Pyruvate For Weight Loss and Endurance

Pyruvate is a 3-carbon acid that is critical for the generation of energy in the body by “fueling” the energy production cycle. Supplementing with pyruvate can increase cellular respiration, or the amount of energy the mitochondria (the cells “power plants”) use. The more energy that is used, the less the body stores. For this reason, pyruvate has successfully been used in some weight loss programs. Pyruvate also functions as an antioxidant (1).

In clinical applications, pyruvate has been found to increase endurance, and to enhance weight loss. It has been theorized that pyruvate helps to improve performance by increasing the reliance on blood glucose, thus sparing muscle glycogen (2). Research also suggests that pyruvate may modify lipid profiles favorably, and help to lower blood pressure (5).

Used in combination with dihydroxyacetone (DHA), pyruvate (100 grams for seven days) significantly enhanced arm endurance capacity in untrained males (20 to 26 years old). The men performed an arm exercise to exhaustion, and improved their endurance from 133 to 160 minutes after taking the combination (7). A follow-up study demonstrated similar positive effects in enhancing leg exercise endurance (8). However, another study reported that pyruvate ingestion by cyclists did not improve aerobic performance, showing the need for more research in this area (4).

Several studies have found positive results for weight loss. In a randomized double-blind study, subjects took 6 grams/day of pyruvate in supplement form. After 6 weeks, the people that took pyruvate experienced a significant reduction in weight and body fat mass, while those that took a placebo did not lose weight (3). In another study, obese women that had previously lost weight were administered private along with dihydroxyacetone. The researchers concluded that these compounds decreased weight gain and the reaccumulation of body fat, without decreasing body protein gain (2).

Pyruvate is found in certain fruits and vegetables, such as apples. Dark beer and red wine are also good sources. Pyruvate is available in generic formulations from several manufacturers. Branded products include Pyruvate Burn (Gen), Pyruvate Fuel (Twinlab), Pyruvate 1000 (Pinnacle), and Diet Pyruvate (Source Naturals). Current research suggests taking 5-6 grams daily for athletic use (5).

References

1. Fortitech; 2007. Schenectady (NY) (online).
   Available from https://www.fortitech.com/default.aspx?NHIObjectID=100067&TabID=72 [Cited Sept.25, 2007].

2. Ivy JL (1998). Effect of pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone on metabolism and aerobic endurance capacity. Med Sci Sports Exerc.;30(6):837-43.
3. Kalman D, Colker CM, Wilets I, et al (1999).The effects of pyruvate supplementation on body composition in overweight individuals. Nutrition;15(5):337-40.
4. Morrison MA, Spriet LL, Dyck DJ (2000).Pyruvate ingestion for 7 days does not improve aerobic performance in well-trained individuals. J Appl Physiol.;89(2):549-56.
5. PDR Health. Thompson Healthcare; 2007 (online). Available from
   http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/pyr_0218.s...

6. Stanko RT, Arch JE (1996). Inhibition of regain in body weight and fat with addition of 3-carbon compounds to the diet with hyperenergetic refeeding after weight reduction. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord;20(10):925-30.
7. Stanko RT, et al (1990). Enhancement of arm exercise endurance capacity with dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate. J Appl Physiol;68(1):119-24.
8. Stanko RT, et al. (1990).Enhanced leg exercise endurance with a high-carbohydrate diet and dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate. J Appl Physiol.;69(5):1651-6.