How does the body deal with high levels of lactic acid?

When the body experiences high levels of lactic acid, particularly after intense exercise, it primarily converts lactic acid back into glucose in the liver through a process known as gluconeogenesis. This conversion is crucial because lactic acid can accumulate in the muscles and blood, leading to muscle fatigue and discomfort. The liver takes up the lactic acid from the bloodstream and transforms it back into glucose, allowing it to be either stored as glycogen or re-released into the bloodstream for energy use by other tissues. This mechanism helps to clear lactic acid from the body and restore normal biochemical function after intense activity.

In contrast, storing lactic acid in muscles or expelling it through urine are not effective ways to manage elevated levels since they wouldn't properly address the metabolic needs following strenuous exercise. Additionally, while it is true that the body does oxidize lactic acid for energy during lower intensity or prolonged activities, this is less of a direct response to high lactic acid levels compared to converting it into glucose, which is a more significant and controllable pathway for managing lactic acid buildup.