Energy storage hierarchy in humans

Does the body store thermal energy?

The body is capable of storing chemical potential energy and thermal energy internally. Remembering that thermal energy is just the kinetic energy of atoms and molecules, we recognize that these two types of energy are stored microscopically and internal to the body.

How does the human body consume energy?

Like any other sophisticated device flooding our mainstream, the human body requires and consume energy in a similar way and understanding its inner-workings is essential. The human body carries out its main functions by consuming food and turning it into usable energy.

How do humans obtain energy?

Humans obtain energy from three classes of fuel molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. The potential chemical energy of these molecules is transformed into other forms, such as thermal, kinetic, and other chemical forms. Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are the major constituents of foods and serve as fuel molecules for the human body.

How does the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure determine energy stores?

The balance between energy intake and energy expenditure determines energy stores (Figure 2, upper panel). As living organisms must obey the first law of thermodynamics, the energy balance equation has been used to predict changes in body weight when energy intake or expenditure is changed.

Does body size affect resting energy expenditure in tall adults?

Heymsfield SB, Childers D, Beetsch J, Allison DB, Pietrobelli A. Body size and human energy requirements: reduced mass-specific resting energy expenditure in tall adults. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2007;103(5):1543–50.

How can a human body predict energy trajectories?

Testing this prediction (and others like it) in humans will require studies involving repeated quantitative measures of REE, TDEE, physical activity, functional capacities, body composition and a diverse set of protein and metabolite biomarkers to establish within-individual trajectories of energetic, functional and anatomical tradeoffs.