Increased adiposity is a predictor of increased lactate, which in turn is associated with worsened cardiometabolic risk factors including insulin resistance, suggesting lactate may serve as a valuable biomarker of heightened cardiometabolic risk.
Key Findings
Results
Plasma lactate showed significant positive associations with multiple measures of adiposity including BMI and DXA-derived measures.
Study included 382 adults (39.2 ± 1.4 years), 47% female
Body composition was determined via dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Multiple linear regression models adjusting for sex were used to assess associations between adiposity and lactate
Both BMI and DXA-derived measures of adiposity were significant positive predictors of lactate concentration
Results
Plasma lactate was positively associated with total lean body mass.
Linear regression models showed significant positive association between lactate and total lean body mass
Analysis adjusted for sex
This finding was in addition to the associations observed with fat-based adiposity measures
Results
Plasma lactate was significantly positively associated with insulin resistance and circulating insulin levels.
Insulin sensitivity was determined using a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp
Blood metabolites were determined following an overnight fast
Associations between lactate and cardiometabolic factors were assessed adjusting for sex and BMI
Significant positive associations were observed between lactate and both insulin resistance and insulin concentration
Results
Plasma lactate was significantly positively associated with triglycerides and total cholesterol, and negatively associated with HDL cholesterol.
Significant positive associations were observed between lactate and triglycerides and total cholesterol
A significant negative association was observed between lactate and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
All lipid associations were adjusted for sex and BMI
Results
Plasma lactate was significantly positively associated with diastolic blood pressure and an overall cardiometabolic risk score.
A significant positive association was observed between lactate and diastolic blood pressure
A cardiometabolic risk score (CRS) was developed using the average of standardized deviates of main cardiometabolic risk factors
Lactate showed a significant positive association with the composite CRS
Associations were adjusted for sex and BMI
Methods
Lactate was determined from aliquoted plasma using a biosensor-based electrochemical analyzer following an overnight fast.
Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast
Lactate was measured from aliquoted plasma
A biosensor-based electrochemical analyzer was used for lactate determination
Juckett W, Steinberger J, Sinaiko A, Jacobs D, Dengel D. (2026). Plasma lactate and its association with adiposity and biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk.. Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104458