If you haven’t touched a Biology textbook in some time, you may have forgotten that metabolism is the sum total of all the chemical reactions or biochemical processes that take place in every cell of a living organism, allowing it to live, grow, reproduce, heal and adapt to its environment. Aided by vitamins, minerals and cofactors, metabolism is how a cell gets energy and removes waste. It’s considered a “vast web of interconnected chemical reactions by which all the cell’s constituents… are created and destroyed”. There are two main classes of biochemical reactions that make up the metabolism and these are anabolism and catabolism. Wondering what they are and what role they play in the human body? Let’s take a closer look.
When it comes to anabolic processes, the easiest way to remember their main functions is to remember that they build. It essentially takes smaller units such as nutrients, cells and amino acids, bonding them together in order to create larger, more complex molecules and structures. In the human body, this can refer to building muscle mass, increasing bone density, burning energy to break down fat cells, healing a wound, helping children’s growth in building stronger muscles, making polymers, growing tissue, repairing damage, etc. Some examples of anabolism include when:
Therefore, anabolic meaning can be summed up as being androgenic – this means they need an input of energy to progress and they are also not spontaneous. Anabolic processes are typically coupled with catabolic ones, which we’ll talk about below.
Catabolic processes, on the other hand, may be considered the opposite of anabolic ones. One easiest way to remember a catabolic reaction is to think of breaking down, or even digestion. In digestion, for example, structures such as proteins, fats or tissues are broken down into smaller units including cells or fatty acids. When your body isn’t getting the necessary food and nutrients to fuel it for daily living, catabolism breaks down muscle fat for energy use. Catabolic biochemical reactions are typically “thermodynamically favourable and spontaneous”. In essence, cells use them to generate energy or to drive anabolism. For instance, catabolism of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and polysaccharides generate amino acids, fatty acids, nucleotides and monosacharides. In some cases, waste is generated which may include carbon dioxide, urea, ammonia, acetic acid and lactic acid. In a nutshell, this is the catabolic meaning. And here are some examples of cases when it is in place:
During cellular respiration, glucose and oxygen react to yield carbon dioxide and water; and
In cells, hydroxide peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen.
Therefore, when it comes to catabolic vs anabolic biochemical processes, it’s important to remember that one deals with breaking down and the other deals with building up. They can work together and maybe considered different parts of the same coin when it comes to regulating biochemical reactions in the body.
When it comes to the complex world of hormones and their relationship with the metabolism as well as the two biochemical phases or processes of catabolism and anabolism, it’s important to take a look at which ones are involved.
With catabolism, the prominent hormones in the process include adrenaline (epinephrine), cortisol, cytokines and glucagon. Here’s what each one does:
The hormones involved in anabolism processes include estrogen, insulin, growth hormone and testosterone. Here’s how they each function in the body:
Regarding a metabolism and anabolic and catabolic processes, it’s also important that they come into play in terms of regulating body weight. As mentioned earlier, anabolic processes help to build and maintain muscle mass. On the other hand, catabolic processes break down or lose mass including fat and muscle. Both processes can lead to fat loss over time. However, fat loss and muscle gain do not necessarily mean a lower weight number.
For example, those who perform multiple anabolic workouts are more likely to shed fat and even gain muscle. Since muscle has a higher density than fat, the body weight and body mass index could be higher, despite a learner physique.
Meanwhile, those who engage in catabolic workouts could see fat loss and muscle loss. This will mean that although you will ultimately weigh less, you will also have less critical muscle mass.
Finally, there are also differences in exercises between anabolic and catabolic processes.
Examples of anabolic exercises include weight-lifting, push-ups and squats. These typically require very little oxygen and energy use. What these exercises do is cause small tears in muscle fibres and the body then spends energy to repair and strengthen the tissue. These exercises are great for building muscle.
Examples of catabolic exercises include “aerobic or cardio” exercises and can range from swimming and biking, dancing to running. They require the body to be in a steady and active state for a longer period of time. Furthermore, they increase the body’s heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. In this state, the body breaks down glycogen to use as fuel. When the carbohydrates “store” has run out, the body’s cortisol uses amino acids to create energy. These types of exercises are good for building a healthy heart and lungs, although they can also help cause the loss of body mass in terms of muscle and fat.
There are also combinations of anabolic and catabolic exercises that may be performed. These may result in the loss of fat as well as building muscle.
Keeping all this in mind, some people may choose to use anabolic steroids, which are prescription drugs that are either natural or synthetic and mimic the effects of testosterone. Their purpose is to help build more muscle in a shorter period of time, in an “artificial” manner. For best use of anabolic steroids, it’s advisable to consult with a medical specialist beforehand. And to check out what anabolic injectable steroids and oral steroids we have on offer.
Although steroids are primarily taken to treat a number of medical conditions, they are also…
If you’re here, you’ve probably had the question - how much protein do you need…
Although almost every specialist out there will tell you that if you want to lose…
There are distinct biological differences between men and women. These mainly come from our bodies’…
It’s a well-accepted notion that having a fulfilling sex life has many health and wellness…
Predominantly used in the bodybuilding industry, steroids are a synthetically created drug that tends to…