Pyruvic acid is a substance produced in the human body from glucose depending on the type of activity you perform. This can be aerobic or anaerobic, and depending on the state of movement or exercise of the body, the oxidation of glucose will be slightly different.
What is pyruvic acid?
It is also known as pyruvate, but you can find it under both names depending on the publication. It appears when glucose is broken down to create anabolism.
Its chemical formula is 2C3H4O3, and its function is to interrelate in the chemical processes of the body.
It is colorless and smells very similar to acetic acid. One of the properties of pyruvic acid is its solubility in water. It can also mix well with other substances such as ethanol.
Pyruvate or pyruvic acid can be obtained through different methods. One way is by heating potassium bisulfate with tartaric acid and another by hydrolyzing ethanoyl cyanide.
Contents
Properties and benefits
- Improvement of metabolism
- Increase in glucose utilization
- Increases cellular oxygenation levels
- Promotes more energy in cellular mitochondria
- Supplementing with pyruvate boosts metabolism, speeds up sugar and starch burning by accelerating cellular respiration, or the amount of energy mitochondria use.
- Increases calories spent as heat rather than storing them as fat.
- Increased endurance during exercise
Since it plays a crucial role in the Krebs cycle, pyruvic acid is used to burn sugar and starch. This allows the human body to quickly obtain energy, enables cells to have material to stay active, and prevents food from accumulating as fat. This is why it is often used in cutting diets.
In recent years, it has also been shown to increase calorie burning. This aspect is related to another group of substances used as dietary and sports supplements, the best thermogenics.
How pyruvic acid relates to lactic acid
When glucose is split into two ATP molecules and energy appears, two things can happen depending on whether there is enough oxygen in the body.
- If there is insufficient oxygen in the human body, instead of oxidizing, pyruvate follows the anaerobic pathway, resulting in fermentation that produces benefits of lactic acid and the rest of the body. Pyruvate decreases to regenerate NAD molecules, allowing molecular regeneration.
If there is enough oxygen, it is processed inside the mitochondrial matrix, where the Krebs cycle begins, producing metabolic chemical reactions known as citric acid cycle and uses. This allows cellular respiration and the oxidation of fatty acids, amino acids, and sugars, producing CO2.
Pyruvic acid for peeling
This application involves using pyruvic acid for a chemical peel. It benefits the skin by renewing it. It helps eliminate scars, facial and body spots, and correct imperfections like pimples and wrinkles.
It is used when the epidermis needs deep renewal, with much more reach than traditional creams.
It is quite similar to neostrata glycolic acid, which can also be used for chemical peeling. The pyruvate peel penetrates the skin well and encourages the creation of elastin and glycoproteins.
Benefits of the pyruvic acid formula
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the pyruvic acid formula is 2C3H4O3 and works within the chemical reactions of the human body during glucose separation. This results in certain properties and benefits for skin health.
- Depigmenting, as it removes the corneal layer of the epidermis, allowing hyperpigmented skin to fade.
- Unifies skin tone, both light and dark spots on the face tend to disappear.
- Stimulates the generation of new collagen and fibers, like elastin, that give skin elasticity.
- Keratinolytic effect that reduces flakiness and bumps.
- Antimicrobial properties that cleanse and disinfect. Combined with exfoliation and keratinolytic properties, it reaches good depth, providing a medium peel.
- Sebostatic, regulating sebum production in the skin. It may be beneficial for those prone to acne.
- Keratinolytic action that interrupts the connection between keratinocytes in the epidermis. It may help prevent dermal deformities.
- Rejuvenates the face and improves signs of expression.
It can be used by a large number of people. It is recommended for those with facial spots, scars, and marks on the body. It is also one of the acids useful for depigmenting and promoting uniform skin coloration. After several weeks and once the dermis regenerates, the skin’s brightness reaches its natural maximum.
If you have sensitive skin, you should be careful as it could cause side effects or reactions. Always perform a small test on a hidden area of skin, and if it works well, you can apply it as an anti-aging cream, anti-wrinkle, and for reducing acne marks or move on to the next step with a chemical peel.
