The Truth About Lactate: It’s Not What You Think | Dr. Ben Bikman

[@fronniebealer7808]

These lectures are intriguing and understandable because of Dr. Bikman's style of presentation.

[@jamesgordon8867]

Could you talk about mitochondrial function and how to maximize health of these "motherboards", not just the power cord for cellular function ?

[@keto-rebellion]

Yay! My biochemistry lectures were 50 years ago. Nice to freshen up!

[@lindarichmond7814]

The human body is just astounding! A healthy liver is simply incredible.

[@antonbelsky]

It tastes great too :))

[@hektor6766]

About a billion chemical reactions occur in each cell of the human body every second. There are about 37 trillion cells in a human body. That's 37 quintillion chemical reactions in a human body every second. I'm a failure at laziness.

[@balabani]

I enjoy listening to Dr. Ben Kitman’s lectures because he makes complex metabolic processes easy to understand.

[@Wimosifr]

It’s been a long time since my college Biology classes, but my mind is blown! Thank you for sharing this fascinating info!

[@PudgyCurmudgeon]

Dr. Bikman is almost as amazing as the human body! Not quite, but he's getting there!

[@michellewelch6013]

Im so grateful for all the educating you do and all the learning! Thank you so much!

[@lucimeiresantanna6334]

I am so grateful for your lectures! The carnivore diet improves liver function and optimal lactate use for a healthier celular metabolism! That's awesome! Congrats from Brazil🇧🇷

[@raykinney9907]

Thank you for clarification about lactate and 'lactic acid'. I have been trying to visualize the tumor environment, and knew that lactate is elevated frequently there. And, since acidity in that environment is a feature, I was assuming much of that was due to the 'lactic acid presence'. More to think about, more clearly. Thanks.

[@przemkowaliszewski3290]

Both cancer cells and cancer mitochondria are different than their normal counterparts! Mitochondria in cancer cells do not work properly. They are damaged. Their DNA contains mutations. Cancer cells work in the situation of the energy crisis and produce their ATP mostly by fermenting glucose during the non-oxidative glycolysis; a primitive primary process of generating ATP.

[@Gregory-kv8vj]

@@przemkowaliszewski3290 Yes, the reader can refer to videos by Dr. Thomas Seyfried for his work on cancer and mitochondrial dysfunction wherein the mitochondria energy process is fermentation not oxidation.

[@MukeshKumar-i8h8s]

I have read many books, I listened to many KZbin videos by many of the worlds leading gurus and health experts but nothing came close to the hidden herbs by anette ray. I recommend everyone giving it a read.

[@LangstonHD]

Obvious ad bot

[@saraha6237]

This calls for a Part 2! Thanks a lot! Would love to learn: What’s the deal with elevated lactate blood serum levels? What’s the energy input needed for cells to run on lactate compared to oxidative metabolism or ketosis? So where do the muscle aches stem from? Thanks as well for the TBI link! 9 years into mTBI recovery and 1.5 years into ketosis I have an inkling that the lactate metabolism (and other factors for sure, too) may have burnt me out. Loving the ketones, but healing my metabolism and nervous system repair is still in progress :)

[@Gregory-kv8vj]

Another question, what exactly are those red blood cells using energy for, that manifests as exceedance of the so-called anaerobic threshold, reached in high intensity exercise, forcing a reduction in output?

[@kjvisual7]

This was so helpful! You changed my understanding. Pushup or pull-up failure - I used to think that they abrupt inability to continue a rep was associated with "lactic acid". Now I need to find the answer to the abrupt failure. & yes, I have considered WEAKNESS as the reason.

[@BruceLee-bd4pr]

Love the wall decor Dr. B. Not only great lectures but from a great human.

[@Trim-b7i]

Dr., could you please answer the following questions: Please take into consideration that I am focusing on keeping my insulin levels low. 1. What would be considered a low glycemic index? - I am asking this question because I am kind of lost with all these GI lists. 2. Could I drink the following juice made from natural fruits: orange, carrots, and beetroot? - I love this juice and I drink it around 30 minutes after any meal. I usually have 3 meals per day. 3. Is there a problem with eating a handful of almonds and natural peanuts? Since I started watching your videos, I have been eating mainly broccoli and cauliflower with meat. I feel great because I don't count calories anymore. However, I would like to eat fruits, nuts, and drink juices to replace cakes and cookies.

[@Tee667]

He has spoken about fruit juices as opposed to whole fruit here. When it comes to GI the fibre is necessary

[@Gregory-kv8vj]

All of the low carb proponents advise that fruit juices, especially that made from sweet tropical fruits, be greatly moderated. Don't consume more than what you would ingest if you ate the fruit itself instead. A can of OJ may be the equivalent of 3 or 4 whole oranges, and people would not normally consume that much. And the reduction/absence of fiber is an issue too. Think about getting a Continuous Glucose Monitor to see how different foods and different quantities at different times of day affect your blood sugar response. People respond differently to foods which may have the same glycemic index and of course the amount determines glycemic load which may be a more relevant parameter. Check out Jason Fung's videos. He is a big proponent of intermittent fasting. If you eat three meals a day, and especially if you have snacks between, your body will likely have low metabolic flexibility, ie will have limited ability to switch to fat as fuel. This is because your body can store roughly 100 grams of 'blood sugar' (in the form of glycogen, in the liver and muscles) which is the equivalent of about 400 Calories (some source say even more, up to 2000 Calories, www.ruled.me/ketosis-ketones-and-how-it-works/). It takes a couple of hours of intense exercise to deplete your glycogen stores, much longer if you are sedentary, so your body may rarely run low on glycogen and trigger the mobilization of stored fat. Consequently the metabolic equipment (enzyme systems) for metabolizing fat may be at low standby levels and it will take some deliberate fasting to build this system up. The concept of "hitting the wall" illustrates this lack metabolic flexibility. It is an indication that your body cannot transition smoothly between sugar burning and fat burning. Developing this capacity requires training the body to use fat by fasting or by avoiding carbs for major portions of the day. BTW, there are essential amino acids and essential fatty acids which your body cannot make and must be in your diet. There is no such thing as an essential carbohydrate, your body is capable of making glucose (blood sugar) from proteins or fats, in a process called gluconeogenesis. Modest amounts of nuts should not be a problem. Large amounts could be an issue due to oxalate content of almonds and some other nuts. There are KZbin videos on this subject too. Low starch vegetables (low glycemic index) such as the broccoli and cauliflower you mention, are great. In addition to their fibre and micronutrients they help you feel full and make it much easier to omit the traditional pasta, rice, etc meal fillers.

[@vadimkravets9209]

In presence of exogenous glucose, more precisely chronic glucotoxicuty , does the mitochondria “unlearn” to use lactate as fuel leading to the mitochondrial dysfunction? And does this mean that in an individual with such a dysfunction the storage pathway dominates leading to obesity?

[@AI-vs7sm]

Just started watching a video with Jason Fung and Thomas Seyfreid being interviewed on cancer and fermentation of glucose to feed cancer growth and Seyfreid specifically mentions lactic acid rather than lactate in regard to fermentation fueling. I watch this video this morning ,so, I remembered your explanation of the difference. Can't imagine that Seyfreid doesn't know the difference, as you talked about, but , maybe you should compare notes with Fung and Seyfreid. Just a suggestion maybe worth pursuing!

[@AI-vs7sm]

Sorry, the video is Target Cancer: Breaking Myths Ep.71

[@チェリーブラッサム-z9q]

Also, check out Mark Lintern’s hypothesis that a cell’s respiration switch to Warburg Metabolism may be a defense strategy because of fungus infection in the cell. He has at least a couple interviews on KZbin. Fascinating

[@bakeronthefly8332]

Thank you for providing these outstanding educational videos. Keep it coming!

[@newunderthesun7353]

As a competitive athlete I am often shocked by trends in my sport. I would love Insulin IQs input on number 2. Two trends have taken hold in cycling. 1) Ultra high calorie (carb) feeding before and during longer races. Instead of the usual soda, banana and crackers, cyclists are now consuming ultra high calorie snacks during races (not me, I am fat adapted). 2) Cyclists and even moreso, runners, are consuming a slurry of sodium bicarbonate. They are presuming the bicarb enters the blood and, according to the usiers, "buffers the lactic acid" buildup, allowing the athlete to perform harder and longer before the lactate shuts them down. Apparently, they are crediting the bicarb slurry with the latest string of 800 meter running times - five of the top ten times were all set this year - all the runners were using the bicarb slurry.

[@olaeriksson9714]

Brilliant. Thanks. Loved the history lession 😊

[@docbrooks1098]

Awesome topic to cover. Very nice clarification in the intro. Thanks!

[@zorinaganpaul1598]

Great lecture, learned a lot ❤

[@johnbierma9834]

I really appreciate your work👍. It helps me read scientific papers so much and personally I lost 8 inches on my waist following your fat reduction suggestions‼️

[@JCUTMoto]

Which would come first mitochondrial dysfunction or insulin resistance?

[@Tee667]

Insulin resistance damages mitochondria

[@btudrus]

Mitochondrian dysfunction, especially in the hepatocytes causes insulin resistance

[@sharonmarieatteamnomad3001]

Well done. You made this subject understandable for me.

[@iyabodeadeyefa1010]

Kindly shed more light on metformin and increased lactate production. Thank you.

[@davidh9638]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y57Eh4SYmd5phZo

[@blackswanrising2024]

Conversion of pyruvate to lactate gives an nad+ and glycolysis gives 2atp and requires a nad+. Highly inefficient but keeps cell going

[@JYAN2852]

Thank you Ben! There is the myth in this health space that minimizing proteins in fear of gluconeogenesis. I recall you stating that Lactate is priority over glycerol and amino acids for gluconeogenesis in that particular order

[@brycefbarnes]

One of the most amazing lectures I have every heard.. Thank you Dr. Bikman. Just amazing. Thank you!

[@Thundercloud1969]

Ben, always a pleasure watching your science, if the red blood cells only can use glucose is being in ketosis a good thing? Is it enough that the liver can make glucose as a fuel for them or are we at risk (even though its said that ketosis is a good thing) I myself am a carnivore over two years and i do well. But your explanation got me wondering about something that i never thought about. thank you and greetings from the Netherlands

[@ematise]

Good question, I thought about this when I heard the statement. Would be nice to have an answer to your question. Greetings from Denmark!

[@scottheitmanmarinesurvey3557]

A lot of high-performing athletes are dosing sodium bicarbonate to buffer lactate. It would help for lectures like this if we could see a white or chalk board

[@manojlogulic4234]

Can you elaborate please, how they use it before or after trading and how much? Thanks.

[@desaibha]

As always, fascinating and beautifully explained. Thanks, Dr Blikman

[@jorgeescobar7981]

Great explanation about the role of lactate in metabolism. One question for Dr. Bikman. Metformin is known to raise lactate in the human body. What is the implication of this related to the role of this medicine in reducing glucose levels?

[@cynthiabahena9721]

Doesn't metformin inhibit the gluconeogenesis in the liver?

[@eileenromps9266]

2 questions: 1) so far, insulin was not mentioned when discussing cells that take in lactate for energy… does that mean insulin is not required by these cells using lactate for energy 2) what is the preference by cells which can use all 3? Glucose, lactate and ketones?

[@1mmerry]

Thank you! Fighting my way out of type two at 76 years old. Love the extra understanding of how awesome God created these bodies!!!

[@meatdog]

When I hear lactate I automatically go to muscles working to fatigue. I was even taught that in med school. So I find this very enlightening and I wish I had been able to catch thus live so I coukd ask a question. You have turned everything I learned , granted 50 years ago, on its head. we measure LDH for several reasons which I understand well however there are other implications that are swimming in my mind now.

[@Carnivoreteacher1965]

Thank you for clearing up that myth, Prof!

[@judehart6895]

Thank you for this lecture. I just discovered you. It is so appreciated that you include history and research going back a while. I began my research into weight management in 1984. Bioenergetics is such an apt title for the study. Just thrilled.

[@jamesgordon8867]

So if you have a fatty liver, seems this would hinder lactate and contribute to complications leading to type 2 diabetes?

[@salutemetabolica1]

Could you PLEASE create a classroom on glucagon in human physiology and pathology? Can insulin and glucagon be elevated at the same time in human physiology? And in human pathology? What about low carb eaters? And people with metabolic syndrome or diabetes? 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@leandrobecker123]

Great class Dr. Bikman. I learned many things. What I found most intersting was the fact that lactate levels could indirect help us have insights about mithocondrial function! I would like to know if you could teach us more about mithocondrial dysfunction and chronic diseases (like cancer). You may know dr. Thomas Seyfried. He also speaks a lot about the cancer cell bioenergetics but not in a deep way as you could in my view! Just a suggestion for the next class!

[@SHlELDS]

wish I discover this channel a long time ago

[@denimb2024]

Love to hear you Professor Bikman !!!!

[@sheila7814]

This explains so much about everything. ❤ thank you for answers!!!!

[@ScienceAppliedForGood]

It was an interesting lecture and this book can be complementary to it 'Ketones, The Fourth Fuel: Warburg to Krebs to Veech, the 250 Year Journey to Find the Fountain of Youth' by Travis Christofferson.

[@rudytrianamd6246]

Amazing lecture as usual. Utilizing Dr Bickmans knowledge in my functional medicine practice! So why do muscles cramp with activity? Is it a mitochondria dysfunction? Thank you

[@paulhagiantoniou530]

Thank you for this Dr Ben, very informative. I’m curious as to after the recycling of the lactate by the liver through gluconeogenisis and the muscles then using the newly made glucose, does insulin now play a role in getting the new glucose into the cells of the muscle as the usual pathway?

[@smooth_pursuit]

I believe the muscles are able to suck the glucose up directly, without insulin

[@paulhagiantoniou530]

@@smooth_pursuit It would be very interesting if that’s the case

[@smooth_pursuit]

@@paulhagiantoniou530 yes… I’m pretty sure I’ve heard him explain it… the muscles have to need it though, i.e. you have to exercise and drain the glycogen for the muscles to suck it up, otherwise you need insulin to put it in the fat cells!

[@erniewhite1382]

Thanks Ben A great lecture 👍👍

[@ematise]

Fascinating as usual. Thank you!

[@yehonatan2020]

I watched one of your videos done about 6 years ago on Insulin and Glucagon. Really appreciated that Ben. Are you still of the same opinion on those two hormones now as you was back then? Would love to listen to a newly done video on those two and the I:G ratio etc. So interesting

[@heffes1667]

Been following Dr. Bikman for a while now and it has given me a lot. I am a former elite endurance athlete now battling advanced prostate cancer that has been radiated but unfortunately has metastasized. I have had a question on my mind for a long time and it is about the production of lactate when you exercise above your threshold and the subsequent reuse of glutamine. As a cancer patient, should I stick to low-level aerobic exercise or is it okay to exceed the threshold with relatively long anaerobic training sessions? I have also been following Thomas Seyfried and his very interesting ideas but still I don't really understand, although I suspect, that both healthy mitochondria and compromised cancer mitochondria do not discriminate from where they get their glutamine to produce new ATP. IE, which means that the energy flow to the cancer mitochondrial cells is fully supplied during exercise above the lactate threshold. I hope I made myself reasonably clear in following my thoughts and I will really appreciate your comments.

[@KenJackson_US]

Wait. If the transformation of glucose to lactate in muscles releases energy, then the transformation of lactate back into glucose in the liver must require an energy INPUT. Where does that energy come from?

[@lewynld]

I guess I know what I will be doing for the next 4 or 5 years. This is really just fascinating. I am very curious about how other tissues use energy, aside from the liver and muscle. Although perhaps there is a lot more to talk about just in these organs.

[@joanneferndale101]

Yesyesyes, you do that Honeypie🎉❤🎉

[@Akaash_G]

Hi dr Bikman. I'm listening your lectures about insulin resistance. Environmental engineer here, so nothing to do with my basics. Have BIG question. WHY on Earth I sleep much better on hardcore keto (barely eating carbs) BUT my sleep now is shortening??? Dont have a clue what is going on. I wake up about 5 AM, going to sleep abut 10 PM. Please help me with my couriosity and maybe do some short form for youtube. Other people on keto sure are curious too.

[@milantoth2045]

Amazing episode, thanks a lot 👌

[@Philusteen]

Thanks for the lactaid, doc!

[@davidblackford5193]

That was amazing , thank you Ben 👏

[@donrad]

Are high lactate levels correlated with diet? A high carbohydrate diet is correlated with developing type 2 diabetes. And you are saying that high lactate is correlated with developing type 2 diabetes. Are there any studies showing that high carbohydrate diets are correlated with high lactate levels in the body? Or, does going on a low-carb diet lower lactate levels?

[@saraha6237]

Foods fermented anaerobically? Lactic acid producing bacteria?

[@stevemotoq1411]

Brilliant talk, by knowing the history's makes it a lot easier to remember. Pluse , not just knowing but understanding Which makes the info valuable 😊thanks

[@Tee667]

ThankYOU

[@kalipolisNow]

What about Glutamine? Isn't that also a fermentable nutrient outside of the mitochondria?

[@umeshg9107]

Thsnk you Dr Bikmam. i asked this question about how RBC get their energy to many doctors. Not one knew the answer.

[@JosephRover]

Listen to this Professor the thought of lactose came to mind and how it interacts with the human body compared to the other sugars, fructose, glucose. Would you be able to discuss and tease this out please. And thank you for this informative lecture.

[@mariehelenegrenier8146]

Great, thank you

[@cates_keto]

Such a great video! Thanks 🙏🏻 🎉❤

[@willemvanriet7160]

Another incredibly clear talk conveying a very complex topic to ave Joe and Jill. Thank u dr Bilman. Healing thru knowledge indeed!

[@bronsonstone725]

Thank you for this. I had an organic acids test, Genova Diagnostics - Organix Comprehensive profile test. The pyruvate was undetectable, but L-Lactate was in the red, very high 16.9.... Any thoughts on the potential causes ?

[@carolync2866]

Oh no...I've been teaching that lactate can build up in a cell under anaerobic conditions leading to acidification. According to my current pathophysiology text (2022) "Lactate can escape into the bloodstream, resulting in lactic acidosis, which can be determined by laboratory tests". The acidosis can lead to either reversible or irreversible cellular damage. Is this totally wrong? Does a build up of lactate in any way lead to metabolic acidosis? I appreciate your input.

[@rongqut7576]

Fantastic knowledge.

[@-LocoBolon]

Hey Doc I feel that with this lecture we are getting very clone to connecting the dots on how cold therapy works in helping with metabolic health. I think that would make a great class.

[@theshadow8008]

Can you lecture about substrate level phosphorylation, thanks!

[@andersnorelius6876]

Again.....darn interesting. Seems like it all comes down to "insulin resistance". Then, in turn, it seems like most of our feared diseases are related to that, ie. IR.

[@paulb4985]

Any connection to lactose?? I'm very interested and very little info on lactose / galactose!

[@JasonBuckman]

Lactic acid and lactate are in fermented dairy.

[@mayutsuki]

Hello Dr Bikman, can insulin resistance affect also red blood cells? As you said RBC can use only glucose for energy, but they get it through GLUT1. Nonetheless RBC have also insulin receptors.

[@cynthiabahena9721]

How would you uncrease mitichindria?

[@chuckfoster4959]

When you stated that there is no Lactic Acid condition in the human body, were you stating any opinion related to Lactic Acidosis? My simple understanding is that the heavily exercised condition leads to acidosis, not that the lactate is in any way associated with Lactic Acid, but that the ion exchange when a lot of Lactate is present results in an acidic condition. I suppose my larger question is whether these newer facts about Lactate also mean that this acidic condition may also not occur? If it does occur, is it for a different reason than previously believed, and the term "Lactic Acidosis" should really be something more generic like "Metabolic Acidosis"?

[@donchigazola8886]

Ben, in a recent podcast Target Cancer with Dr. Tom Seyfried and Jason Fung, they talk about how cancer cells produce a lot of lactic acid, and not lactate. Please comment.

[@grochef]

You are truly amazing, Dr. Bikman. Since two pyruvate are created during glucose glycolysis, thereby creating two lactate molecules with non-oxidative glycolysis, does that mean that non-oxidative glycolysis creates two glucose molecules from one?! If that is the case, does intense exercise produce an insulin spike? Does that lead to more Insulin Growth Factor (igf1), and more muscle growth? Am I going off the rails?

[@rao249]

Thank you

[@emmaleethompson7964]

The Corey cycle is fascinating.

[@JoanMcDermott-rj8vb]

Thank you.

[@SaltDesigns]

What then does anyone know causes the burn or fatigue in muscle after exercise please

[@YourLifeRedefined]

Any chance you have an opinion on Urolithin A?

[@earthangel2590]

So how do you fix mitochondrial dysfunction?

[@diablominero]

Human metabolism generates lactate and acidic protons at the same time. It's not unreasonable to think of that as the generation of ionized lactic acid rather than two unrelated ions.

[@stephenn3727]

Thank you sir!

[@KuumbaOnline]

Since you said lactate can cause white fat town act like brown fat could that be a sign of fat reduction in specific areas? Also if you are exercising and then you get into a state of high lactate production is it possible to stay in that state for as long as possible to make your body more efficient at turning lactate to glucose and maximize the white fat to act like brown fat ?

[@astonlewis]

Age 69, carnivore since 1st Jan 2024 which has fixed Diabetes and CKD. Two outstanding issues remaining, Enlarged Prostate and Pulse Pressure. Pulse pressure is the difference between the upper and lower numbers of your blood pressure. A normal pulse pressure is 40 mmHg. Mine is constantly high 129/69 - 60 mmHg.

[@davidprice7224]

So if I understand it correctly, the mitochondria "make" and export lactate, but at a later time will also import it for use as energy. Is that right? That seems like a waste of energy. Why doesn't it just keep it and use it itself?

[@eileenromps9266]

What happens to lactate that is not used for energy? Is it release through urine like unused ketones?

[@dimitrispanagiotakopoulos5768]

So what causes muscle burning and fatigue if it’s not lactate?

[@omarsbaih4999]

Generally... Cancer patients have got high levels of lactate dehydrogenase......is it aresult of Worburg effect only ...?

[@hektor6766]

In case anyone's wondering, the "burn" is caused by microtrauma (microtearing) and the resultant inflammation in the muscle tissue.

[@joeberrouard3743]

Does anyone know how to get exogenous lactate? I have a muscle condition that doesn’t allow me to use glycogen so I would be curious to try it

[@tomprovan50]

very interesting

[@TCBytom]

and what about lactic acidosis? and why lactate is produced overly in the first place?

[@damonbaggs3296]

Thanks!

[@benbikman]

Thank you for your kindness. Certainly not expected, but noticed and appreciated. Thanks.

[@Resepdrea12]

Is it possible to empty 100 percent glycogen with exercise, before 16 hours fast? So we enter fast with zero glycogen. Example Eat at 4pm, exercise at 6pm to empty the glycogen, finish at 7pm, start fasting, rest then sleep at 9 or 10 pm. Breakfast at 16 hours next day at 11am. Can people live with empty glycogen?

[@MikeLisanke]

Dr, Bikman, Dr. Seyfried says in Cancer as Metabolic Disease talks about Non-oxidative Metabolism of Glutamine. Do you include this in your analysis of what fuels non-mitochondria red-blood cells? Or, am I just confused. Is the processing of Glutamine for metabolic energy specific to Cancer cells (some regression from eukaryotic cells)?

[@MikeLisanke]

I'm reading his book now and have Not yet read chapter 8 on Glutamine.

[@farmer_donny]

So if lactic acid isn't causing the burn in our muscles, what is?

[@cynthiabahena9721]

I was wondering the same.

[@russellcrowder7241]

The burning sensation in your muscles during intense exercise isn’t primarily caused by lactic acid, as was once widely believed. Instead, it's due to the buildup of hydrogen ions (H⁺) that accompany the breakdown of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of your cells. Lactic acid itself is actually converted into lactate and hydrogen ions, and while lactate can be used by the muscles as an energy source, it’s the accumulation of the hydrogen ions, not the lactate, that contributes to muscle acidosis and that burning feeling.

[@farmer_donny]

@@russellcrowder7241 thank you.

[@davidh9638]

How is the buildup of H+ different than the acidity of lactic acid?

[@russellcrowder7241]

@@davidh9638 They occur through different processes and have distinct roles in muscle metabolism and fatigue. Lactic acid production is related to the overall process, it’s really the accumulation of H⁺ ions from both ATP breakdown and lactic acid dissociation, this is the increase in acidity and the sensation of muscle burn.