Caloric Absorption??

Swilla_Swole
Swilla_Swole Posts: 333 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I was wondering about what percentage of calories does our body really absorb and process versus what percent becomes excrement?

Replies

  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    you're thinking too much
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    you're thinking too much

    That's what I'm thinking.
  • Kotuliak
    Kotuliak Posts: 259 Member
    I was wondering about what percentage of calories does our body really absorb and process versus what percent becomes excrement?
    Here is a good overview - http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/79/5/899S.full - with references if you want more detail.

    Bottom line, the modern calorie rating is based on "metabolizable calories" rather than "gross calories," and it is by its very nature somewhat imprecise, but within such a narrow range that it does not diminish its practical usefulness.
  • Kotuliak
    Kotuliak Posts: 259 Member
    Uneducated, non-science answer here. A calorie is a unit of energy, therefore "calories" in and of themselves are not excreted, but are actually consumed during the process of waste elimination. Waste, not energy, is eliminated.
    Based on the article I mentioned above, I believe this is incorrect. Waste contains certain percentage of the nutrients we consume, which do not get processed by the metabolic processes, but which get excreted. Those calories (energy) get eliminated without becoming part of the energy input.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Uneducated, non-science answer here. A calorie is a unit of energy, therefore "calories" in and of themselves are not excreted, but are actually consumed during the process of waste elimination. Waste, not energy, is eliminated.
    Based on the article I mentioned above, I believe this is incorrect. Waste contains certain percentage of the nutrients we consume, which do not get processed by the metabolic processes, but which get excreted. Those calories (energy) get eliminated without becoming part of the energy input.

    Like I said, non-science musing. But I would think that the amount of calories eliminated through waste elimination is insignificant for weight loss purposes.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    People looking for an excuse to eat more?
  • Hannah_Hopes
    Hannah_Hopes Posts: 273 Member
    you're thinking too much
  • Swilla_Swole
    Swilla_Swole Posts: 333 Member
    you're thinking too much

    Perhaps, but I was curious to know just how much percentage wise calories are processed into energy. I guess this was more of an academic question.
    People looking for an excuse to eat more?

    Not at all. For me it's all about efficiency.
  • Swilla_Swole
    Swilla_Swole Posts: 333 Member
    Uneducated, non-science answer here. A calorie is a unit of energy, therefore "calories" in and of themselves are not excreted, but are actually consumed during the process of waste elimination. Waste, not energy, is eliminated.
    Based on the article I mentioned above, I believe this is incorrect. Waste contains certain percentage of the nutrients we consume, which do not get processed by the metabolic processes, but which get excreted. Those calories (energy) get eliminated without becoming part of the energy input.

    I appreciate that. I agree with that.
  • jstout365
    jstout365 Posts: 1,686 Member
    You may also enjoy reading this article on the energy equation. It doesn't talk too much about waste elimination, but can fill in more of the picture:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-energy-balance-equation.html
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    I don't' know but peanuts and corn would have to be on a different scale if past experience is to be taken into account.
  • Swilla_Swole
    Swilla_Swole Posts: 333 Member
    You may also enjoy reading this article on the energy equation. It doesn't talk too much about waste elimination, but can fill in more of the picture:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-energy-balance-equation.html

    Great read as well, thanks!
    I don't' know but peanuts and corn would have to be on a different scale if past experience is to be taken into account.

    My point exactly, lol.
  • spider06c
    spider06c Posts: 67 Member
    bump
  • Oi_Sunshine
    Oi_Sunshine Posts: 819 Member
    I don't' know but peanuts and corn would have to be on a different scale if past experience is to be taken into account.

    Corn?!? I dont remember corn...

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