At a cellular level, your body is constantly undergoing chemical changes to sustain life.

Both reactions are necessary to create the energy and building blocks for cells to function and maintain life.

This article discusses the differences between catabolism and anabolism and provides examples of exercises contributing to each state.

Close-up shot of woman tying shoes

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To remember whatanabolismdoes, you might think of the wordadding.

Hormones

Hormones, the chemical messengers in the body, are responsible for catabolic and anabolic reactions.

Catabolism also takes place within the body, such as inglycogenolysis.

Anabolism uses energy to create larger, more complex molecules.

For example, amino or fatty acids may be combined to build proteins or lipids through anabolic pathways.

Proteins become the building blocks for repairing or building muscle or other structures in the body.

The energy released by catabolic processes is utilized for anabolic processes.

The body constantly undergoes catabolic and anabolic processes, which release and utilize energy.

Catabolic Exercises

Any prolonged exercise is catabolic.

However, most frequently, catabolic exercise is calledaerobic exercise.

What About Performance-Enhancing Dietary Supplements?

Some of these supplements claim to be anti-catabolic in that they increase muscle mass more quickly.

The most common ingredients in sports-enhancing supplements include amino acids, protein, creatine, and caffeine.

Summary

Anabolism and catabolism are constant metabolic processes responsible for bodily growth and repair.

Hormones are important factors that impact anabolism and catabolism.

Therefore, digestion is a catabolic reaction.

Both catabolic and anabolic exercises can be good workouts.

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