thermic effect of food


Also found in: Dictionary, Acronyms, Wikipedia.

thermic effect of food

,

TEF

The increase in the body's metabolic rate that is produced by the consumption, digestion, metabolism, and storage of food. Foods with relatively low thermic effects include most carbohydrates, since carbohydrates, esp. sugars, cost the body relatively little energy to digest and metabolize. Protein-rich meals have a higher TEF, which is the rationale for low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins and South Beach diets. Synonym: specific dynamic action of food.
Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners
Mentioned in ?
References in periodicals archive ?
Seals, "Thermic effect of food and [beta]-adrenergic thermogenic responsiveness in habitually exercising and sedentary healthy adult humans," Journal of Applied Physiology, vol.
Thermogenic effect of glucose in hypothyroid subjects
This observation could be mediated by a reduced sympathetic nervous activity [34], reduced thermic effect of food [35], or a reduction in resting metabolic rate associated with a reduced body weight.
Ramadan and its effect on fuel selection during exercise and following exercise training
UCLA dietitian Dana Ellis, RD, explains that proteins have a higher thermic effect of food (TEF) than carbohydrates, meaning that the body requires more energy to process protein than carbohydrates.
High-protein meals may help you burn fat faster: research indicates that overweight eaters see more fat-burning benefits than their leaner counterparts
Kang (College of New Jersey) describes energy metabolism during physical activities and sports, exercise strategies for enhancing energy utilization, cellular adaptations to aerobic training, altered energy metabolism due to diabetes and obesity, and the thermic effect of food. The early chapter on regulation of energy metabolism discusses pancreatic and adrenal hormones, but not the thyroid.
Bioenergetics primer for exercise science

Medical browser ?
Full browser ?