What is ATP? 10 Questions You Need Answered

ATP has become a buzz word surrounding supplements and energy, but many of us are left wondering, what is ATP?

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary supplier of energy to all cells in the body. It’s produced in the mitochondria.

All living things require a continuous supply of energy to function. This is where ATP comes in.

Whether you're exercising, making a protein shake, or taking a shower, your body's cells require energy to fuel the chemical reactions that will keep you moving and alive.

These cells get energy from ATP.

But, that’s not all about adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Here are 10 questions that'll help you get a better understanding of ATP:

1. Why is ATP Important?
2. What are the functions of ATP?
3. Is ATP a protein?
4. How much ATP do we use in a day?
5. Does ATH build muscle?
6. What supplements increase ATP?
7. What is the best source of ATP?
8. What gives you energy fast?
9. What happens when ATP levels are high?
10. What physical activities use ATP?

Let's get dive in...

1. WHY IS ATP IMPORTANT?

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy carrier for all cellular processes.

It plays a critical role in DNA synthesis. The adenosine, a molecule formed from ATP, is put into RNA.

Without ATP, cellular structures would not have enough energy to perform many processes. The cell is the basic structure of all living things. Without them, the organism could cease to exist.

Therefore, we can say ATP is essential for survival.

2. WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF ATP?

There are four main functions of ATP in the body. 

• Energy Carrier
• Active Transport
• Cell Signalling 
• Structural Maintenance

ENERGY CARRIER

ATP carries all the energy required for cellular processes.

When hydrolyzed, ATP is converted to ADP (adenosine diphosphate), and energy is released.

It’s also produced through cellular respiration and fermentation, which doesn’t use an electron transport chain.

ACTIVE TRANSPORT

The energy released during the hydrolysis of ATP helps transport molecules such as lipids and proteins in and out of the cells.

CELL SIGNALLING 

ATP plays a critical role in cell signaling, helping the cells to communicate.

For example, kinases enzymes use ATP to transmit physical or chemical signals from receptors outside the cell to inside the cell.

Adenosine modulates neuronal signaling, control of immune systems, and neural development in the central nervous system.

STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE

ATP also helps preserve the cell structure by helping assemble the skeletal elements.

Additionally, it supplies energy to the chromosomes to maintain their proper functioning.

3. IS ATP A PROTEIN?

No, ATP is not a protein.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a nucleotide with an adenine base attached to a ribose sugar, which is then attached to three phosphate groups, alpha, beta, and gamma.

4. HOW MUCH ATP DO WE USE IN A DAY?

An average adult of 70kgs uses around 65 to 70 kgs of ATP per day.

That means the amount of ATP in the human body is nowhere near enough to carry out the metabolic processes of an average human.

Consequently, the body recycles every ATP molecule about 1,000 to 1,500 times per day.

The body’s shortage of ATP can cause mitochondrial disorders in the kidneys, heart, brain, liver, and skeletal muscle. These organs consume the most energy in the body.

As a result, energy deficiency might affect these organs the most.

5. DOES ATP BUILD MUSCLE?

Short answer: no. 

Long answer: You build muscle through resistance training and exercise, ATP helps.

When your body repairs or replaces the damaged muscle fibers after a workout, you build muscle. ATP provides the energy you need in order to train and build muscle.

When working out, you use the energy stored in your muscle cells. The cells can store ATP, energy, that lasts about 8-10 seconds during vigorous exercise.

Meaning, you’ll require more ATP than your body can provide.

Make sure to supplements your body's natural ATP levels, to increase energy and ultimately build lean muscle mass.

6. WHAT SUPPLEMENTS INCREASE ATP?

CREATINE

Creatine

Creatine is a scientifically proven supplement that helps increase ATP synthesis and production. It increases the phosphocreatine in your body, which is then used to make more ATP.

Creatine helps maximize strength, improve endurance, and support muscle gain.

While it occurs naturally in our bodies at a rate of 1-2 grams daily, it’s not enough for vigorous exercises.

Adding our odorless and flavorless Non-GMO Creatine Monohydrate to your workout routine will provide you with enough energy, help build lean muscle, and increase endurance.

“This creatine powder is great! It’s been helping with my training regiment for cycling. Easy to add to smoothies and can’t even tell you’ve added it (tasteless). Decided to give this product awhirl since I’ve been taking the probiotics for awhile. Really impressed with the quality of products.” ~ Andrew Lyne

NOOTROPIC MUSHROOMS

Shrooms: Four Mushroom Blend

Nootropic mushrooms are naturally occurring supplements that boost brain functions.

ATH Sport’s Shrooms are a blend of the most popular nootropic mushrooms. The blend comprises Cordyceps, Chaga, Maitake, and Lion’s Mane.

It combines the benefits of the four mushrooms to support your workout. They’re non-hallucinogenic and contain no psychoactive properties.

Together they:

• Help increase ATP production 
• Improve cognitive functions
• Improve oxygen utilization
• Help increase focus and mental clarity
• Boost memory
• Battle fatigue and brain fog

“This blend of athletic shrooms work really well to help me solve boulder problems. Accurate foot placements, balanced movement, and linking powerful sequences make or break a climber's success. I have noticed a clear difference between days where I forget to use the athletic shrooms, and the days when I do. When I use the athletic shrooms, I can easily maintain body tension while focusing on proper foot placement, while the opposite is true on the days where I forget to take these. Overall, sharper mind = success when your body is balanced on small edges and you need to get to the next hold.” ~ Andrew Baumgartel

7. WHAT IS THE BEST SOURCE OF ATP?

Super energy foods include:

• Meat, fish, and eggs are great sources of proteins. 
• Carbohydrates: High-fiber carbohydrates like brown rice, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal have complex carbs and nutrients that’ll boost your energy.
• Nuts such as almonds
• Vegetables and fruits such as spinach, apples, oranges, among others, are high in antioxidants and fruit sugar. You can make salads, fruit juice, smoothies or eat them raw.
• Dark chocolate and greek yogurt are excellent snacks for when you need to boost your energy levels fast.
• Fats: Avocados and salmon are great sources of healthy fats.
• Seeds such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds are rich in plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which are an excellent source of stored energy.
• Energy supplements like creatine.

8. WHAT GIVES YOU ENERGY FAST?

Sometimes when you need the energy to do something, low energy levels can drag you down. You can pump up the levels fast by:

9. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ATP LEVELS ARE HIGH?

High levels of ATP mean more energy to carry out various activities. The excess glucose and ATP are converted into glycogen and stored in the skeletal muscles and the liver.

The next time you carry out intense exercise and blood sugar drops, they convert glycogen to glucose to produce energy.

10. WHAT PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES USE ATP?

All physical activities use ATP. However, some, like intense exercises, burn more ATP than other light exercises.

ATP provides energy to myosin, the protein that converts chemical energy into movement. Every physical activity, no matter how small, uses ATP.

SUPPLEMENT YOUR ATP LEVELS FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE.

ATP is a crucial energy source for organisms, and without it, they can develop disorders and even die.

Exercising is one way of boosting your energy levels, but if your ATP concentrations are already low, you won’t have enough energy to work out. If you experience low energy when working out, you might want to supplement your energy levels to meet your fitness goals.

At ATH Sport, we have a Non-GMO Creatine Monohydrate ATP supplement that’ll not only boost your energy but also help you build lean muscle and increase muscle strength.

Our nootropic product, Shrooms, will help you increase ATP production, improve your cognitive functions, oxygen utilization, and improve mental clarity and focus.