FoodEnergy = BMR + Exercise + Waste + DeltaWeight

[Guest guest]

The main emphasis of " Caloric Restriction " is to reduce calories, but

I think that it makes sense to review the complete energy balance

equation to see the interaction of all factors that affect CR.

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy is always

conserved, so the energy of the food that we eat (FoodEnergy) must

equal the energy that is burned through Basal Metabolism (BMR), burned

by exercise (Exercise) and stored as or lost as chemical energy

(DeltaWeight):

FoodEnergy = BMR + Exercise + Waste + DeltaWeight

Traditional CR tries to reduce FoodEnergy which generally results in

decreased BMR and loss of weight. However, it is possible to produce

a negative energy balance for the body by increasing exercise without

increasing FoodEnergy.

We normally don't discuss waste, but it cannot be neglected since it

is part of the equation. Like with exercise, a negative energy

balance can also be achieved by increasing waste. This can be done by

decreasing food transit time (as with laxatives) and by reducing the

ability of the intestine to absorb food (by adding fiber).

I am not advocating taking laxatives, but adding fiber is certainly an

option.

Tony

[Guest guest]

citpeks wrote:

>

> The main emphasis of " Caloric Restriction " is to reduce calories, but

> I think that it makes sense to review the complete energy balance

> equation to see the interaction of all factors that affect CR.

>

[snip]

>

> Traditional CR tries to reduce FoodEnergy which generally results in

> decreased BMR and loss of weight. However, it is possible to produce

> a negative energy balance for the body by increasing exercise without

> increasing FoodEnergy.

>

Tony, you might want to read what Roy Walford has to say about 'futile cycles'

in this regard. My unscientific impression is that while exercise makes one

healthier, and as part of a strategy to keep weight down, is generally a good

idea, this will mostly just 'square off the curve' of life expectancy. To extend

maximum lifespan, and make the curve go farther, it's mostly a question of

ingesting fewer calories, and maintaining adequate or optimal nutrition.

- pond

[Guest guest]

citpeks wrote:

>

> The main emphasis of " Caloric Restriction " is to reduce calories, but

> I think that it makes sense to review the complete energy balance

> equation to see the interaction of all factors that affect CR.

>

[snip]

>

> Traditional CR tries to reduce FoodEnergy which generally results in

> decreased BMR and loss of weight. However, it is possible to produce

> a negative energy balance for the body by increasing exercise without

> increasing FoodEnergy.

>

Tony, you might want to read what Roy Walford has to say about 'futile cycles'

in this regard. My unscientific impression is that while exercise makes one

healthier, and as part of a strategy to keep weight down, is generally a good

idea, this will mostly just 'square off the curve' of life expectancy. To extend

maximum lifespan, and make the curve go farther, it's mostly a question of

ingesting fewer calories, and maintaining adequate or optimal nutrition.

- pond