Researchers find that using lactate instead of glucose also works as an alternative energy source for the brain. Glucose is naturally associated as the main energy source for living tissues but there have been findings that it is lactate that is preferentially metabolized by neurons in the brain. Lactate or lactic acid is a by-product of carbohydrate metabolism. Lactate used to be associated with oxygen depletion after physical exercise, muscle fatigue, and a key factor in acidosis-induced tissue damage. But after various studies and findings, lactate has experienced a 180 degree turnaround. It is now considered an important factor in cellular, regional and whole body metabolism.
The findings may have a major impact on diabetics who have problems with maintaining their glucose levels. By utilizing the same effect that lactate has on the human brain as glucose, it can retain normal neural activity during diabetes induced complications.
