Introduction
The article titled “Majority of weight loss occurs ‘via breathing’” by The BMJ reports the findings of a study conducted by researchers from the University of New South Wales, which indicates that most weight loss occurs via breathing. The authors of the study, Prof. Andrew Brown and Ruben Meerman, followed the path of atoms leaving the body and found that when 10 kg of fat were oxidized, 8.4 kg were converted and excreted as carbon dioxide (CO2) via the lungs, and 1.6 kg became water (H20). The authors calculated that 29 kg of oxygen must be inhaled for 10 kg of human fat to be oxidized, with oxidation producing 28 kg of CO2 and 11 kg of H20.
Analysis of Article Findings
These findings strongly support the idea that weight loss occurs via breathing, as most fat is converted into carbon dioxide and exhaled from the body via the lungs. The study explains how this process works, with excess dietary carbohydrates and protein being converted to triglycerides, which are then metabolized through oxidation (McIntosh, 2014). The author’s calculations show that the lungs are the primary excretory organ for weight loss. The H20 produced by oxidation departs the body in urine, feces, breath, and other bodily fluids (Werner, 2021).
Furthermore, the authors note that the carbon lost through exhalation is only replaced by consuming food and beverages such as fruit juice, milk, and soft drinks. This agrees with the claim that weight loss occurs via breathing, as it suggests that the carbon exhaled during weight loss results from the breakdown of triglycerides derived from excess dietary carbohydrates and protein.
In addition, the article’s authors do not downplay the importance of exercise in weight loss. Instead, they emphasize creating a calorie deficit through diet and exercise (McIntosh, 2014). The authors suggest that exercise can be a valuable tool for increasing the carbon lost through breathing. However, they caution that unhealthy eating can easily offset it (McIntosh, 2014). Therefore, they recommend a balanced “eating less and moving more” approach for effective weight loss.
Conclusion
Overall, this study’s findings provide strong evidence that weight loss happens primarily through respiration, as most fat is transformed into carbon dioxide and expelled through the lungs. The authors’ calculations illustrate this mechanism, showing that excess carbohydrates and proteins from the diet are converted into triglycerides, which are broken down through oxidation. This study highlights the importance of including these concepts in secondary school science and university biochemistry courses to correct widespread misconceptions about weight loss.
References
McIntosh, J. (2014). The majority of weight loss occurs “via breathing.”MedicalNewsToday. Web.
Werner, D. (2021). The illuminated breath. Victory Belt Publishing.