Health Benefits of Calcium Pyruvate - 2018

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 6 years ago · 7 min read

What is Calcium Pyruvate

Calcium pyruvate is a natural substance that is created by our bodies that contributes to metabolism and the digestion of carbohydrates. As a quick aside for the uninitiated, metabolism is the chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, and also dictates how easily you store or lose fat, which is pretty important when you're trying to shed those extra pounds. 

The unstable form of this substance, known as pyruvic acid, is stabilized by the addition of sodium or calcium. Calcium pyruvate is the compound that starts the Kreb's Cycle, which is the sequence of reactions by which most living cells generate energy during the process of aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration is what happens in the presense of oxygen during exercises such as running and jogging. Pyruvate can be found naturally in things like apples, cheese, dark beers, and red wine. 

Can it be used for weight loss?

Many claim that calcium pyruvate can help with weight and fat loss. In theory, calcium pyruvate is the raw material for cellular respiration, so supplementing with it should increase the amount of energy burned, and allow for more fat burning. Some people have questioned whether or not this is actually the case, but a study done by Dr. Ronald Stanko at the University of Pittsburgh concluded that calcium pyruvate does have this fat burning effect. Obese women were put on a thousand calorie diet for twenty one days during this study. The group receiving the calcium pyruvate experienced a forty eight percent higher amount of fat loss, which came out to almost four extra pounds. However, very large amounts of the vitamin were used per day to elicit this result, so the old common recommendation of five grams per day may very well provide a benefit, but a bit higher of a dosage amount may be used to elicit this result. 

Additional Benefits of Calcium Pyruvate

Calcium pyruvate supplementation may also hold benefits for endurance athletes are constantly turing over ATP production for sufficient energy ot perform long bouts of exercise. ATP stands for Adenosine triphosphate, which is a nucleotide that transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism, and helps facilitate the synthesis of proteins, synthesis of membranes, movement of the cell, cellular division, transport of solutes, etc. The ATP is the molecule that carries energy to the place where the energy is needed. Transporting glucose and protein to muscle cells and making optimal levels of ATP available are the theoretical benefits of calcium pyruvate. There are accounts of increased energy and less fatigue from plenty of endurance athletes, and a peer-reviewed study, published in the "Journal of Applied Physiology" showed that twenty five grams of calcium pyruvate, combined with seventy five grams of dihydroxyacetone, caused a twenty percent increase in tricep muscle endurance over seven days of supplementation. 

Some suggest that other potential benefits of calcium pyruvate supplementation may include anti-aging benefits, such as antioxidant activity, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, increased glyogen storage and utilization, increased muscle building and retention, increased resting metabolic rate, and higher fatty acid utilization. Calcium pyruvate is naturally made and used in the body, so an overdose would be unlikely. However, side effects such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and increased bowel movements have been recorded. For those with heart disease, be sure to get calcium pyruvate, as compounds stabilized with sodium may increase blood pressure to dangerous levels.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.