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I cannot give credit to author as I copied and pasted off of brute strength author was not given on the board I pulled it from:


Maximizing Your Body's Performance

Production and management of sustainable biological energy resources is of vital concern for athletes. Disruptions in the normal production of energy at the mitochondrial level can contribute to a wide range of metabolic disturbances and symptoms, including fatigue, immune system dysfunction, dementia, depression, behavioral disturbances, attention deficiency, muscle weakness and pain, angina, heart disease, diabetes, skin rashes, and hair loss. These symptoms of metabolic impairment are also present in persons suffering from acquired diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and in those with inherited mitochondrial diseases, such as mitochondrial myopathy. As these conditions share a common link in mechanisms of metabolic energy production, they may also benefit from nutritional strategies that optimize energy production and metabolic pathways.

The Krebs Cycle and Energy Production
All cells must produce energy to survive. Hans A. Krebs first elucidated the process of cells converting food into energy, the Citric Acid Cycle, in 1937. Krebs proposed a specific metabolic pathway within the cells to account for the oxidation of the basic components of foods (carbohydrates, protein and fats) for energy. The Krebs’ cycle takes place inside the mitochondria of cells and provides energy required for the organism to function. Mitochondria are found in all cells in the human body, with the exception of mature red blood cells. The primary function of these tiny organelles (each cell contains approximately 500 to 2,000 mitochondria) is to convert energy found in nutrient molecules and store it in the form of adenosine triphosphate or ATP. ATP is the universal energy-yielding molecule used by enzymes to perform a wide range of cellular functions. ATP synthesis is one of the benefits of supplementing with creatine. In simple terms, the Krebs’ cycle metabolizes acetyl coenzyme A into citric acid and then runs through a complex series of biological oxidations, producing free hydrogen ions. A net of two molecules of ATP is created at this stage in the Krebs’ cycle. The hydrogen ions then enter a biochemical chain, known as oxidative phosphorylation, which is a highly efficient aerobic energy generator. There are different points where metabolites enter the Krebs’ cycle. Most of the products of protein, carbohydrates and fat metabolism are reduced to the molecule acetyl coenzyme A that enters the Krebs’ cycle. Glucose, the primary fuel in the body, is first metabolized into pyruvic acid and then into acetyl coenzyme A. The breakdown of the glucose molecule forms two molecules of ATP for energy in the Embden Meyerhof pathway process of glycolysis. On the other hand, amino acids and some chained fatty acids can be metabolized into Krebs intermediates and enter the cycle at several points. When oxygen is unavailable or the Krebs’ cycle is inhibited, the body shifts its energy production from the Krebs’ cycle to the Embden Meyerhof pathway of glycolysis, a very inefficient way of making energy. As well as producing for less energy, glycolysis produces lactic acid as a byproduct. Increased lactic acid is a common condition that can be caused by a variety of metabolic problems. Accumulation of lactic acid in muscle tissue produces the pain and inflammation we experience after exercising. While untrained individuals have a low lactate threshold, highly trained, elite athletes are extremely efficient at converting lactate to glucose and therefore have lower lactate levels.

Amino Acids and Energy Production
Amino acids can be converted via the Krebs’ cycle to glucose for energy or for storage as glycogen and fat. During times of increased stress due to trauma, exercise, starvation and disease states, amino acids can be catabolized to produce energy for muscular contraction. This is why taking free form amino acids can boost energy levels and help to prevent hypoglycemia. Additionally, low levels may diminish amino acid availability and require supplementation to generate energy and correct metabolic dysfunction. Under normal conditions all the reactions in the Krebs’ cycle proceed smoothly and ATP is generated without the excessive production of any harmful byproducts. However, different conditions can alter Krebs’ cycle chemistry, causing it to shut down normal energy production. For example, if catabolic pathways such as stress, illness, or the synthesis of amino acids consume vital intermediary substances, then the Krebs’ cycle can come to a grinding halt. Krebs’ cycle is controlled by enzymes that often require vitamin-derived cofactors and minerals to operate. For example, pyruvate is the anaerobic breakdown product of glucose. Its further conversion to acetyl-CoA requires cofactors derived from thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, lipoic acid, and pantothenic acid. When these nutrients are deficient, problems can result that disrupt mitochondrial energy production. The inability of pyruvic acid to enter into the cycle for energy production can shut down the second half of the Krebs’ cycle and create a lactic acid buildup. With increased acid levels comes a localized decrease in oxygenation of the tissues, leading to muscle fatigue and other characteristic symptoms. Researchers have concluded that prolonged exercise to fatigue results in carbohydrate and glycogen depletion that reduces levels of glycolysis.

Fatigue, Acidity and Exercise
Intense exercise involves an anaerobic component that can lead to a significant reduction of ATP, a buildup of lactic acid, and an increase in tissue acidity. Acidity can normally be buffered by the body, but high levels of physical stress can rapidly produce large quantities of lactic acid and overwhelm the body. The resulting excess acidity may lead to premature muscle fatigue. A buildup of lactic acid occurs whenever inadequate supplies of oxygen create a hypoxic condition, preventing the complete aerobic metabolism of glucose. As a result, ATP cannot be generated in adequate amounts, causing skeletal muscles to weaken, become fatigued and less efficient at contracting. In addition, the accumulation of large amounts of metabolic anaerobic byproducts can lower intracellular pH, inhibit muscle contraction, and may cause acidosis. The accumulation of metabolic byproducts, like hydrogen ions, interferes with muscle contractions and ATP energy release. Metabolic fatigue from exercise occurs when the muscle’s need for ATP has outstripped production capacity. Chronic acidosis in muscle tissue causes a negative nitrogen balance and loss of muscle protein. There are several ways to counteract metabolic fatigue. One approach is to increase the production of ATP by eating correctly and taking supplements that stimulate the pathways that make ATP. There are three pathways used by the body to produce energy: 1) the immediate energy-producing ATP-PC system; 2) the short-term anaerobic energy system of glycolysis; and 3) the long-term aerobic energy system of oxygen. Creatine supplements stimulate the ATP-PC system. The Krebs’ cycle factors, their precursor amino acids and food metabolites enhance glycolysis and aerobic energy production. An entirely different way to relieve fatigue is by buffering hydrogen ions and lactic acid. Buffers can prevent intracellular acidosis from producing fatigue and muscle breakdown. The intracellular buffers that have been shown to improve buffering capacity and enhance sports performance are phosphates, carnosine and bicarbonates. While bicarbonate is the main blood buffer, it plays a minor role in muscle tissue buffering. Phosphates and the amino acid carnosine account for 90% of muscle buffering.

Potassium and Sodium Phosphate
The alkaline salts of phosphor act as buffers to improve athletic performance in several ways. First, they reduce lactic acid buildup and intracellular acidosis to delay muscle fatigue. Secondly, phosphate supplements increase the concentration of 2,3-DPG (diphosphoglycerate) in red blood cells which speeds the release of oxygen from hemoglobin to muscles. Lastly, phosphate supplements help in the phosphorylation of creatine to creatine phosphate to reform ATP and increase energy. Numerous studies spanning decades have demonstrated the benefits of phosphate blood buffer supplements on improving athletic performance. The early use of phosphates to improve physical performance began with Embden (of the Embden Meyerhof pathway) during World War I. German soldiers were given sodium acid phosphate to reduce battle fatigue. East German researchers found that taking 1 to 3 grams of phosphates one hour prior to workouts improved psychomotor performance and prevented muscle fatigue. More recently researchers at the University of Memphis found that phosphates lead to a 10% increase in VO2max, a 10% increase in maximal oxygen uptake and a 9% increase in power output at anaerobic threshold.

More Than Just Performance
Mitochondrial Insufficiency, Alzheimer’s and CFS
A deficiency in one or more Krebs’ cycle intermediates and an inhibition of normal energy production may cause a wide range of metabolic disturbances and symptoms. A deficiency of malic acid and fumaric acid is linked to chronic fatigue and psoriasis. Disturbances in mitochondrial energy production contribute to a variety of neurological and physical problems. Impaired oxidative and energy metabolism are indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. These disturbances of energy production can create abnormal spilling of Krebs’ cycle byproducts into the urine. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) represents a condition of debilitating fatigue. Some neurological symptoms of CFS are poor attention, memory loss, lack of concentration and depression. An underlying cause of CFS may be an impairment in the production of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the fundamental cellular energy source. Studies have found that CFS patients have elevated blood levels of lactate, indicating suboptimal aerobic ATP production that can lead to fatigue and muscle aches. Studies have shown administering specific Krebs’ cycle amino acid precursors and intermediates to stimulate energy production significantly reduce symptoms of CFS. Therefore supplying a complete range of Krebs’ cycle factors and lactic acid-buffering agents may be of great benefit to the sufferers of CFS.

Summary
The Krebs’ cycle is an eloquent and essential system designed to generate large amounts of cellular energy required for life. Disruption of the Krebs’ cycle, whether caused by deficiencies in energy substrates, acquired or inherited disease states, or physical stress, leads to an inhibition of normal energy production and contributes to a wide range of metabolic disturbances and symptoms. The use of supplemental Krebs’ cycle acids and anti-fatigue buffers can assist in the management of mitochondrial energy substrates and increase cellular energy production. Such a nutritional approach can be of benefit to athletes, anyone who is aging, as well as those suffering from metabolic disturbances caused by inherited mitochondrial diseases or acquired diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).