Lactic acid is a colorless compound that is produced by almost all tissues in the body and is essential for carrying out all activities.
This substance was identified in 1780 by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm, who isolated it from sour milk. Later, in 1856, it was mass-marketed by Germans.
But what is the connection between lactic acid, exercise, and your body? When your body is deprived of oxygen, lactic acid is secreted from your body tissues. This situation arises when you engage in intense physical activity.
When athletes perform strenuous exercises, they feel a burning sensation in their engaged muscles; this burning is due to the excessive accumulation of lactic acid in those muscles. If the exercise is light and enough oxygen reaches the body, glucose is converted into water and carbon dioxide, producing energy. However, if the exercise is heavy, fast, and high-intensity, oxygen levels drop, and glucose is converted into energy and lactic acid. Lactic acid is also referred to as “oxygen debt,” meaning that when the body has low oxygen, it uses this formula to supply its energy, but somehow, your body needs to repay this oxygen debt. Otherwise, lactic acid accumulates in the body and indirectly causes feelings of muscle soreness and burning.
The body utilizes lactic acid throughout its entirety. Additionally, lactic acid plays a significant role in the proper functioning of cells, tissues, and organs. The production of lactic acid is entirely aerobic, meaning it occurs during normal respiration.
Activities can be categorized into aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration:
Aerobic Respiration
When we breathe, the energy stored in our molecules is released and becomes the fuel needed for metabolic activities. If oxygen is required for the metabolic process, it is called aerobic respiration. In this process, glucose present in the blood is converted, releasing water and carbon dioxide. This released energy is necessary for daily activities. Aerobic respiration is repeated and continued in daily tasks. The equation for this activity and cycle is as follows: Glucose+Oxygen→Carbon Dioxide+Water+Energy\text{Glucose} + \text{Oxygen} \rightarrow \text{Carbon Dioxide} + \text{Water} + \text{Energy}Glucose+Oxygen→Carbon Dioxide+Water+Energy
Anaerobic Respiration
Another method is anaerobic respiration. As the name suggests, oxygen is not the primary requirement for this process. Instead, it is the enzymes that can supply the energy production cycle. Let’s explain with an example: when you engage in intense physical activity daily, the oxygen in your blood decreases. This causes the body to break down glucose for energy, and this time glucose releases energy and lactic acid instead of producing water and carbon dioxide. For this reason, lactic acid is also called “oxygen debt,” because when the body has low oxygen, it uses this method to meet its oxygen needs. However, if you want to avoid muscle soreness after exercise and intense activities, you must repay this oxygen debt to the body. The equation for this method is as follows: Glucose→Lactic Acid+Energy\text{Glucose} \rightarrow \text{Lactic Acid} + \text{Energy}Glucose→Lactic Acid+Energy
What is Lactic Acidosis? Symptoms of Lactic Acidosis
When the body experiences a lack of oxygen due to intense activity and exertion, lactic acidosis occurs. In this case, the body becomes acidic, and a substance called lactic acid is secreted in the muscles. The signs and symptoms of lactic acidosis include:
- Muscle pain and burning sensation
- Muscle spasms and cramps
- Sudden muscle weakness
- Tingling and numbness in the affected limbs
- Shortness of breath and rapid, shallow breathing
- Nausea
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes