Lactic acid is a by-product of the process cells use to produce energy. As cells convert glucose to energy, they use oxygen. If there is not enough oxygen within the cell, the cell is still able to produce energy, but also produces lactic acid....
Lactic acid, according to the National Institutes of Health's MedLinePlus, is formed when carbohydrates are broken down for energy in situations when oxygen is low or not present at all. Lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, are used in...
Lactic acid forms in your muscles and red blood cells when your body breaks down carbohydrates to use as fuel. This process occurs when you are low on oxygen, particularly during intense exercise; intense anaerobic exercise, like weight training,...
Our bodies form lactic acid naturally. It forms as the body converts carbohydrates into energy during periods of low oxygen levels, which can occur with intense physical exercise. In foods, lactic acid either occurs naturally, or a synthesized...
The kidneys and lungs are responsible for maintaining the proper pH level of acids and bases in the body. Acidosis occurs when the acid builds up in the blood or when bicarbonate, a base, is lost. The body produces lactic acid mainly in the muscle...
Lactic acidosis results from the buildup of acid in the blood due to a problem with cellular respiration. Cellular respiration, or the processes involving the production of energy in the cells, is most efficient when there is an adequate supply of...
Millions of people in the U.S. with chronic lung conditions struggle to breathe. Breathing problems and muscle fatigue can make physical exertion especially challenging for people with lung disease. While exercise won't make your lungs stronger,...
Lactic acid, or lactate, is produced in muscle cells by the anaerobic breakdown of glycogen during short bursts of high-intensity exercise. It forms when the body metabolizes carbohydrates to generate energy when oxygen levels are low. It may...
Vigorous exercise causes lactic acid buildup in your tissues and body fluids, as evidenced by aching muscles the day after a workout. However people with certain metabolic conditions or taking certain drugs are at a greater risk of building up...
If you're a couch potato or weekend warrior, you probably won't ever receive an anaerobic test, but if you're an elite athlete, it could be an important part of your training. The test is most relevant to sprinters, but also helpful if you...
Your small intestine produces an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for breaking down the milk sugar lactose. If you are lactose intolerant, your small intestine does not produce sufficient amounts of lactase to break down lactose....
When you exercise, your body produces lactic acid as a byproduct. If you're exercising at a low intensity, your body is able to quickly clear this byproduct. However, when you begin to cycle at a more intense rate, it becomes increasingly more...
Cycling has many positive health benefits. The low-impact exercise is gentle on your joints and also strengthens your heart and lungs, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. The more you're able to push yourself...
Lactose intolerance, or lactase deficiency, occurs when a person's body doesn't make enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the sugar in milk and makes it digestible. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children do not...
During strenuous exercise, oxygen delivers energy to your muscles. As you continue to train, your body must work harder to deliver oxygen to your muscles. Your body breaks down carbohydrates for energy when oxygen levels decline, producing lactic...
Many foods naturally contain molecules of sugar; fruit contains fructose and milk contains lactose. The human body uses the simple sugar glucose as the main source of fuel for the cells. Lactose consists of a glucose molecule bound to another...
Lactose, the primary sugar in milk, normally digests in the small intestine with the help of an enzyme called lactase. Since lactose intolerant individuals do not produce enough of the lactase enzyme, their bodies cannot digest lactose properly....
High-intensity exercise is fatiguing. And there are reasons your body may succumb to the exertion of high-intensity physical activity. Fatigue can be caused by your body's inability to meet metabolic needs, by an unmet demand for oxygen or from...
If you are lactose intolerant, your small intestine cannot adequately produce an enzyme called lactase, which helps break down lactose. Because of this, you may experience nausea, bloating, diarrhea, gas and abdominal cramps after consuming foods...
Lactose intolerance is a condition that is very common in adults, causing mild to severe discomfort after drinking or eating milk products. While there is no cure, you can treat it by making dietary adjustments. The severity of the condition can...
Put simply, acidosis is a buildup of too much acid in your bodily fluids. There are several different types of acidosis, with a variety of causes; one type relates to over-exercising or extreme physical exertion. If you're concerned that you might...
Alpha hydroxy acids, including lactic acid, glycolic acid and citric acid, are a common component in skin rejuvenating products. Princeton University's health services department says the acids help by cleaning out your pores, removing dead skin...
Ketosis occurs when the fat in your body does not break down completely, producing ketones. It's a condition that can occur when you go on a low-carb diet and glycogen stores in your liver are depleted. When you have too much acid in your system,...
Resistance training, or lifting weights, has many health and performance benefits. Regular sessions help control body weight and total body fat, which reduces your risk of disease, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. You can...
Fermentation is a process in which food is pre-digested by bacteria or fungi to create a product that may be tastier in some ways, or have other culinary or medicinal value lacking in the original food. Fermented foods are often good sources of...
Testing levels of various substances in the blood can provide information about how the liver is functioning and whether it is currently sustaining damage. These blood tests are collectively referred to as liver function tests, or LFTs. LFTs can...
Sodium dichloroacetate, commonly referred to simply as dichloroacetate or DCA, is a buffered form of dichloracetic acid. This synthetic chemical compound has gained attention because it shows some potential as a cancer treatment. The buffered form...
Muscular endurance is your ability to perform a high volume of sub-maximal efforts without undue fatigue. This component of muscular fitness is important in sports and many everyday activities. You can improve your muscular endurance by performing...
