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Energy Balance

Energy Balance

The human body gets energy from the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Energy is released when the chemical bonds in the organic compounds present in the food are broken down. The energy content of food is measured in kilocalories (kcal), defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. This value is determined by measuring the temperature change of the water surrounding a calorimeter after the complete...

Energy Budgets and Reproductive Strategies

Energy Budgets and Reproductive Strategies

Organisms must balance energy intake with the energy required for growth, maintenance, and reproduction. These trade-offs result in a variety of survivorship and reproductive strategies, including semelparity and iteroparity. Semelparous species reproduce only once in their lifetime, often investing most available resources into that single reproductive event. Iteroparous species, by contrast, reproduce multiple times over their lifetimes, typically allocating fewer resources to any single...

Regulation of Food Intake

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...

Fats as Energy Storage Molecules

Fats as Energy Storage Molecules

Triglycerides are a form of long-term energy storage molecules. They are made of glycerol and three fatty acids. To obtain energy from fat, triglycerides must first be broken down by hydrolysis into their two principal components, fatty acids and glycerol. This process, called lipolysis, takes place in the cytoplasm. The resulting fatty acids are oxidized by β-oxidation into acetyl-CoA, which is used by the Krebs cycle. The glycerol that is released from triglycerides after lipolysis directly...

Fats as Energy Storage Molecules

Fats as Energy Storage Molecules

Triglycerides are a form of long-term energy storage molecules. They are made of glycerol and three fatty acids. To obtain energy from fat, triglycerides must first be broken down by hydrolysis into their two principal components, fatty acids and glycerol. This process, called lipolysis, takes place in the cytoplasm. The resulting fatty acids are oxidized by β-oxidation into acetyl-CoA, which is used by the Krebs cycle. The glycerol that is released from triglycerides after lipolysis directly...

Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State

Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State

The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

Meal replacements and energy balance.

Steven B Heymsfield¹

¹Clinical Research, Metabolism, Merck Research Laboratories 126 E. Lincoln Avenue PO Box 2000, RY34A-A238 Rahway, NJ 07065-0900, United States.

Physiology & Behavior

|March 3, 2010

Summary

Beverage meal replacements are an effective and safe tool for weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. Further research is needed to determine which patients benefit most from these comprehensive weight control programs.

Area of Science:

Nutrition science
Obesity research
Clinical nutrition

Background:

Weight loss requires a sustained negative energy balance.
Beverage meal replacements are increasingly used to achieve this.
Historical development and clinical use are reviewed.

Purpose of the Study:

To trace the history of beverage meal replacements.
To review studies on their clinical efficacy.
To examine safety concerns.

Main Methods:

Literature review of historical development.
Analysis of key clinical studies.
Examination of safety data.

Main Results:

Beverage meal replacements have evolved as a clinical tool.

More Related Videos

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

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Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

Evidence supports their efficacy in achieving negative energy balance.

Current data suggest they are safe for clinical use.

Conclusions:

Beverage meal replacements are an effective and safe component of weight management.
Further research should identify patient subgroups who benefit most.
Personalized approaches are needed for optimal weight control programs.