Lactate is a molecule produced by everyone as a by-product and a fuel for
exercise. It is found in the muscles, blood and various organs. Your body needs
lactate to function properly.
Where does lactate come from?
Lactate comes from the breakdown of glycogen, the storage form of carbohydrate
in your muscles. Glycogen breaks down to pyruvate by anaerobic glycolysis which
produces energy. Pyruate can then either continue to breakdown further and generate
more energy via the aerobic process or be converted to lactate.