Why does the body need to remove lactic acid?

The body removes lactic acid because its accumulation in the muscles and blood can cause a number of negative effects.

Acidosis: Lactic acid is an acidic substance, and its accumulation in the body can lead to acidosis, a condition in which the pH of the blood becomes too acidic. Acidosis can interfere with a number of important bodily functions, including enzyme activity, muscle contraction, and nerve conduction.

Muscle fatigue and soreness: Lactic acid buildup in the muscles can cause muscle fatigue and soreness. This is a common experience after intense exercise, when the muscles have produced a large amount of lactic acid. The soreness is thought to be caused by the irritation of the muscle fibers by the acidic environment created by the lactic acid.

Nausea and vomiting: Lactic acid buildup can also cause nausea and vomiting. This is often seen in people who have been engaged in strenuous exercise or who have a medical condition that causes lactic acidosis.

In order to prevent these negative effects, the body removes lactic acid from the blood and muscles through a variety of mechanisms. These mechanisms include:

Metabolism: Lactic acid can be metabolized by the liver into glucose, which can then be used for energy or stored as glycogen.

Excretion: Lactic acid can be excreted by the kidneys into the urine.

Buffering: The body can use bicarbonate ions to buffer lactic acid, converting it into the less acidic lactate.

By removing lactic acid from the body, these mechanisms help to maintain a healthy pH balance and prevent the negative effects of lactic acid accumulation.