sharpenu
Contributor
This is because of the way the body uses oxygen to make energy. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is the molecule used for energy at the cellular level. In order for fuels (foods) to be converted to ATP, they are oxidized. Like this:
Glucose + Oxygen= Water + CO2 + ATP + heat
OR in other words:
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 = 6 H2O + 6 CO2 + 36 ATP + heat
When you begin to become oxygen starved, the body has to create ATP through an anerobic process. The main one is called Glycolysis. Glycolysis is a complicated series of steps that do not require oxygen, and only produces 2 ATP per glucose molecule, while producing 2 molecules of pyruvic acid. Since there is not enough oxygen available to metabolize the pyruvic acid, much of it is converted to lactic acid.
The combination of less available ATP and increased levels of lactic acid make the person feal weaker and more achy. Breathing higher amounts of oxygen make the user feel better, as the body is able to produce more ATP and less lactic acid.
I hope this wasn't to long winded- I do that sometimes
Glucose + Oxygen= Water + CO2 + ATP + heat
OR in other words:
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 = 6 H2O + 6 CO2 + 36 ATP + heat
When you begin to become oxygen starved, the body has to create ATP through an anerobic process. The main one is called Glycolysis. Glycolysis is a complicated series of steps that do not require oxygen, and only produces 2 ATP per glucose molecule, while producing 2 molecules of pyruvic acid. Since there is not enough oxygen available to metabolize the pyruvic acid, much of it is converted to lactic acid.
The combination of less available ATP and increased levels of lactic acid make the person feal weaker and more achy. Breathing higher amounts of oxygen make the user feel better, as the body is able to produce more ATP and less lactic acid.
I hope this wasn't to long winded- I do that sometimes
