Diet & Fitness

One group of researchers in two small, controlled trials has reported that 100 grams of a combination of dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate enhanced the endurance of certain muscles in untrained men.^6,7 Three controlled studies of untrained individuals using a combination of 6 to 10 grams per day of pyruvate and an exercise program reported greater effects on weight loss and body fat compared with those taking a placebo with the exercise program.^8,9,10 However, in a study of healthy untrained women undergoing an exercise program, supplementing with 5 grams of pyruvate twice a day had no effect on exercise performance.¹¹ Studies of pyruvate supplementation on exercise performance in trained athletes have also failed to demonstrate any beneficial effect. Seven grams per day did not improve aerobic exercise performance in cyclists,¹² and an average of 15 grams per day did not improve anaerobic performance or body composition in football players.¹³ More recently, evidence has appeared casting doubt on the ability of high levels (an average exceeding 15 grams per day depending upon body weight) of pyruvate to improve exercise capacity in a weight-lifting study.¹³

One group of researchers in two small, controlled trials has reported that 100 grams of a combination of dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate enhanced the endurance of certain muscles in untrained men.^14,15 Three controlled studies of untrained individuals using a combination of 6 to 10 grams per day of pyruvate and an exercise program reported greater effects on weight loss and body fat compared with those taking a placebo with the exercise program.^16,17,18 However, in a study of healthy untrained women undergoing an exercise program, supplementing with 5 grams of pyruvate twice a day had no effect on exercise performance.¹⁹ Studies of pyruvate supplementation on exercise performance in trained athletes have also failed to demonstrate any beneficial effect. Seven grams per day did not improve aerobic exercise performance in cyclists,²⁰ and an average of 15 grams per day did not improve anaerobic performance or body composition in football players.²¹ More recently, evidence has appeared casting doubt on the ability of high levels (an average exceeding 15 grams per day depending upon body weight) of pyruvate to improve exercise capacity in a weight-lifting study.²¹

Pyruvate, a compound made from glucose and used to make energy in the body, might aid weight-loss efforts. One early controlled trial found that pyruvate supplements enhanced weight loss and resulted in a greater reduction of body weight and body fat in 14 women with obesity consuming a low-calorie, low-fat diet.²² Another trial that included 26 overweight participants in an exercise program found those given 6 grams of pyruvate daily for six weeks had greater body weight and body fat loss compared to those given placebo.²³ However, a placebo-controlled trial in 23 women in an exercise program reported 5 grams per day of pyruvate for 30 days had no significant effect on weight or fat loss. A meta-analysis that included six controlled trials found pyruvate supplementation was slightly more effective than placebo for promoting weight loss, but can cause adverse side effects such as digestive upset and increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels.²⁴