Lactic acid is a chemical your body produces when your cells break down carbohydrates for energy. You might see it referred to as lactate. Muscle cells and red blood cells make the most lactic acid, but it can come from any tissue in your body. Most people think of lactic acid in their muscles during a tough workout. What is Lactate? Lactate is a bi-product constantly produced in the body during normal metabolism and exercise. It does not increase in concentration until the rate of lactate production exceeds the rate of lactate removal which is governed by a number of factors. A widely held misconception is that lactate is a toxic waste product of metabolism, driven by hypoxia and/or hypoperfusion. 1 It is now well established that increases in blood lactate due to hypoxia are likely the exception rather than the rule. 1 At physiological pH, lactic acid (C 3 H 5 O 3) is almost completely dissociated into lactate anion Introduction Lactic acid is produced in physiologically normal processes, and as a common finding in disease states. When increased production is comorbid with decreased clearance, the severity of the clinical course escalates. It's a test that measures the amount of lactic acid (also called "lactate") in your blood. This acid is made in muscle cells and red blood cells. It forms when your body turns food into Cite Share Subject Physiology - Other Issue Section: Articles Key points Blood lactate concentrations reflect the balance between lactate production and clearance. Glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and pyruvate conversion to and from lactate are linked with NAD + and NADH. .

what is lactate in blood