"Lose weight! Lose fat! Gain muscle!" It's the fitness advertisers equivalent of "Money for Nothin' and Chicks for Free." Here's the skinny on the latest magic bullet, pyruvate, an energy-creating substance, found in common foods and naturally produced in the body. Is it just more snake oil to fuel the dreams of the chronically overweight and out of shape, or is it a real fat-incinerating, muscle-blasting aid for the serious fitness enthusiast? Depending on who you believe, yes,--and no.

Scientific studies with pyruvate supplementation started over 25 years ago, on rats, pigs, dogs and obese rats, and when they yielded positive results, a variety of humans were added to the research mix. From morbidly obese women under hospital bed rest, to moderately fit men performing leg and arm exercises, subjects were fed high doses of pyruvate compounds, over 30-100 grams per day, to test pyruvate's effect on weight and fat loss, lean muscle retention and endurance.1,2,3 The obese women lost fat (not appreciable weight) and retained muscle mass, while the men were able to exercise longer and with greater ease and efficiency. These and other "double-blind" studies were done in clinical settings, with control groups taking a placebo, while the others took pyruvate doses, and were published in respected medical journals. Other studies have been done to replicate the earlier findings, with mixed results and reviews, but when supplements seem too good to be true, many scientists are skeptical.

The research of pyruvate has also come under question because of the business of manufacturing an expensive and unstable weight loss product. Numerous law suits have been filed and tried over ownership of multiple use patents, and criticism among those companies, are as prevalent as scientific critiques of researchers' testing methods, measurements and hypotheses--not to mention the hype-filled advertising claims.

Pyruvate, which was first tested under strict FDA standards, side-stepped the drug revue process, when it was reconsidered a supplement, under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act (DSHEA). This legislation proclaimed that if a natural compound has been researched, and peer-reviewed medical studies have been published, attesting to its benefits and lack of harmful effects, then that compound could be marketed without FDA drug approval. Pyruvate fit the bill and was launched into the market under a variety of patents for different categories of use--including weight loss, fat loss and endurance.

The body synthesizes carbohydrates and glucose for energy, through a process called glycolysis. As sugars are broken down, pyruvate (pyruvic acid) is produced, which readily enters the mitochondria of cells, to create energy to fuel the muscles and other parts of the body. Dr. Ronald Stanko, a leading pioneer of pyruvate study, began his research as a medical student, and finding positive hypotheses, he continued his research at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. "The results were very exciting to me," Stanko notes, "I thought, if we can reduce the weight of patients in the U.S., that will help disease in general."

Stanko and other scientists worked with animals and humans, using high doses of pyruvate to reach the conclusion that pyruvate can help people lose fat, lose weight and retain lean muscle mass. They also discovered some other exciting effects of pyruvate, including an increase of energy or endurance during activities. And perhaps therein lies it's benefit. Says one network marketing firm that sells a pyruvate supplement, "If you can exercise longer and burn more calories, you will lose weight and gain muscle--there is really no magic--just logic."

But Dr. Stanko and other scientists who have tested pyruvate, believe there is more--including additional benefits like free-radical inhibition and scavenging, which has many far-reaching effects.4 Several of those other doctors, including Doug Kalman and Carlon Colker, did tests with much smaller doses than the original studies, using subjects who were moderately overweight, not morbidly obese.5,6 Their findings supported those of Dr. Stanko and his colleagues, but their tests achieved results from using only 6 grams, rather than the previous 30-100 gram doses. Since Peak Wellness Center is a for-profit fitness testing center and performed the studies with funding from a manufacturer, the results have been scrutinized by members of the scientific community. They not only criticize the testing mechanisms and body fat measuring systems, but also the journals in which the studies were published. "There are detractors for every substance know to man," defends Dr. Colker, "What is enough research for you? This is not a stimulant, it's not like speed, it yields more energy, is not foreign to the body, it helps you get into a better physical state. Is it effective? Absolutely. Is it safe? Absolutely."

Some doctors state, there are "gold" standards for testing and for peer-review publications, and while the consumer may not be familiar with these standards, the medical community looks at results with a more trained and skeptical eye. Professor John Ivy, Chairman of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas, has done pyruvate testing, but he doubts the validity of the currently gathered data--especially since the results achieved with mice do not necessarily apply to humans. "There are no good studies," Dr. Ivy states, "The differences [in weight and fat loss] noted are statistically significant, but not practically." Several doctors were surprised to learn that Dr. Stanko was among the scientists to review the Kalman/Colker studies prior to publication, since as an owner of several patents for pyruvate, he is seen to have a vested interest in the studies' acceptance. Stanko also launched a line of pyuruvate products under a proprietary label, and will compete directly with another company to whom he had formerly granted assorted use patents, now considered non-exclusive.

On one issue, all those involved in pyruvate research agree, the quality of the pyruvate must be high to be successful--often reflected by a similarly high price--approximately $25-60 for less than a month supply. Pyruvate is very unstable and therefore difficult and expensive to manufacture. In early studies, Stanko reports that since pyruvate was not readily available, it was mixed with dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which is another form of pyruvate. Today, it is generally stabilized by adding a salt, either sodium, potassium or the preferred calcium, to make it possible for the body to assimilate without side effects and to maintain a shelf life. Some companies have been criticized for introducing inferior, cheaper, unstable pyruvate from China, thus lowering its effectiveness--and sales.

SKW, a German pharmaceutical company, recognized as a top-quality supplier of pyruvate to U.S. manufacturers, has created a blend of pyruvate and creatine which it believes is ideal for the conditioned athlete to retain lean muscle mass.

This combination has also been tested and marketed by Pax Beale, a 69 year-old international competitive body builder and Masters Champion, who discovered the benefits of pyruvate years ago and developed his own patented creatine-pyruvate formula. Beale and his wife, Sophie Taggart, also a competitive body builders, have used the combination nutrient before competitions and found success and championship titles. SKW and Beale explain that the synergistic effect of creatine and pyruvate makes the supplement up to 10 times more bioavailable to, or absorbable by the body, and it also omits the need for the loading process (high dosages when starting use of the supplement), usually associated with creatine. Beale's version is the first flavored, water soluble powder, which is easier to ingest than two to four 500 mg capsules, three times per day. Beale, a former Dow Chemical executive, with his own research center, suggests a slightly higher dosage than most. "We recommend five to ten grams, with a 6-7 gram/day minimum," he explains, since there is no scientific evidence showing lower dosages will work.

SKW has also tested pyruvate's effect on PMS, while other scientists in the U.S. and Europe conduct tests on its use for treating osteoporosis, heart attacks and stroke patients. Dr. Stanko's line of pyruvate supplements extends into preventive medicine to protect DNA against free-radicals, which he believes may even prevent diseases such as diabetes and cancer. "We can't become super-human by taking a pill. We can only try to be better physiologically," he states.

While pyruvate could be the ideal supplement for body builders and fitness fans who long for that cut, lean look, little research has been done with this population. One major sports information and products company, sponsored a study at Creighton University to test pyruvate supplementation on critical power, the estimate of output which can be maintained without fatigue.7 Though the study showed no marked improvements in endurance capability with 8 grams of pyruvate per day, it tested the effects on men and women for only 14 days, which is barely the threshold, where most experience positive effects. Bill Phillips notes in his Sports Supplement Review, that the study showed a "trend" toward both anaerobic and aerobic performance, which was more noticed in the women, who weighed less than the men, thus suggesting that larger people require higher doses.

Similar studies were done at the University of Memphis, Department of Human Movement Sciences and Education, by Dr. Richard Kreider, a respected educator, author and scientist, again with no major results.8 Says Dr. Steve Ferrell of the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, "We need studies examining the effects of pyruvate supplementation in men and women endurance athletes who are already trained, because these are the people who are going to be performing long-term exercise in a competitive situation." While acknowledging that some studies show pyruvate supplementation lowered perceived levels of exertion, and increased the rate of glucose extraction from the blood, Dr. Ferrell notes that the similar reactions occur with using a sports drink during endurance exercise, "To me, [sports drinks] would be a lot less expensive than buying a whole bunch of pyruvate and taking it every day," he states.

Though pyruvate use has not shown any adverse side effects, people from earlier studies, with high doses, have reported some nausea or stomach upset. Dr. Stanko explains those same symptoms can be felt by eating an orange, or aspirin. He notes that gastric upsets can be avoided by taking pyruvate with food--anything that will stimulate the digestive system. He also notes that in the earlier studies, pyruvate was not as pure as it is today.

Other pyruvate users and network marketing distributors echo only positive anecdotes, swearing that without changing their diet or increasing exercise, they have lost inches and measurable fat by taking pyruvate. Jerrianne Franklin, a working mother of two children, is a pyruvate disciple, having lost 25 pounds, in four months--including the holidays-- eating what she wanted, while taking 6 tablets (3 grams) per day. "This product is so incredible!" she enthuses, "I dieted all my life ... now I eat like a normal person, without freaking out about it every day. Nothing out there works like this--I have no side effects, I don't retain water anymore, I don't crave starchy foods, I just feel better!" Can the "placebo effect" help trim inches?

While other scientific studies continue to look at pyruvate's positive effects, most experts agree that there is no "silver bullet" to lose weight. "Everyone is searching for the 'Holy Grail' of fat burning supplements, which all pale in comparison to making changes in the diet," comments sports nutrition expert, Jonathan Bowden, While Equinox Fitness Club's General Manager, Carol Espel, states simply, "We recommend what we know works--exercise and nutrition modification. No one wants to hear that--it's hard work--there's no sexy, easy way."

Pyruvate

-is found in red apples, red wine, dark beer and some cheeses. Our bodies generally produce about 1 gram of pyruvate per day.

-is also produced in the body during glycolosis, the metabolism of glucose. Pyruvate enters the mitochondria, facilitating the production of Acety CoA (ATP) to make energy. The greater the concentration of pyruvate, the more quickly it enters the cell.

-seems to positively influence loss of body fat, not necessarily weight. While fat may be lost, lean muscle mass is not.

-reportedly works by enhancing the glucose "uptake" of muscles, enabling them to exercise longer, without exhaustion.

-doses have not been standardized, but Dr. Stanko believes that 4-5 grams is optimal, depending on body size. Other companies suggest dosages depending on caloric intake, from 3-6 grams, or as high as 10 grams per day. Most agree it should be cycled, taking breaks of a week or so, in between months of supplementation.

-should be taken with food.

-does not produce a "rush" or "high." Most people feel the effects after taking pyruvate for approximately three weeks or more at suggested doses.

-is reported to make people feel more energetic and able to do more of an activity for a longer time. Some feel less hungry than before, which might also be attributed to nausea, increased exercise capacity or mood elevation.

-is stabilized by combining with salts like calcium or potassium to enhance absorption. While many companies combine other supplements, herbs and minerals, none are proven to enhance the performance--except, perhaps new creatine combinations, which may create a synergistic effect.

-tests on individual cells and animals, have shown a beneficial action on free-radical inhibition and scavenging. Though exciting news for over-all health, healing, disease prevention and control, including diabetes, and even cancer, these effects have not been thoroughly tested in humans.

-works best with a sensible diet and exercise program.