Sport Thermogenic Effect?

[RedT]

I understand that not all calories are created equal, but it the "thermogenic effect" real?

I have a hard time beleiving that 1/3 of all my protein intake is burned up just being processed by my body yet fat just coasts on through.


Any info is appreciated as I really don't understand this, and it sounds like a diet-of-the-week promotion to me. A firend on Atkins was trying to sell this to me, but Atkins eat a lot of fat too . . .

 

[malkore]

Yes its true, but its not exactly a 'miracle solution' to fat loss.
yes, protein takes more energy (calories) to digest, especially when carb intake is low enough that the body is utilizing ketogenesis to get usable energy out of protein and stored fat.
problem is you spend too much time in ketosis, and you'll have too negative an impact on your health. that's why Atkins has a cycle where carb intake changes.

the bigger issue with Atkins is that all the fat they eat can be bad on the heart and circulatory system. skinny people have heart attacks all the time.

eating fat doesn't make you fat, too many calories makes you fat...regardless of their source. its easier to convert carbs to stored fat because a sugar or starch carb is just stored energy to begin with.

so, in conclusion, yes protein has a more thermogenic effect being digested than carbs...but thats not the reason that 'low carb' or 'carb cycling' diets work so well. they work because you limit intake of potential energy (carbs) and substitute with protein and fat, to get the body to burn stored energy (bodyfat).

of course the best way to do this is a clean, balanced diet of whole foods with very little processing, coupled with some aerobic exercise and resistance/strength training. you don't even have to be hardcore about it...people don't usually try hard to put on extra fat...it takes months/years of casual snacking and second helpings.