise, when the demand for energy exceeds the availability of oxygen. Lactate is a compound that plays an important role in providing energy to muscles and other tissues under anaerobic conditions. Although it was once thought that lactate was merely a "waste product" causing muscle fatigue, research shows that it has many important physiological functions. In this article, we will discuss what lactates are, their properties and how they affect the body, especially in the context of physical activity.

What Are Lactates?

Lactates are chemical compounds formed by the transformation of glucose in the process of anaerobic glycolysis. Under conditions of oxygen deprivation, such as intense exercise, the body converts glucose into energy, and one of the byproducts of this process is lactate. In skeletal muscle, liver and other tissues, lactate can be converted back to glucose by the Cori cycle, making it play an important role in providing energy during exercise.

Lactates - Chemical Composition

Lactates are formed from lactic acid, which forms a salt - lactate - when the hydrogen ion (H⁺) is detached. In the context of sports physiology, when we talk about lactate, we usually refer to the lactate ions that accumulate in the muscles during intense exercise. Their concentration in the blood increases when the body shifts from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism.

Lactates - Action

Providing Energy During Effort

Lactates play a key role as an energy source during exercise. When the body cannot supply enough oxygen, such as during an intense run, the body switches to anaerobic metabolism, producing lactate. Contrary to earlier theories that considered lactate a metabolic waste that causes fatigue, it is now known that lactate can be quickly used as fuel by muscles, liver and other tissues.

Role in Energy Recovery

Lactate also plays an important role in post-exercise energy restoration. During rest, when access to oxygen is sufficient, lactate is transported to the liver, where it can be converted back into glucose by a process called the Cori cycle. This glucose is then used as an energy source by the muscles, aiding recovery after intense exercise.

Neutralizing Lactate Acidosis

One of the effects of excessive lactate production is muscle acidification, which leads to feelings of fatigue and decreased performance. When the concentration of lactate exceeds the body's ability to remove it, a condition known as lactic acidosis occurs. When this happens, the body tries to neutralize the excess hydrogen ions, which can temporarily lower the pH of the blood and muscle tissue. It is this process that contributes to the burning sensation in the muscles during intense exercise.

Effects on the Nervous System

Lactates may also affect brain function. Research suggests that lactate may act as fuel for neurons, supporting brain function under conditions of stress and glucose deficiency. Some studies have shown that lactate may have neuroprotective effects, supporting cognitive function and improving the ability to concentrate during exercise.

Use of Lactates in Sports and Medicine

Lactates are an important part of sports training and physiotherapy. In sports, blood lactate levels are monitored as an indicator of exercise intensity and body performance. High-intensity training leads to adaptation of the body, increasing its ability to tolerate higher lactate concentrations. This is crucial for endurance athletes, such as long-distance runners and cyclists.

In medicine, lactate is used as a diagnostic marker in cases of metabolic disorders and respiratory failure. In pathological conditions, such as sepsis or liver failure, elevated blood lactate levels can be an indicator of inadequate tissue oxygen supply and increasing metabolic stress.

Lactates - Summary

Lactates, a product of anaerobic metabolism, play a key role in providing energy under conditions of intense exercise. Rather than being merely a "waste product," they are a valuable source of fuel that helps the body sustain exertion even when oxygen is in short supply. They also have a function in post-exercise energy restoration, promote recovery and affect cognitive and neurological functions.

Monitoring lactate levels in sports allows athletes to optimize training and improve performance. In medicine, lactate plays an important role in the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions associated with metabolic disorders.

Source: PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/); Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/); National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI); ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/)

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