Lactate Gels: Does It Really Help Runners Perform Better?
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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aitor Viribay, co-founder of FLF (From Lab to Field), to discuss the science behind exogenous lactate—why elite cycling teams are suddenly interested in it, how it compares with carbohydrates and ketones, and whether drinking lactate could become the next major breakthrough in endurance fueling.
We discuss:
• Why lactate is no longer considered the "bad guy"
• How exogenous lactate works inside the body
• Whether lactate is actually a preferred fuel over glucose
• How it compares with ketones
• Whether it could improve endurance performance
• Possible effects on the brain, recovery and fatigue
• Why the science is still in its early stages
• What athletes should realistically expect today
If you've been hearing rumours about pro cycling teams using lactate during races, this episode explains the science directly from one of the researchers developing the technology.
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Exolactate
Learn more about Exolactate and FLF: https://flf.shop
Research website: https://exolactate.com
00:00 Why lactate may be the body's preferred fuel
01:00 Why elite athletes are suddenly interested in exogenous lactate
05:11 Is lactate where ketones were a few years ago?
08:08 How Aitor became interested in lactate research
10:17 How carbohydrates become lactate
12:14 Which organs actually use lactate?
14:12 Why lactate gets "VIP treatment" in the body
20:40 Is lactate a by-product of carbohydrate oxidation?
22:05 Where lactate fits among carbohydrates, fat and ketones
25:20 What happens after you drink exogenous lactate?
29:43 Is exogenous lactate different from natural lactate?
31:16 What's actually inside Exolactate?
38:04 Is exogenous lactate safe?
40:37 Does exogenous lactate bypass the cost of producing lactate?
42:26 Lactate, buffering and fatigue
45:40 Can lactate break through the carbohydrate ceiling?
47:25 Does lactate make carbohydrates work better?
49:51 Will lactate replace carbohydrates?
50:36 Lactate vs ketones
52:25 Training vs racing with exogenous lactate
55:07 Which athletes benefit the most?
57:38 Could lactate reduce central fatigue?
58:25 Recovery benefits
59:41 Why creating an exogenous lactate gel was so difficult
1:05:00 How much lactate do athletes actually need?
1:08:42 The biggest takeaway about exogenous lactate
1:09:33 What endurance means to Aitor
