Lactate: meaning, definitions and examples

It is also used as a verb to describe the process of a mother producing milk.

• After giving birth, the mother started to lactate.
• Breastfeeding mothers often experience changes in how they lactate.

This term is most often used in scientific and medical discussions to specify the chemical compound involved in metabolic processes. It can also be used in food industry contexts.

• Lactic acid builds up in the muscles during strenuous exercise.
• Certain bacteria convert sugar into lactic acid, which is used in yogurt production.

Used in a biological and exercise physiology context where this term refers to the salt or ester of lactic acid or the production of lactic acid by muscles.

• High levels of lactate in the blood can indicate strenuous exercise.
• The body converts glucose to lactate when oxygen levels are low during intense workouts.

Commonly used in sports, fitness, and medical contexts to describe the build-up of lactic acid in muscles during prolonged or intense physical activity.

• When you push your muscles to their limit, they start to accumulate lactic acid, leading to fatigue.
• Runners often train to increase their threshold for accumulating lactic acid to improve endurance.