Energy balance/nutrigenomics

Question 1

Why do humans use fat as the major energy storage form and not carbohydrates?

Answer 1

Fat holds about 33 KJ/g.
Carbohydrates bind a lot of water as storage and only holds 4KJ/g.
Fat is more dense i energy

Question 2

What is BMR?

Answer 2

Basal metabolic rate. The energy required for the work of vital functions:
o Maintenance of ionic equilibrium across cells
o Cell and protein turnover
o Respiratory and cardiovascular functions

Question 3

How much of the daily energy expenditure is BMR?

Answer 3

BMR is 60-75% of the total daily expenditure

Question 4

What are factors that determine the BMR?

Answer 4

height, gender and age.
Gender because woman has less lean body mass, which influences the BMR

Question 5

What are factors that can influence BMR?

Answer 5

Influenced by food intake and the amount of lean body mass. Temperature decrease, smoking and stress will result in a higher BMR

Question 6

What is NEAT?

Answer 6

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis.
Involves maintaining posture, fidgeting and activity during the day where you e.g. choose the bike over the bus, the stairs over the escalator

Question 7

What are some nutrients known to affect DNA methylation?

Answer 7

Folate, methionine, Betaine and choline

Question 8

Why is methionine important in epigenomics?

Answer 8

Methionine is the precursor of SAM, which is the methyl donor for DNA and histone methylation

Question 9

Low calorie intake during pregnancy can cause stable changes in the ____ of the offspring

Answer 9

DNA methylation

Question 10

True or False:
There is a higher chance of gaining weight when you are young (becoming obese)

Answer 10

True, the chance of becoming obese lowers with age

Question 11

What is EE?

Answer 11

Energy expenditure.
Both energy expended by the body (BMR) plus thermic effect of meals and energy expended on physical movements

Question 12

What is leptin?

Answer 12

Endocrine hormone produced in adipocytes. Regulate energy balance –> modulate appetite control.
High levels: signals to the brain about satiety and energy sufficiency
Low levels: Stimulates food intake

Question 13

What is the function of the hormone ghrelin?

Answer 13

Ghrelin is an appetite stimulating hormone. Levels are increased when the digestive system is more empty.