Calories
The calorie theory
basically states that every calorie worth of energy eaten is either used
as energy or stored as fat. It is important to note that a calorie is a
unit of energy (like an inch is a unit of length) and is not a
substance. The calorie theory comes from the second law of
thermodynamics. If our body worked like a furnace burning coal, then the
calorie theory would have to be true. A scientist named Adolph Fick
proved in 1893 that living cells cannot be heat engines.1
This means that the laws of thermodynamics do not apply to the human
body, a chemical “machine.” Some claim that protein-based diets contain
less calories, which is why they work. Actually, proteins are high in
calories. In a study conducted at Harvard University, some participants
ate only carbs, while other participants ate twice as many calories of
only protein. Although the protein eaters ate twice as many calories as
the carb eaters, they didn't gain any weight, whereas the carb eaters
gained weight despite eating fewer calories.2 If the calorie
theory was correct it would have to work every time, no exceptions….it
doesn't.
An important thing to
remember is, it's not the amount of calories eaten, it’s the content of
the calories. If we eat foods that will be used for energy and body
structure, like proteins and natural fats, we do NOT have to worry about
getting fat. On the other hand, if we load up on carbs, which are not
used for building the body structure, the body must release insulin to
treat the excess sugar from the carbs and then will ultimately store
this sugar as fat.
1. Hans Krebs,
with Roswitha Schmid, Otto Warburg: Cell Physiologist, Biochemist, and
Eccentric, (New York: Clarendon Press - Oxford University Press, 1981).
2. “Study:
Low-Carb Dieters Can Eat More,” [directed by Penelope Greene, Harvard
School of Public Health], The Houston Chronicle (14 October 2003), p.
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