Plasma Lactate as a Marker for Metabolic Health

Lactate concentration in the blood is commonly measured in relation to athletic performance and as an index of metabolic alterations in critically ill patients. As a result, numerous and relatively inexpensive methodologies exist to accurately and rapidly measure blood lactate concentration. Recent research indicates a potential for blood lactate concentration to also be predictive of subsequent disease states associated with insulin resistance such as metabolic syndrome, obesity and type 2 diabetes. For example, in young, healthy individuals there is a relatively wide range of resting blood lactate concentrations with some levels approximating those seen in obese subjects. Also, higher concentrations are associated with an elevation in risk factors for metabolic disease. In this article, authors discuss data suggesting lactate should be considered in terms of determining subsequent risk. A hypothesis of why lactate may be elevated and predictive of disease is also presented.