GLOSSARY

Phosphorylation is addition of a phosphate group to a molecule.

Phosphorylation adds phosphate and dephosphorylation removes it, altering signaling or metabolism according to the molecule. Substrate-level ATP formation transfers phosphate directly, while oxidative formation uses membrane machinery and a gradient. The shared phosphorylation name does not mean identical enzymes or conditions. Normal phosphate functions do not establish extra dietary phosphate requirements for every workout or guarantee that a supplement increases cellular ATP formation independently of fuel and regulation.

ATP links energy transfer to cellular work and must be continually regenerated during activity. Existing stores do not sustain prolonged work; phosphocreatine, glycolysis and oxidative processes contribute to renewal. ADP and AMP belong to the adenylate network rather than being mere waste. One nucleotide's amount is not total food calories or stored fuel volume. Continuous turnover matters more than imagining a large isolated ATP tank powering an entire session.

For example, when comparing an easy session with hard training, record preceding food, duration, intensity, sampling time and recovery conditions together. A changed number or an activated pathway alone does not justify changing the diet; practical decisions must remain connected to the training goal, individual tolerance and actual performance trend.

Proton-motive force includes concentration and electrical differences across a membrane, not pH alone. Controlled proton return couples to ATP synthesis; some fuel energy becomes heat rather than usable ATP. Chemiosmosis explains this relationship. Nutrition does not aim to manipulate membrane permeability or maximize gradients with an untested product. Integrity and regulation matter, and a mechanistic explanation does not establish safety or performance benefit from substances advertised as mitochondrial uncouplers or boosters.