How Fat leaves the Body

Fat leaves the body primarily through a process called oxidation. In reality, the body stores the excess protein or carbs in a person's diet in the form of fat, specifically as triglyceride molecule, which consist of just three kinds of atoms: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

How Fat gets converted to energy

1. When the body needs energy, it breaks down fat / triglyceride molecules into their component parts, which are then transported to the cells via the bloodstream where they can be used as a source of energy

2. When a triglyceride / fat molecule is oxidized (or "burned up"), the process consumes many molecules of oxygen while producing carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) as waste products.

3. The carbon dioxide is then exhaled through the lungs, and the water is either used by the body or excreted through urine or sweat.

This means that the majority of fat that is lost from the body is actually exhaled as carbon dioxide.

If you lose 10 pounds of fat, precisely 8.4 pounds comes out through your lungs and the remaining 1.6 pounds turns into water (based on an individual study).

So if fat turns into carbon dioxide, could simply breathing more make you lose weight?

Unfortunately not. Huffing and puffing more than you need to is called hyperventilation and will only make you dizzy, or possibly faint. The only way you can consciously increase the amount of carbon dioxide your body is producing is by moving your muscles.

It is important to note that while exercise and physical activity can help the body burn fat, weight loss is ultimately a result of a calorie deficit, where the body burns more calories than it takes in through food and drink. So, if you want to lose fat, you will need to create a calorie deficit either through diet, exercise, or a combination of both.

MANA can help you lose fat through exercising and mindful eating. Book a consultation call with us to know more.