Energy balance
During the initial phase of severe caloric restriction, the majority of rapid body weight loss is due to water loss rather than fat or protein oxidation, resulting in a significantly lower caloric equivalent per kg of weight lost.
When you start a strict low-calorie diet, expect to lose weight faster than your calorie math predicts in the first week. This is largely water, not just fat. Do not be discouraged if the rate slows down after the first few days; the fat loss rate is likely more constant than the total weight loss suggests.
a large part of the loss derived from energy balance and nitrogen excretion, indicated that a large part of the loss was due to water. During the first few days of restriction the caloric equivalent of the loss was about 3000 Cal/kg... to 8700 Cal/kg during the last days of restriction.
Why this rating
Controlled clinical experiment with direct metabolic measurements (nitrogen, oxygen consumption) and precise caloric control.
Source
<i>Changes in Body Weight and Body Dimensions in Men Performing Work on a Low Calorie Carbohydrate Diet</i>
John Brozek et al. · Journal of Applied Physiology · 1957
DOI 10.1152/jappl.1957.10.3.412
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