LACTIC ACID: Builds up during heavy exercise

During intense workout, your muscle cells need more energy. In response to this energy demand, your red blood cells form lactic acid which serves as your body’s main source of energy whenever insufficient oxygen levels are being supplied in your muscle cells. When your oxygen levels increase, lactic acid normally goes back to normal. But sometimes, this doesn’t happen. In some cases, lactic acid accumulates and even goes beyond normal levels.

High levels of lactic acid leads to a condition called lactic acidosis. In severe cases, it alters your blood pH low enough to cause muscle weakness, vomiting, rapid breathing, sweating, and even life threatening symptoms such as coma. When this happens, intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate is advised.

Even so, lactic acid is considered a product of some organisms when they metabolize sugars. This process is called lactic acid fermentation, which enables organisms such as lactobacilli to convert pyruvate into lactate. Lactate (the conjugate form of lactic acid) gives yogurt its unique taste.

How does Lactic Acid look like in Chemistry?