Lactate Is Not A Waste Product; It Is, in Fact, A Fuel

The new study confirms that lactate plays the same role during normal non-exercise activity and resting as in during intense exercise.

It's evidence to show that lactate shouldn't be associated with anaerobic metabolism. It's just a normal response to consuming carbohydrates or to exercise. In exercise, lactate is utilized as the dominant fuel source. That's why our blood lactate increases as we exercise a little harder. It's not that we're making it as a waste product. It's getting into the blood because it needs to go to tissues that need it to continue their physiological performance.