Unique Role of Pyruvate

Pyruvate is a naturally occurring substance that is formed in our bodies and contained in many of the fruits and vegetables that we eat. There are many claims that taking pyruvate as a supplement can improve endurance, aid in fat and weight loss, reduce cholesterol levels and act as an antioxidant, but do the effects of pyruvate really live up to the hype?

The Facts

• Pyruvate does play a unique role in your body's metabolism as a naturally occurring byproduct of metabolizing protein and carbohydrates during digestion. Pyruvic acid (also known as pyruvate) is a molecule created from glucose (blood sugar) and is formed during glycolysis. Glycolysis is the process in which we generate energy from glucose (creating adenosine triphosphate, or ATP) and after numerous metabolic processes, pyruvate is also formed. In addition to being a natural byproduct of your body, it also occurs in many of the foods we eat like dark beer, cheese, red wine and red apples. Initial research, conducted in the 1970s, indicated that pyruvate supplements (in addition to dihydroxyacetone) could aid in reducing the amount of fat stored in your body.

Effects on Humans

• Much of what we know about pyruvate's effect on the human body comes from a series of studies that were conducted by Dr. Ronald Stanko at the University of Pittsburgh (Stanko also owns a number of patents that are linked to the use of pyruvate). These studies indicated that using pyruvate increased fat loss. Stanko's first study yielded significant results. A group of 14 overweight women were studied for a period of three weeks. All were placed on a 1,000-calorie-per-day diet. Women who were supplemented with 30 grams of pyruvate lost 30 percent more weight, compared with those who received the placebo (nine pounds vs. six pounds). In 1994, Stanko completed a third study, this time with 34 participants, followed over 10 weeks. Participants were placed on a diet between 1,600 to 1,800 calories per day for a total of 28 days. After this, they were broken into two groups -- one receiving 22 to 44 grams of pyruvate per day, the other receiving a placebo. Again, those who received the supplement lost more fat than those receiving the placebo (1.1 pounds vs. 0.2 pounds).

Additional Possible Benefits

• Emerging evidence suggests that pyruvate may help to maintain weight loss, suppress appetite (as evidenced by effects on laboratory rats), increase metabolism (also as evidenced by effects on lab rats) and increase muscular endurance. These affects are still being researched, with no conclusive evidence available at this time. There is also no significant research indicating that pyruvate has any significant beneficial effect on cholesterol levels.

Dosage/Side Effects

• Most of the research that has been conducted on humans has been at dosages of approximately 30 grams per day. Possible side effects at large dosages include gas, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress and bloating. Cost is another drawback -- most supplements on the market contain about a gram of pyruvate and cost anywhere from $8 on up for a bottle of 90 capsules. At 30 grams per day, one bottle would only last three days. The May 1999 edition of the Nutrition journal contained the result of a study that indicated lower doses (around 6 grams) of pyruvate could still be effective if combined with an exercise program and sensible diet.

Considerations

• The human studies on the effects of pyruvate were done in very controlled environments and on obese women on a restricted diet. This is significant since it does not give a clear picture of the results on the population at large. Further research and investigations on the full benefits of pyruvate are necessary. While there are no known health risks associated with taking pyruvate, it is wise to discuss this with your doctor prior to beginning this (or any) supplement.