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ATP Energy Pathways:
What Is Adenosine
Triphosphate and How Can It Help Me to Lose Weight?
Adenosine Triphosphate or
ATP is a highly intricate chemical compound that is formed during energy
production. As the foods that we eat are metabolized, ATP is created and
stored in all of the cells throughout our bodies. It is especially stored
and our muscle cells. As ATP is broken down, our bodily cells are enabled to
perform their duties. Besides the energy that is created, another chemical
called ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) is also. ADP is simply ATP that is
missing one phosphate molecule.
The 4 energy pathways:
ATP is one of four energy pathways that enable our bodies to perform work of
all types including athletics, walking or even just sleeping. Everything
takes energy. The four energy pathways are:
-
ATP.
-
Creatine Phosphate or CP
which is also stored in our muscle tissues and combines with ADP to add the
extra phosphate needed for the manufacturing of ATP.
-
Lactic acid or LA is the
main metabolite formed by the lactic acid system and makes our muscles
“burn” with overexertion. It is formed as a result of glucose being
incompletely metabolized.
-
Oxygen (O2). The aerobic
system produces large amounts of ATP and is the most significant source of
energy for activities requiring endurance.
ATP production:
-
When muscles contract, ADP
is produced and then coupled with Creatine Phosphate to form ATP.
-
Muscle tissues also receive
ATP from the glucose that is traveling through the blood and also from
glycogen breaking down.
-
As the duration of the work
or exercise being performed increases, carbohydrates and free fatty acids
located in the cell’s mitochondria must be completely oxidized.
-
After all of the CP
storages are depleted in the muscles, glucose and glycogen begin to be
broken down to form ATP. This results also in the production of hydrogen and
lactate ions. When the ions accumulate, fatigue occurs.
-
During endurance
activities, the flow of blood is increased in the muscle tissues. This
happens as the blood vessels dilate. This happens so that available oxygen
can be delivered more readily. However, as exertion continues, not enough
oxygen can get to the muscle tissues. This means that not enough ATP can be
produced to continue the muscular contractions.
The significance of lactic acid and oxygen debt:
When ATP is formed by the process of anaerobic glycolysis, a compound called
pyruvic acid is converted into lactic acid. Most of this lactic acid is then
sent to the liver and converted back into either glycogen or glucose. This
process requires plenty of oxygen. So, after the exertion has ended, oxygen
is used to metabolize this lactic acid and replenish the ATP, CP and
glycogen energy storages. This extra oxygen is also used to replace oxygen
that had been borrowed from the myoglobin, hemoglobin, bodily fluids and
even the air in the lungs. The amount of oxygen that must be delivered to
replenish these systems is known as the oxygen debt.
So, to summarize, after physical exertion, the amount of oxygen used for the
following is called the oxygen debt:
-
To regenerate ATP;
-
To remove the buildup of
lactic acid;
-
To rejuvenate the myoglobin
and hemoglobin oxygen levels;
-
To regenerate glycogen
energy storages;
Oxygen debt is also
sometimes called the EPOC or “Excess Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption”.
So what in the heck does all this really mean for losing weight?
Well, it means a couple of things to you, especially if you’re trying to
lose weight by exercising. It means that your body requires plenty of oxygen
and that means that you need to concentrate on breathing deeply as you’re
exercising. It also means that your body has to have a certain amount of
time to recover from physical exertion. When you deplete your energy
storages and create an oxygen debt, your body must undergo certain processes
to rejuvenate itself. This takes time.
Adenosine Triphosphate is the primary chemical compound that fuels your
ability to engage in physical activity. Without it, your muscles are unable
to perform. Without Creatine Phosphate, oxygen, glucose and glycogen, your
ATP levels would be depleted and unable to regenerate. Regular physical
activity, a diet filled with nutrient-packed foods, plenty of fresh water
and attentive deep breathing will all act in conjunction to optimize your
energy production.
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