Altitude and energy expenditure - PaleoHacks.com most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-05-19T14:29:09Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/156468 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/156468/altitude-and-energy-expenditure Altitude and energy expenditure carly 2012-10-18T04:17:47Z 2012-10-18T18:26:57Z <p>Is energy expenditure actually greater at a higher altitude? Obviously physical exertion is more challenging due to lower oxygen concentration, but does that translate to increased caloric needs for the same activities? I'm originally a lowlander now living in the high Rockies at around 9000ft (been here for the last year and some). This is something I've been curious about lately as my appetite is clearly greater living here than it was at sea level. </p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/156468/altitude-and-energy-expenditure/156476#156476 Answer by Alvaro for Altitude and energy expenditure Alvaro 2012-10-18T06:38:20Z 2012-10-18T06:38:20Z <p>I think there is an increase in caloric expenditure due to the decrease in temperature. Your metabolism works harder maintaining your body temp.</p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/156468/altitude-and-energy-expenditure/156479#156479 Answer by dmi for Altitude and energy expenditure dmi 2012-10-18T06:44:00Z 2012-10-18T06:44:00Z <p>Interesting observation, I've had the same experience when going in the mountains. The natives in the mountains usually say that the air increases your appetite.</p> <p>The answer is that the basal metabolic rate increases between 6 and 28% <a href="http://jap.physiology.org/content/16/3/431.abstract" rel="nofollow">http://jap.physiology.org/content/16/3/431.abstract</a></p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/156468/altitude-and-energy-expenditure/156583#156583 Answer by Diane for Altitude and energy expenditure Diane 2012-10-18T18:26:57Z 2012-10-18T18:26:57Z <p>A lot of things change in your body at altitude. You even create more red blood cells. Your body is making all kinds of changes and compensations and this has to have an effect on energy expenditure even at rest. Until you acclimatize and it becomes your new normal.</p>