Lactic Acid Build Up in Muscles

Yesterday I encountered one of my friends, and she had a strange problem. She was an exercise freak and used to work out religiously and vigorously. But now she experiences pain in her muscles, every time she exercises. It is sometimes very severe, sometimes mild. After contemplating over it, we finally went to a doctor and after a gamut of tests, we came to know that it was nothing but a lactic acid build up. As it is produced when you exercise, I thought I should share this with all of you workout addicts. This article will save you the worry, whenever you experience pain and soreness in you muscles.

In 1780, Carl Wilhelm Scheele, an unassuming Swedish chemist, did not have the slightest clue that his experiment on the isolation of a type of carboxylic acid called lactic acid, would be so crucial in the study of kinesics. Well, since then, lactic acid or milk acid, as it is often called, has proven to be an essential element in the bodily functions, especially when it comes to the activities involving muscles. Here, I present to you a low down on what impact lactic acid has, on the muscles.

The Cause of Lactic Acid Build Up in Muscles
The first and foremost cause for lactic acid build up in muscles, is rigorous exercise. In certain exercises, the body muscles generate energy anaerobically, through the process of glycolysis. This is then broken down into a substance called pyruvate, which in turn leads to the production of a substance called lactate. So this is how lactic acid is built up in the muscles.

Side Effects of Lactic Acid Build up in Muscles
One of the most known and discussed side effects of lactic acid, is lactic acidosis. Normally, as mentioned before, lactic acid content in the body, increases after exercise. But if the level of lactic acid has escalated in the blood, it leads to lactic acidosis. Unexplained tiredness, sickness due to vomiting and nausea, breathing problems, pain in the stomach, lower abdomen or liver, are a few symptoms of lactic acidosis.

Apart from lactic acidosis, it is a belief that high levels of lactic acid cause soreness in muscles. When lactate is produced, it produces another component along with it, namely hydrogen ions. This slows the energy reactions by interfering with the electrical signals in the nerves and muscles. It also leads to impairment of muscle contractions. Hence there is a burning sensation, whenever there is a rigorous exercise. This occurrence is called the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS leads to an increase in blood flow, resulting in an inflammation of muscle tissues and muscle pain.

Advantages of Lactic Acid
There is a belief that lactic acid build up in muscles, is not very good for health. But contrary to that belief, lactic acid is in fact beneficial for our body, while exercising.

• First of all, lactic acid prompts glucose production in the liver.
• In addition to that, it serves as a quick energy source or a fuel and is good for heart and lungs.
• When the body produces energy anaerobically, lactate (salt or ester of lactic acid) even becomes the main fuel for brain.
• Lactate helps in adaption to stress and athletic success, in high intensity sports.
• In swimming, testosterone release is stimulated by lactate.
• Lactate is also supposed to be a signal, for the release of the human growth hormone from the pituitary glands.

In case, lactic acid is orally consumed for health reasons, the most common side effects of such medicines are mild and temporary burning, irritation, coupled with stinging sensations. Tightness in the chest, swelling on the face and rashes are severe side effects of such medicines. Well, so the next time you exercise, do not worry, just give your body a good work out without thinking about the pain. But, just make sure that you do not over exert yourself, of course! So go ahead and work out, stay healthy!