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You may wonder how the body produces all the energy used for daily activities and even metabolism. Well, no doubt the body produces energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), and this energy is used to fuel all cells in the body and function in three major ways including:
- ATP is necessary for mineral substances between cell membranes, including potassium and calcium
- ATP is essential for the synthesis of chemical compounds like cholesterol and protein
- ATP is used as a major source of energy for mechanical work, like muscular functions
There are more but for the purposes of this article our bodies produce this needed energy in form of ATP using four major mechanisms, namely:
- Glycolysis
- Beta-oxidation
- Oxidative phosphorylation
- Aerobic Respiration
These four systems use different starting fuel, provide ATP at different rates, and vary based on whether they use oxygen or not.
Glycolysis – essentially carbohydrate metabolism Glycolysis is one of the major ways our bodies produce energy, and it occurs in almost all cells. This process involves the catabolic breakdown of one molecule of glucose into two molecules of ATP and two molecules of pyruvic acid. This process is anaerobic and uses glucose stored in the muscle and liver in a concentrated form called glycogen. The energy produced is then used by various systems in the body.
Beta-oxidation – essentially fat metabolism The body also breaks down lipids to produce energy in a process called beta-oxidation. Fat is a good source of energy and it consists of a glycerol backbone with 2-3 fatty acids connected to it. So when you eat fatty foods, the body absorbs the fat and break off the fatty acids from the glycerol. This is a slow system that takes place in the mitochondrion, and the fatty acids are broken down to produce ATP which is further used to synthesize acetyl-CoA. The body uses this process to produce energy when carbohydrate is not available.
Oxidative Phosphorylation – The body also produces energy through oxidative phosphorylation, and this is a major producer of ATP in our body. In fact, 26 out of 30 molecules of ATP formed from glucose are generated through oxidative phosphorylation. The starting fuels are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. So when the carbohydrates and fat are delivered to the mitochondria, they are broken down to yield ATP. Usually, electrons flow from chemicals known as FADH (flavin adenine dinucleotide) or NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide to oxygen to form ATP.
Aerobic Respiration – This is a mechanism whereby our body uses oxygen to burn glucose and produce ATP. Without oxygen, this process converts to anaerobic respiration, which generates 2ATP compared to 34 ATP produced through aerobic respiration. This sugar burning process delivers the energy your body needs to live, do everyday activities and cardio exercises, such as jogging, running, etc.
However, if your body is not producing the right amount of energy you need and you’re looking for ways to improve your energy levels, consulting a Chiropractor can help you get the required boost. You can consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office Elizabeth City, NC, and get the best Chiropractic care to help your body produce more energy.
