How long do effects of food take on your overall body?

[CoolStuff]

How long does it take to take effect? I know some things can give you gas right away, but what I'm talking about is muscle/body fat. I definitely notice some days I have a lower body fat than others.

I walk the same amount of time everyday, so the exercise isn't changing, only the food (though the food isn't changing much either). Maybe i'll start keeping notes.

[groove88]

and does anyone know how long it takes minerals and vitamins to become effective?

[Addict]

I've wondered about this too.

How are you measuring your body fat though?

[NotesMaeve]

Hm hm hm. You may just be experiencing water weight, m'dear. Body fat does not change that quickly. A lb. of fat is 3500 calories, so at best, working your butt off, you're losing .5 a day.

As far as effects of healthier eating: I notice the effects, whether it's reducing sugar or adding vitamins and whole grains or whatever in roughly a week. I've noticed over the past four weeks I've cut down so much on junk and I'm not really craving chocolate anymore. Weird, huh?

[Matthew Shea]

I agree with NotesMaeve, sounds like water weight. If you're using a scale that measures body fat, the amount of water in your body can have a big effect on the measurement. Dry-vs-wet skin and numerous other things will affect it, too. If this is the case, the best thing is to do the measurement at the same time of day under the same circumstances to make it as consistent as possible.

Personally, it takes me a couple weeks to really get used to a diet change. Patience is definitely a virtue, there.

[CoolStuff]

What's water weight? I try to stay hydrated the same amount every day. Often my piss is clear, that's how I try to keep it.

Originally Posted by Addict

I've wondered about this too.

How are you measuring your body fat though?

I can just feel it by grabbing at my gut and touching it. So maybe it's not body fat, but it definitely feels like it.

It will change on any given day, usually going for about 2 days in a row, so maybe it is water weight.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by CoolStuff

so maybe it is water weight.

Water comprises 50 to 70 per cent of an adult's total body weight... and many factors are involved in water retention in the body... therefore, rapid changes (done in a matter of days) are due mainly to the fluctuation in water retention...

BTW CoolStuff... piss is also known as urine...
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[CoolStuff]

^ I know. are we not allowed to say piss or something?

So then what is this water retention? How is it fluctuating so much if I'm keeping myself pretty much equally hydrated everyday.

[stephencp]

Many things can have an instant effect affect on your body.
For instance sugar and alcohol are pretty much immediate. I would imagine many chemicals can get right into your bloodstream and therefor your body.
Fat, on the other hand is a fairly slow mover. I takes awhile for your body to break down and it takes awhile for it to be stored.
Being "hydrated" is good, however how much water you are retaining can vary widely depending upon the above chemicals. For example, alcohol and caffiene are both diuretics and you will LOSE body/water weight vs thinking you are "hydrating".

Stephen

The Internet Largest Free Give Away Ever - ****************************

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by CoolStuff

^ I know. are we not allowed to say piss or something?

So then what is this water retention? How is it fluctuating so much if I'm keeping myself pretty much equally hydrated everyday.

To make a long story short... water is retained in the body by what are called "electrolytes" which are particles of salts... mainly "sodium" (table salt) and "potassium."

Now the potassium retains water inside the cells of the body... and potassium retains water in the spaces between the cells...

When the amount of electrolytes is correctly regulated by the kidneys and the intake is adequate... we have ideal water distribution...

However, our hormones also play an important role in water retention... especially in women...

So, when our body functions within adequate conditions or homeostasis... the amount of fluid retained is ideal... however, when our physiology is thrown out of kilter... we can experience fluid loss or fluid retention...

Hope this sheds a little light on the subject...
.

[CoolStuff]

physiology meaning what? I assume electrolytes and kidneys will change that?

I guess it could be hormones. I'm not a female but I'm not past 21 yet so I'm still going thru puberty.

so what does it mean? I've been trying to eat healthy. When I have the lower body fat I assume that means my body is doing a better job. I don't drink alcohol or coffee.

[Matthew Shea]

What the other posters are trying to say is that minor fluxuations of a couple pounds a day in water retention are normal and are really nothing to worry about. If you have a healthy diet and your weight is basically consistent you should be fine.

It should also be noted that the amount of waste stored in your bowels can fluxuate, too. Right before you have a bowel movement, you're probably going to feel a bit bloated, as most people do. The best way to keep that in check is to get plenty of fiber and include yogurt with active cultures in your diet.

[NotesMaeve]

Your weight will fluctuate. Most people do by five lbs. Mine fluctuates by an average of three lbs. because I'm relatively slim. If you're very heavy, it may fluctuate by as much as ten. There's nothing wrong with you.

Originally Posted by CoolStuff

physiology meaning what? I assume electrolytes and kidneys will change that?

I guess it could be hormones. I'm not a female but I'm not past 21 yet so I'm still going thru puberty.

so what does it mean? I've been trying to eat healthy. When I have the lower body fat I assume that means my body is doing a better job. I don't drink alcohol or coffee.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by CoolStuff

physiology meaning what?

Physiology is "body chemistry..."

It is extremely complex and works through a "feed back" mechanism... when a "need" is perceived by the body... a signal will be sent to compensate and affect "homeostasis" which the range into which the body works best...

Homeostasis works like a thermostat... when too cold... it will demand heat... and when too hot... it will turn down the heat...

Hope this helps a little in understanding how te body works...
.

[medaille]

Shamou,

Could you clarify this?

Now the potassium retains water inside the cells of the body... and potassium retains water in the spaces between the cells...

I would assume that you meant one of them as sodium rather than potassium. I'm just curious which one is which.

thanks.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by medaille

Shamou,

Could you clarify this?



I would assume that you meant one of them as sodium rather than potassium. I'm just curious which one is which.

thanks.

A particle or "electrolyte" has "pulling" or "retaining" power...

So, the potassium goes inside the cells and keep the water there... while the sodium stays outside the cell and keeps some water there also...

When the two are balanced... we have homeostasis (optimum condition) when we don't we usually feel thirsty...
.

[CoolStuff]

It would be nice to be able to control those times with lower body fat though i haven't measured anything, but I can definitely feel it.

The past 3 days it's been low body fat. I ate healthy the days before that. Yesterday I ate a lot of meat, we'll see in a few days what i feel like.

I guess how about this: If you eat mcdonalds all day one day, with little to no change in your exercise routine (say you ran 30 minutes that day), obviously you would feel it instantly your stomach up in knots and everything. But after that day, would there be any effects later?

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by CoolStuff

But after that day, would there be any effects later?

Probably not if you do it only one day... but if you do it often enough... hardening of the arteries will be lurking on the sideline... along with eventual heart attack... which remains the number one killer...

Here a little excerpt from, "Yahoo Shopping" that you may enjoy reading...

"Experts such as Jane Brody, and author and personal health columnist for the New York Times, define junk food and comment on the need for immediate gratification, moodiness caused by excess sugar, and how an improper diet, or “trashing” yourself, can be a reflection of low self-esteem."
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