Lactic acid as a fuel for the brain

(Ben ) #1

I will be trying BFR training in a few days. As we get older we may lose muscle. So bfr training may slow it down. The training produces lactic acid. The following link states that the brain could use it as fuel. Does anyone have a thought on this? https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/opinion/blogs/lactic-acid-found-to-have-a-role-as-a-brain-fuel/10038374.blog?firstPass=false

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

I would like to read the papers that article mentions. I would believe that lactate could be useful in feeding the brain. In addition to lactate and glucose, the brain is known to do especially well on β-hydroxybutyrate, the principal ketone body, and I believe it can metabolise acetone (another ketone), as well. It would make evolutionary sense for the brain to be able to thrive on a number of different fuels, since its proper functioning is essential to our survival.

The one thing I am not so knowledgeable about is the effect of eating a ketogenic diet on the production of lactic acid, because once we are fat-adapted, the muscles are metabolising fatty acids in place of glucose. I know that lactate is a product of glycolosis, but I am just not sure of its role in fatty-acid metabolism.