Pyruvic Acid feeds into the citric acid cycle & converts into acetyl CoA. Pyruvate is formed from carbohydrate via glucose or glycogen & secondarily from fats (glycerol) & glycogenic amino acids. Pyruvic acid is also formed from lactic acid with O2 and zinc.
Nutrient Associations:
Vitamins B1, B3, B5, Lipoic acid
Metabolic Pathway:
Anaerobic energy production
High levels:
Elevated by a number of nonspecific factors, including vigorous exercise, bacterial overgrowth of the GI tract, shock, poor perfusion, B-vitamin deficiency, mitochondrial dysfunction or damage, and anemia, among others.
Pyruvate may be elevated when B-vitamins, particularly B1 and B5, are insufficient. When both L-Lactate and pyruvate are high, there may be insufficient lipoic acid, a type of B-vitamin. Lipoic acid is an important antioxidant, so low levels can lead to aging-related illnesses. Many studies have shown that lipoic acid is helpful in treating diabetes and for assisting the liver with removing toxins from the body.
Possible causes:
Decode your own result in 30 seconds
Enter your value and get a personal interpretation — what your number means in plain language, what to pair it with, and when to follow up.
- Impaired metabolism due to cofactor insufficiencies or toxic metals (As, Pb, Hg, Cd)
- Muscle injury
- Severe adrenal insufficiency (impaired conversion of pyruvate to alanine
Additional investigations:
- Vitamins & Minerals Analysis
- Comprehensive Urine Elements Profile
- Adrenal Hormone Profile
Treatment considerations:
- Supplement cofactors (B1, B2, B3, B5, Mg, Lipoic acid)
- Remove toxic metals
- Adrenal support if required
Low levels:
Possible causes:
- Deficient substrate for energy production
- Impaired production from glycogen (glycogenolysis), carbohydrates (glycolysis), or proteins (gluconeogenesis)
Additional investigations:
- Urinary Amino Acids
- Vitamin & Mineral Analysis
- Adrenal Hormone Profile
Treatment considerations:
- Gluconeogenic amino acids (e.g. L-alanine, glycine, L-serine)
- B6, Mg
- Correct glucose/insulin imbalances
- Adrenal support if required
- Consider Ca pyruvate supplementation
Disclaimer:
The information on healthmatters.io is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
