Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionPurposeBuild UpLactic AcidosisWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Purpose
Build Up
Lactic Acidosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
This article will explain what lactic acid is, what it does, and what happens if it builds up in the body.
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What Is Lactic Acid?
Blood levels of lactic acid are low when there are adequate oxygen levels. When oxygen levels are normal, carbohydrates are broken down into water and carbon dioxide. When oxygen levels drop, carbohydrates are broken down for energy, and lactic acid is formed.
This typically occurs during strenuous exercise, but low oxygen levels can also occur with:
Once the lactic acid leaves the muscle cell, it disassociates into lactate and hydrogen ions, separately occurring in the blood.
What Does Lactic Acid Do?
Once the lactic acid leaves the muscle cell and enters the bloodstream, it quickly separates into lactate and hydrogen ions. This lactate can be recycled and used as energy during intense exercise.
The body uses the process of glycolysis to break down glucose into energy for the muscles and other body functions. This occurs most efficiently with aerobic energy production when glucose and oxygen produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s primary energy source.
If oxygen levels drop too low for aerobic energy production,anaerobicglycolysis occurs, and lactic acid is produced. This is a less efficient means of energy production and happens primarily during intense exercise when energy and oxygen demands are high.
Some research suggests that in addition to energy regulation, lactic acid may play a role in:
More studies are needed to understand better how lactic acid impacts the body.
What Is Lactic Acid Build-Up?
When lactic acid is produced faster than the liver can break it down, it can accumulate in the body and blood as lactate and hydrogen ions. While this has the potential to cause damage, the body typically deals with the build-up before problems arise.
Symptoms of Lactic Acid Build Up
Lactic acid build-up can cause temporary symptoms such as:
Does Lactic Acid Cause Muscle Soreness After Exercise?While the hydrogen ions in lactic acid can cause temporary muscle discomfort during strenuous exercise, themuscle sorenessfelt for a day or two after a workout is not due to lactic acid build-up.Typically this soreness is from tiny tears and cellular damage withinmuscle fibersthat occur as a result of exercise. While it may feel unpleasant at the time, this is normal and is actually how muscles become bigger and stronger.
Does Lactic Acid Cause Muscle Soreness After Exercise?
While the hydrogen ions in lactic acid can cause temporary muscle discomfort during strenuous exercise, themuscle sorenessfelt for a day or two after a workout is not due to lactic acid build-up.Typically this soreness is from tiny tears and cellular damage withinmuscle fibersthat occur as a result of exercise. While it may feel unpleasant at the time, this is normal and is actually how muscles become bigger and stronger.
While the hydrogen ions in lactic acid can cause temporary muscle discomfort during strenuous exercise, themuscle sorenessfelt for a day or two after a workout is not due to lactic acid build-up.
Typically this soreness is from tiny tears and cellular damage withinmuscle fibersthat occur as a result of exercise. While it may feel unpleasant at the time, this is normal and is actually how muscles become bigger and stronger.
How Lactic Acid Build Up Is Treated
The body has built-in ways to handle increased levels of lactic acid. Most importantly, once lactate and hydrogen ions build up in the blood, the body cannot maintain intense exercise. This forces you to rest before your body reaches adangerous internal imbalance.
Once the exertion stops, the body will clear out the excess lactic acid components on its own without the need to “shake it out” or use other measures to remove it.
Working to increase your physical fitness and stamina over time can help you exercise harder for longer. With any exercise routine, start slow and build as you are ready.
Other things that may help build your tolerance for intense exercise include:
What Is a Lactic Acid Test?A lactic acid test may be performed to:Diagnose lactic acidosisDetermine if the body’s tissues are receiving enough oxygenLook for sepsis (a dangerous reaction to a bacterial infection)Help determine ifmeningitisis bacterial or viralThe test is done using a blood sample from a vein or artery. If meningitis is suspected, a test for lactate in cerebrospinal fluid may also be performed.
What Is a Lactic Acid Test?
A lactic acid test may be performed to:Diagnose lactic acidosisDetermine if the body’s tissues are receiving enough oxygenLook for sepsis (a dangerous reaction to a bacterial infection)Help determine ifmeningitisis bacterial or viralThe test is done using a blood sample from a vein or artery. If meningitis is suspected, a test for lactate in cerebrospinal fluid may also be performed.
A lactic acid test may be performed to:
The test is done using a blood sample from a vein or artery. If meningitis is suspected, a test for lactate in cerebrospinal fluid may also be performed.
Very high lactic acid levels can result in a life-threatening condition calledlactic acidosis. The type of lactic acidosis depends on the condition that is causing it.
Conditions that can cause type A (most common) include:
Conditions that can cause type B include:
Certain medications can increase the risk of lactic acidosis, including:
Symptoms of lactic acidosis include:
See a healthcare provider if you are showing signs of lactic acidosis. It’s also a good idea to see a healthcare provider if you are not recovering well or if muscle soreness continues longer than expected after strenuousexercise. While this may not be directly related to lactic acid, it may indicate injury or a sign that your exercise program needs to be adjusted.
Summary
Lactic acid is produced during strenuous exercise to help withenergy productionwhen oxygen levels are lowered.
The lactic acid build-up is usually temporary and resolves quickly with rest.
Some conditions and medications can lead to dangerously high levels of lactic acid, called lactic acidosis. Unlike typical lactic acid build-up from exercise, lactic acidosis is life-threatening and requires medical care.
6 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.National Academy of Sports Medicine.Lactic acid build up in muscles: what you can do about it.Kaiser Permanente.Lactic acid test.MedlinePlus.Lactic acid test.Sun S, Li H, Chen J, Qian Q.Lactic acid: no longer an inert and end-product of glycolysis.Physiology. 2017;32(6):453-463. doi:10.1152/physiol.00016.2017Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy.What is lactic acid and how can it impact performance?MedlinePlus.Lactic acid test.
6 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.National Academy of Sports Medicine.Lactic acid build up in muscles: what you can do about it.Kaiser Permanente.Lactic acid test.MedlinePlus.Lactic acid test.Sun S, Li H, Chen J, Qian Q.Lactic acid: no longer an inert and end-product of glycolysis.Physiology. 2017;32(6):453-463. doi:10.1152/physiol.00016.2017Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy.What is lactic acid and how can it impact performance?MedlinePlus.Lactic acid test.
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.
National Academy of Sports Medicine.Lactic acid build up in muscles: what you can do about it.Kaiser Permanente.Lactic acid test.MedlinePlus.Lactic acid test.Sun S, Li H, Chen J, Qian Q.Lactic acid: no longer an inert and end-product of glycolysis.Physiology. 2017;32(6):453-463. doi:10.1152/physiol.00016.2017Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy.What is lactic acid and how can it impact performance?MedlinePlus.Lactic acid test.
National Academy of Sports Medicine.Lactic acid build up in muscles: what you can do about it.
Kaiser Permanente.Lactic acid test.
MedlinePlus.Lactic acid test.
Sun S, Li H, Chen J, Qian Q.Lactic acid: no longer an inert and end-product of glycolysis.Physiology. 2017;32(6):453-463. doi:10.1152/physiol.00016.2017
Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy.What is lactic acid and how can it impact performance?
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