Sports Nutrition Bible

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ATP and ADP

So the body can only store very tiny amounts of ATP at any one time. Basically there is just about enough to keep up basic energy requirements while you're resting. Obviously when you start exercising, the demand for energy suddenly increases, and the supply of ATP is used up within seconds.

As more ATP must be produced to continue exercising, more fuel must be broken down.


So where does this fuel come from?

Well namely...

Carbohydrate
Protein
Fat
and Alcohol

When the above is eaten, they are broken down (in the digestive system) into their various constituents or building blocks. Then they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Carbs are broken down into small, single sugar units: glucose, fructose and galactose. Fats are borken down into fatty acids and proteins are broken down into amino acids. Alcohol is evil and is mainly absorbed into the blood.

The ultimate fate of these 4 components is energy production.