Nature produces almost always foods that provide only a single source of energy. It is either sugars (carbohydrate) based, or fats (lipid) based. Animals in general consume one main type of food based on seasonal availability. This is true even in the case of meat-eating animals since meat is mainly fats and protein but no carbohydrates. It is very possible that this factor of not mixing energy sources in the diet allows for a low BFP “Body Fat Percentage” which allows our distant cousins to remain fit. Which makes sense since being fit improves the chances of survival in a natural environment. This does not seem to apply to us human beings for some reasons…
Category: Physiology
Physiology
Almost all animals have a healthy BFP…
An elephant, a hippopotamus, a gorilla, a horse, a salmon fish, a chicken, a tiger, a cat, a dog and a very long list of animals regardless of size, shape, weight, foods and natural habitat are all generally fit. If we assume that the BFP or “Body Fat Percentage” is a meaningful measure of being overweight, then accordingly a range in the 20% or below is healthy. Well interestingly those animals easily fit into that range. Furthermore, none of them follow diet plans nor do they suffer a natural food restriction plan. Meaning that they eat as much and as often as they can or want. Even the foods that they eat vary widely from being plants, grains, fish, or meats and they can weigh tons or a few kilos and be huge or slim but in general terms they are fit. Would it not be wonderful if it were the same case for us humans ?
THERMOGENESIS
“Thermogenesis is the process of heat production in organisms. It occurs in all warm-blooded animals, and also in a few species of thermogenic plants such as the Eastern skunk cabbage, the Voodoo lily (Sauromatum venosum), and the giant water lilies of the genus Victoria. The lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium americanum, disperses its seeds explosively through thermogenesis.[1]”* *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermogenesis
BASAL METABOLIC RATE (BMR)
“The body’s generation of heat is known as thermogenesis and it can be measured to determine the amount of energy expended. BMR generally decreases with age, and with the decrease in lean body mass (as may happen with aging). Increasing muscle mass has the effect of increasing BMR. Aerobic (resistance) fitness level, a product of cardiovascular exercise, while previously thought to have effect on BMR, has been shown in the 1990s not to correlate with BMR when adjusted for fat-free body mass.”* *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_metabolic_rate
LEPTIN – the appetite hormone
“Leptin (from Greek λεπτός leptos, “thin” or “light” or “small”) is a hormone predominantly made by adipose cells and its primary role is likely to regulate long-term energy balance.[6] As one of the major signals of energy status, leptin levels influence appetite, satiety, and motivated behaviors oriented towards the maintenance of energy reserves (e.g., feeding, foraging behaviors).”* Leptin infulences the appetite in that it indicates the amount of fat stored in the body. This information assits the brain in determining how much and what type of nutriton is required to maintain sufficient reserves based on estimated needs. Leptin and Ghrelin together have a combined effect on our overall appetite and hunger feelings. *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptin
GHRELIN – the hunger hormone
” Ghrelin (/ˈɡrɛlɪn/; or lenomorelin, INN) is a hormone produced by enteroendocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the stomach,[5][6] and is often called a “hunger hormone” because it increases the drive to eat.[6] Blood levels of ghrelin are highest before meals when hungry, returning to lower levels after mealtimes.[6][7] Ghrelin may help prepare for food intake[6][8] by increasing gastric motility and stimulating the secretion of gastric acid.[6] “* Chrelin influences hunger which is one of the key elements that affects our diets. It can be either positivly or negatively depending on our needs and also depending on a properly functioning endoctrine system. It shares the task of managing our food intake with another hormone called Leptin. *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghrelin
BFP – Body Fat Percentage
“The body fat percentage (BFP) of a human or other living being is the total mass of fat divided by total body mass, multiplied by 100; body fat includes essential body fat and storage body fat. Essential body fat is necessary to maintain life and reproductive functions. The percentage of essential body fat for women is greater than that for men, due to the demands of childbearing and other hormonal functions. Storage body fat consists of fat accumulation in adipose tissue, part of which protects internal organs in the chest and abdomen. A number of methods are available for determining body fat percentage, such as measurement with calipers or through the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis.”* There are various ways to estimate BFP and one of the simplest is to divide the circumfrence of the waist measured 3 cm above the belly button by the height. An acceptable result is 1/2 the height of the person. A result above 0.5 is indicative of having excess fat. *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage
BMI – Body Mass Index
“Body mass index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass (weight) and height of a person. The BMI is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height, and is expressed in units of kg/m2, resulting from mass in kilograms and height in metres.”* It’s purpose is basically used to determine if we are underweight <20, normal weight between 20 and 25 or overweight above 25. It is a rule of thumb and does not take into consideration other factors such as how much of the weight is fat or structural such as a thin boned or heavy boned body or muscle mass which can siginifcantly impact the interpretation of the results. Someone who is very musclular will have a high BMI and it can be considered healthy for example. It is good to know ones BMI as it can be combined with other measurements such as the Body Fat Percentage BFP to determine a more accurate and personalised weight condition and to determine nutrtional and dietary plans. At the below link you can find more detailed information… *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index