[C:1]([OH:6])(=[O:5])[C:2](C)=O.C([O-])(=O)C(C)=O.[Mg+2].C([O-])(=O)C(C)=O.C([O-])(=O)C(C)=O.[K+].C([O-])(=O)C(C)=O.[Ca+2].C([O-])(=O)C(C)=O.C([O-])(=O)C(C)=O.[Na+].[Na].C([O-])(=O)C(C)=O.C(NCC(O)=O)(=O)C(C)=O.C([CH:69]([N:73]([C:75](=[NH:77])[NH2:76])C)C(O)=O)(=O)C(C)=O.O=C(C[N:82]([C:84](=[NH:86])[NH2:85])C)O>O.C(O)(=O)C>[O:5]=[C:1]([CH2:2][N:73]([C:75](=[NH:76])[NH2:77])[CH3:69])[OH:6].[O:5]=[C:1]([CH2:2][NH:85][C:84](=[NH:82])[NH2:86])[OH:6]Pyruvic acid is a colorless liquid with an odor resembling that of acetic acid and has a melting point of 13° C. Pyruvic acid is an intermediate in the breakdown of sugars to alcohol by yeast. The mineral salts of pyruvic acid, such as magnesium pyruvate, potassium pyruvate or calcium pyruvate or mixtures thereof are useful in the present invention. Sodium pyruvate is not especially preferred as it is known that sodium is associated with various negative medical conditions such as high blood pressure, water retention and heart disease. Further, certain athletes, such as bodybuilders, desire to present a defined visual image of their body which shows muscle definition and thus, the water retention properties of the sodium salt are not beneficial. Pyruvate precursors in the form of pyruvamides or pyruvyl-amino acids are also useful in the present invention. Pyruvyl-glycine is representative of the useful pyruvyl-amino acids. Another form of pyruvate precursor is pyruvyl-creatine, wherein pyruvate is bonded to creatine either covalently or ionically. Creatine or methylguanidineacetic acid has the chemical formula: ##STR2## and is present in the muscle tissue of vertebrates. It plays an important part in the cycle of chemical changes involving muscular contraction. Normally, creatine is the form in which creatine is excreted. Creatine is formed in the body by the methylation (by methionine) of glycocyamine.
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