Category Archives: Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)

More on Dietary Thermogenesis

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Robert Barrington

The thermic effect of food and the thermic effect of exercise are often overlooked when energy balance is considered. Obesity is considered by many to be a simple balance between energy consumed and energy expended, but this does not take … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy Expenditure, Exercise, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Thermic Effect of Activity (TEA), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) | Comments Off on More on Dietary Thermogenesis

Calorie Counting: More Holes

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Calorie counting relies on the energy balance equation to explain body weight changes. Proponents of calorie counting claim that the change in body weight experienced by an individual is related solely to the amount of physical activity they perform, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy Expenditure, Exercise, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Thermic Effect of Activity (TEA), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Weight Loss | Comments Off on Calorie Counting: More Holes

Resting Metabolic Rate Increases With Body Weight

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the energy expended by the body at rest with the individual sitting or lying. In other words it is the energy required for normal metabolic and homeostatic regulation. The basal metabolic rate is similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Thermogenesis, Basal Metabolic Rate, Energy Expenditure, Obesity, Respiratory Exchange Ratio, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Thermic Effect of Activity (TEA), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Weight Loss | Comments Off on Resting Metabolic Rate Increases With Body Weight

Smoking and Body Weight

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Both smoking and obesity increase the risk of mortality. However, smoking is inversely related to body weight. This suggests that something about the act of smoking, or its associated behaviour may prevent weight gain. While smoking is bad for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Thermogenesis, Alcohol, Caffeine, Cigarettes, Energy Expenditure, Exercise, Nicotine, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Smoking, Thermic Effect of Activity (TEA), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Weight Loss | Comments Off on Smoking and Body Weight

Thermic Effect of Food: Glucose Versus Fructose

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The thermic effect of food (TEF) is defined as the energy used in the digestion, absorption, transport, metabolism and storage of macronutrients following a meal. This energy can be measured as a rise in body temperature. The thermic effect of … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy Expenditure, Fructose, Glucose, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Sucrose, Sugar, Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) | Comments Off on Thermic Effect of Food: Glucose Versus Fructose

The Compartments of Energy And The Energy Balance Fallacy

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The energy utilised by the body is liberated from a number of separate compartments and can be measured as heat. In reality, body heat is measured as one unit, but for theoretical purposes it is convenient to compartmentalise this heat … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Thermogenesis, Basal Metabolic Rate, Energy Expenditure, Exercise, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Thermic Effect of Activity (TEA), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Weight Loss | Comments Off on The Compartments of Energy And The Energy Balance Fallacy

Thermic Effect Of Food: Blunted In The Obese

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The hypothalamus controls a number of different mechanisms that allow it to oxidise fuels to produce heat. One such mechanisms is the heat produced by consumption of a meal. This rise in body temperature following consumption of food is termed … Continue reading →

Posted in Obesity, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Weight Loss | Comments Off on Thermic Effect Of Food: Blunted In The Obese

Do Obese Individuals Have Impaired Catecholamine Metabolism?

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The catecholamines adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine are produced from the non-essential amino acid L-tyrosine through a series of enzymatic reactions that are controlled by a rate limiting step catalysed by tyrosine hydroxylase. Catecholamines are important neurotransmitters in the brain that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adrenergic System, Catecholamines, Iron, L-tyrosine, Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Weight Loss | Comments Off on Do Obese Individuals Have Impaired Catecholamine Metabolism?

Does Drinking More Water Promote Weight Loss?

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Current recommendations amongst Western populations include advice to drink more water. However, the health effects of drinking excess water beyond prevention of dehydration are controversial. Studies substituting water for sugar sweetened beverages have shown health benefits in subjects, but other … Continue reading →

Posted in Coffee, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Tea, Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Water, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Does Drinking More Water Promote Weight Loss?

Cayenne Pepper And Protein For Weight Loss

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Forced calorie restriction is the current treatment for being overweight. The main problem with this approach however, is that it does not provide successful long term results. Initially, forced calorie restriction causes weight loss, but this has been shown to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Thermogenesis, Capsaicinoids, Energy Expenditure, Protein, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Thermic Effect of Activity (TEA), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Weight Loss | Comments Off on Cayenne Pepper And Protein For Weight Loss