Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferences Between Catabolism and AnabolismBoth Processes Affect Energy SupplyCatabolic ExercisesAnabolic ExercisesA Note on Steroids and Performance-Enhancing DrugsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Differences Between Catabolism and Anabolism
Both Processes Affect Energy Supply
Catabolic Exercises
Anabolic Exercises
A Note on Steroids and Performance-Enhancing Drugs
Frequently Asked Questions
At a cellular level, your body is constantly undergoing chemical changes to sustain life. These reactions involve energy and are the sum of a series of chemical reactions known as metabolism.Metabolismcan be classified into two categories of chemical reactions: catabolic (breaking down) and anabolic (building up). Both reactions are necessary to create the energy and building blocks for cells to function and maintain life.
This article discusses the differences between catabolism and anabolism and provides examples of exercises contributing to each state.
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Catabolism and anabolism are both metabolic processes involving energy, but catabolism releases energy while anabolism uses energy.
Definitions
At its most basic level, catabolism is the process of degrading or “breaking down,” while anabolism is the synthesis or “building up,” as follows:
Catabolism releases energy when molecules are broken down, while anabolism requires energy to make more complex molecules.
Remember the Difference Between Catabolism vs. AnabolismTo remember whatcatabolismdoes, you can think of the wordcatastrophe. Both words begin with the letter “C” and refer to the breaking down of something—in the case of catabolism, it’s a breaking down of complex molecules.To remember whatanabolismdoes, you can think of the wordadding. Both words begin with the letter “A” and refer to a building up of something—in the case of anabolism, it’s a building up of complex molecules.
Remember the Difference Between Catabolism vs. Anabolism
To remember whatcatabolismdoes, you can think of the wordcatastrophe. Both words begin with the letter “C” and refer to the breaking down of something—in the case of catabolism, it’s a breaking down of complex molecules.To remember whatanabolismdoes, you can think of the wordadding. Both words begin with the letter “A” and refer to a building up of something—in the case of anabolism, it’s a building up of complex molecules.
To remember whatcatabolismdoes, you can think of the wordcatastrophe. Both words begin with the letter “C” and refer to the breaking down of something—in the case of catabolism, it’s a breaking down of complex molecules.
To remember whatanabolismdoes, you can think of the wordadding. Both words begin with the letter “A” and refer to a building up of something—in the case of anabolism, it’s a building up of complex molecules.
Hormones
Hormones, the chemical messengers in the body, are responsible for catabolic and anabolic reactions. Hormones involved with controlling catabolism and anabolism include:
Catabolism breaks down larger, complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.Digestionis an example of a catabolic process. In digestion, complex molecules like carbohydrates and proteins are broken down into individual molecules of glucose or amino acids that can be absorbed and transported in the body.
Catabolism also takes place within the body, such as inglycogenolysis. During fasting, when blood glucose levels drop, stored glycogen in the liver is broken down to release energy.
Anabolism uses energy to create larger, more complex molecules. For example, amino or fatty acids may be combined to build proteins or lipids through anabolic pathways. Proteins become the building blocks for repairing or building muscle or other structures in the body.
The body constantly undergoes catabolic and anabolic processes, which release and utilize energy.
Any prolonged exercise is catabolic. However, most frequently, catabolic exercise is calledaerobic exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines aerobic exercise as any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic. Aerobic or catabolic exercise includes:
Additionally, users are at risk of contracting infections like viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) since these drugs are typically injected using needles.
What About Performance-Enhancing Dietary Supplements?
Many dietary supplements claim to improve your strength or endurance, increase your exercise efficiency, help you achieve a performance goal more quickly, and increase your tolerance for more intense training. Some of these supplements claim to be anti-catabolic in that they increase muscle mass more quickly.
The most common ingredients in sports-enhancing supplements include amino acids, protein, creatine, and caffeine. However, most studies on the effect of these supplements are based on single ingredients rather than the impact of combined ingredients and show mixed results or have too little research to support their claim.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that dangerous hidden ingredients are an increasing problem in products promoted for bodybuilding. Consumers may unknowingly take products laced with prescription drug ingredients, controlled substances, and other ingredients that cause both short- and long-term health problems.
Do Anabolic Steroids Increase HIV Risk?
Summary
Anabolism and catabolism are constant metabolic processes responsible for bodily growth and repair. When it comes to exercise, catabolic exercises, such as running and swimming, break down muscle, whereas anabolic exercises, like strength training, build up muscle. Hormones are important factors that impact anabolism and catabolism.
While some sports can encourage the use of anabolic steroids to help increase muscle mass, short- and long-term risks are involved.
The process of digestion breaks down food from larger, complex molecules into smaller, simpler ones, releasing energy. Therefore, digestion is a catabolic reaction.Learn MoreYour Digestive System and How It Works
The process of digestion breaks down food from larger, complex molecules into smaller, simpler ones, releasing energy. Therefore, digestion is a catabolic reaction.
Learn MoreYour Digestive System and How It Works
Both catabolic and anabolic exercises can be good workouts. The difference depends upon your exercise goals: anabolic exercises are better for building muscles, while catabolic exercises are good for cardiovascular health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults engage in both anabolic (muscle strengthening) and catabolic (aerobic activity) weekly.Learn MoreWhat Is Metabolism?
Both catabolic and anabolic exercises can be good workouts. The difference depends upon your exercise goals: anabolic exercises are better for building muscles, while catabolic exercises are good for cardiovascular health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults engage in both anabolic (muscle strengthening) and catabolic (aerobic activity) weekly.
Learn MoreWhat Is Metabolism?
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sánchez López de Nava A, Raja A.Physiology, metabolism. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Judge A, Dodd MS.Metabolism.Essays Biochem. 2020;64(4):607-647. doi:10.1042/EBC20190041Paredes-Flores MA, Mohiuddin SS.Biochemistry, glycogenolysis. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Patel H, Alkhawam H, Madanieh R, Shah N, Kosmas CE, Vittorio TJ.Aerobic vs anaerobic exercise training effects on the cardiovascular system.World J Cardiol. 2017;9(2):134-138. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v9.i2.134National Institute on Drug Abuse.Anabolic steroids and other appearance and performance enhancing drugs (APEDs).National Institutes of Health.Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bodybuilding and performance enhancement supplements: What you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sánchez López de Nava A, Raja A.Physiology, metabolism. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Judge A, Dodd MS.Metabolism.Essays Biochem. 2020;64(4):607-647. doi:10.1042/EBC20190041Paredes-Flores MA, Mohiuddin SS.Biochemistry, glycogenolysis. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Patel H, Alkhawam H, Madanieh R, Shah N, Kosmas CE, Vittorio TJ.Aerobic vs anaerobic exercise training effects on the cardiovascular system.World J Cardiol. 2017;9(2):134-138. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v9.i2.134National Institute on Drug Abuse.Anabolic steroids and other appearance and performance enhancing drugs (APEDs).National Institutes of Health.Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bodybuilding and performance enhancement supplements: What you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sánchez López de Nava A, Raja A.Physiology, metabolism. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Judge A, Dodd MS.Metabolism.Essays Biochem. 2020;64(4):607-647. doi:10.1042/EBC20190041Paredes-Flores MA, Mohiuddin SS.Biochemistry, glycogenolysis. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Patel H, Alkhawam H, Madanieh R, Shah N, Kosmas CE, Vittorio TJ.Aerobic vs anaerobic exercise training effects on the cardiovascular system.World J Cardiol. 2017;9(2):134-138. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v9.i2.134National Institute on Drug Abuse.Anabolic steroids and other appearance and performance enhancing drugs (APEDs).National Institutes of Health.Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bodybuilding and performance enhancement supplements: What you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity.
Sánchez López de Nava A, Raja A.Physiology, metabolism. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Judge A, Dodd MS.Metabolism.Essays Biochem. 2020;64(4):607-647. doi:10.1042/EBC20190041
Paredes-Flores MA, Mohiuddin SS.Biochemistry, glycogenolysis. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Patel H, Alkhawam H, Madanieh R, Shah N, Kosmas CE, Vittorio TJ.Aerobic vs anaerobic exercise training effects on the cardiovascular system.World J Cardiol. 2017;9(2):134-138. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v9.i2.134
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Anabolic steroids and other appearance and performance enhancing drugs (APEDs).
National Institutes of Health.Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bodybuilding and performance enhancement supplements: What you need to know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity.
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