Reply
Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Registered User CutMeUp562's Avatar
    Join Date: Jan 2005
    Posts: 52
    Rep Power: 234
    CutMeUp562 has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    CutMeUp562 is offline

    Efficiency Of The Human Body

    I was just wondering how efficient is the human body when it comes to consuming calories? Do we use up every calorie we take in or is some lost? 90%? 99%?

    It's funny that I never really thought about this until I watched some show about elephants and how poorly they really digest their food (well its mostly roughage anyways).
    Reply With Quote

  2. #2
    Big Face CREW mingo3403's Avatar
    Join Date: Apr 2008
    Location: United States
    Age: 38
    Posts: 4,404
    Rep Power: 3192
    mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500) mingo3403 is a glorious beacon of knowledge. (+2500)
    mingo3403 is offline
    I think if we started to debate about it, companies would use it to sell some type of crap.

    I'm guessing maybe 90% while on a deficit? Then i think it changes drastically if on a surplus.

    "buy this and make your body digest less and lose weight!"

    I can see it already lol
    Reply With Quote

  3. #3
    Registered User Brad155's Avatar
    Join Date: Sep 2009
    Age: 32
    Posts: 11,179
    Rep Power: 5685
    Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000) Brad155 is a name known to all. (+5000)
    Brad155 is offline
    Originally Posted by mingo3403 View Post
    I think if we started to debate about it, companies would use it to sell some type of crap.

    I'm guessing maybe 90% while on a deficit? Then i think it changes drastically if on a surplus.

    "buy this and make your body digest less and lose weight!"

    I can see it already lol

    they already have those, there called fat blockers and carb blockers, or both.

    and id say on a deficit, the body is extremely efficient. probably close to 100% efficiency, but if you randomly go out and eat 10,000 calories, then the body just doesnt have the necessary digestive enzymes to absorb all of that, and efficiency would be very low. for a typical bulk, id say the body is 90-95% efficient
    Reply With Quote

  4. #4
    nevigsawkufelgnisaton in10city's Avatar
    Join Date: Oct 2005
    Location: New York, United States
    Posts: 24,222
    Rep Power: 34133
    in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000) in10city has much to be proud of. One of the best! (+20000)
    in10city is offline
    Originally Posted by CutMeUp562 View Post
    I was just wondering how efficient is the human body when it comes to consuming calories? Do we use up every calorie we take in or is some lost? 90%? 99%?

    It's funny that I never really thought about this until I watched some show about elephants and how poorly they really digest their food (well its mostly roughage anyways).
    There are definitely losses from the second something goes into your mouth that will vary depending upon the food in question. What's left after accounting for digestive losses is the metabolizable energy. And then you can further knock off heat of fermentation, obligatory and non-obligatory thermogenesis to get to what is actually left as usable by your body. For fiber it can be down to 0 - 2 kcal/g, protein down to 3 kcal/g, etc...

    Heat of combustion / gross energy -> digestible energy -> metabolizable energy -> net metabolizable energy -> net energy
    It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
    Reply With Quote

  5. #5
    A Wizard. CashmereKermit's Avatar
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Posts: 644
    Rep Power: 1892
    CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000) CashmereKermit is just really nice. (+1000)
    CashmereKermit is offline
    It would vary from person to person, we are all different and it would also depend on the health of their digestive system.
    Reply With Quote

Similar Threads

  1. does the human body have lifting limits?
    By shivastorm in forum Teen Bodybuilding
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 10-16-2005, 06:06 PM
  2. Facts about the human body
    By Power-Quest in forum Over Age 35
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 01-01-2005, 01:55 AM
  3. Learn The Muscle Actions Of The Human Body
    By The_Cleric in forum Exercises
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-02-2004, 07:18 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts