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The limiting factor of the anaerobic lactic energy system is the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. As the intensity of exercise increases, the body produces lactic acid faster than it can be cleared, leading to muscle fatigue and a decrease in performance.
Lactic acid is generally considered safe for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. However, concentrated lactic acid can be corrosive and irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Proper precautions should be taken when handling high concentrations of lactic acid.
It's when your body doesn't have enough oxygen to perform the "normal" process of creating energy, or ATP. Without the oxygen, our bodies perform lactic acid fermentation, which still produces energy but not as much as the one with oxygen. That energy is stored in the form of lactic acid.
The two main types of lactic acid are L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid. They are optical isomers, meaning they have the same chemical formula but differ in the arrangement of atoms. L-lactic acid is the form produced in the human body during strenuous exercise, while D-lactic acid is produced by certain bacteria.
Lactic acid is produced in cells when oxygen levels are low, as an alternative pathway to generate energy in the absence of oxygen. This process is known as anaerobic respiration or fermentation. Lactic acid fermentation helps to regenerate NAD+ to keep glycolysis running in the absence of oxygen.