Bibliography

Lactate research database

A curated, simplified index of studies relevant to exogenous lactate and lactate metabolism. Each entry summarises the main finding, practical relevance and limitations. Bibliographic details should be verified against the original sources.

Type
Topic

6 studies

Human study Human Performance Oral lactate Acid-base balance

Effects of Oral Lactate Supplementation on Acid–Base Balance and Prolonged High-Intensity Interval Cycling Performance

Bordoli, C. et al. · [Journal placeholder — verify] · 2023

Main finding
Investigated whether acute oral lactate supplementation alters acid–base balance and performance during prolonged high-intensity interval cycling in trained participants.
Practical relevance
One of the more directly applied human trials of oral lactate as an ergogenic aid for interval-based endurance work.
Limitations
Small sample typical of acute crossover designs; findings require replication across populations and protocols.
Human study Human Performance Oral lactate Metabolism

The Influence of Acute Oral Lactate Supplementation on Responses to Cycle Ergometer Exercise

Ewell, M. et al. · [Journal placeholder — verify] · 2022

Main finding
Examined acute physiological and metabolic responses to oral lactate supplementation during cycle ergometer exercise.
Practical relevance
Adds to the small but growing body of controlled human work characterising how ingested lactate behaves during exercise.
Limitations
Acute design; does not address chronic supplementation or trained-athlete competition settings.
Review Review Fuel Sports nutrition Metabolism

What the Lactate Shuttle Means for Sports Nutrition

Brooks, G. A. · Nutrients · 2021

Main finding
Argues that, given lactate's central metabolic role, exogenous lactate and lactate-based formulations are a plausible and under-explored avenue for sports nutrition.
Practical relevance
Directly motivates research into oral and exogenous lactate as a fuelling strategy for athletes.
Limitations
Conceptual review; calls for — rather than provides — controlled human performance trials.
Human study Human Metabolism Appetite Gastric emptying

Oral Lactate Slows Gastric Emptying and Suppresses Appetite in Young Males

Pedersen, H. et al. · [Journal placeholder — verify] · 2021

Main finding
Reported that oral lactate ingestion slowed gastric emptying and reduced subjective appetite in young male participants.
Practical relevance
Relevant to gut tolerance, fuelling strategy and the formulation of lactate-based products for endurance settings.
Limitations
Specific population (young males); gastrointestinal and appetite effects may interact with exercise feeding strategies in ways not yet characterised.
Animal model Animal Metabolism Fuel Lactate shuttle

Quantitative Fluxomics of Circulating Metabolites

Hui, S. et al. · Cell Metabolism · 2020

Main finding
Using isotope tracing in mice, shows that lactate is one of the most rapidly circulating and exchanged metabolites, serving as a primary carbon source for the TCA cycle across many tissues.
Practical relevance
Provides mechanistic, quantitative support for lactate being a major systemic fuel rather than a by-product.
Limitations
Conducted in rodents; absolute flux values may differ in exercising humans.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.09.013 →
Review Review Lactate shuttle Metabolism Fuel

The Science and Translation of Lactate Shuttle Theory

Brooks, G. A. · Cell Metabolism · 2018

Main finding
Synthesises decades of evidence positioning lactate as a central node of metabolism — a major carbon source, signalling molecule and gluconeogenic precursor — rather than a metabolic dead-end.
Practical relevance
Provides the theoretical foundation for viewing lactate as a usable energy substrate, underpinning interest in exogenous lactate.
Limitations
Narrative review; integrates heterogeneous evidence rather than reporting a single controlled experiment.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.03.008 →