What is Catabolism

Catabolism is “subdivision of metabolism involving all degradative chemical reactions in the living cell. Large polymeric molecules such as polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and proteins are first split into their constituent monomeric units, such as amino acids, after which the monomers themselves can be broken down into such simple cellular metabolites as lactic acid, acetic acid, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and urea. The first set of reactions provides the cell with monomers with which it can construct new polymeric molecules. The second set of reactions usually involves the process of oxidation and is accompanied by a release of chemical free energy, not all of which is lost as heat, but is partially conserved through the coupled synthesis of adenosine triphosphate. The hydrolysis of this compound is subsequently used to drive almost every energy-requiring reaction in the cell. Thus catabolism also provides the source of chemical energy necessary for the maintenance of the living cell.” (The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05)
Catabolism is the opposite of Biosynthesis or Anabolism and its major purposes are:

- The release of energy in order to generate ATP (Adenosine triphosphate which is a high energy phosphate molecule used to store and release energy for work within the body) from ADP (Adenosine diphosphate) and phosphate

- The release of electrons sometimes in order to reduce the power of your body.

It is the destructive process of metabolism which changes living tissues into energy or waste that will be later depleted. It is often accelerated during some diseases like fever or starvation.

The body needs energy which is generated by catabolism from the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids. So when molecules are constructed by anabolism, catabolism must occur at the same time to release the energy that biochemical reactions need. If anabolism occurs for a longer time than catabolism, than the body gains fat because the number of the unchanged molecules into energy is increasing. So in order to lose some weight, catabolism must occur for a longer time than anabolism. Anabolism being the constructive part of metabolism, it includes chemical reactions needed for constructing enzymes, proteins, cells and tissues. These are of most importance because are necessary for growth and tissue repair. When energy is produced, it will remain stored in glycogen or fat. Anti-catabolic training and nutrition is the main focus of today’s athletes. Why? Because, cortisol is released faster if the muscles are too stressed or muscle fibers are damaged. Cortisol is speeding up the breakdown of tissues (losing weight) and L-Glutamine is inserted to reduce this effect. Antioxidants and some other phytochemicals also reduce this effect, thus having anti-catabolic effect.
Metabolism with its chemical reactions only occurs within the tissue cells, so it’s not changing any other substances like food from the digestive tract. It is very sensitive to any nutrition issue, even the lack of one vitamin will slow it down generating lots of problems to the body. The anabolism creates enzymes according to your activity and nutrition, guiding your metabolism to lose or put some weight. If you plan to workout pretty hard or to lose some unwanted pounds with diets, a nutritionist must be consulted in order to be directed to the right path of having an optimal metabolism.