fevers and burning more calories question

[Tallchick]

I have (or had, the pills have kicked in) sinusitis and bronchitis. Sounds like a song title, don't you think?
I wonder, when one is sweating and feverish from the infection, does one more calories than not having a fever? I want some kind of prize for feeling so awful.
Thank you.

 

[melodygirl]

This sounds like a rationale I would try to make.:+

I don't know the answer, but know it's just crappy to be sick.

Hope you feel better soon {{{{{HUGS}}}}}.

 

[Tallchick]

Thank you Melody, your get well is just what I need!

 

[CurlyQ]

I believe that is where the saying "feed a fever, starve a cold" comes from. It makes sense that if your core temp is higher than normal then you'd burn more calories. I know that when the weather is hot we burn more calories than when it's cooler, so a fever would have the same effect.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Miss Lee]

Kate, you cack me up!:7 :7

I'm glad to see that you're able to maintain a sense of humor in your current state of distress. I hope you feeling better very soon.

:* :*

 

[Tallchick]

I didn't realize that the hotter it is outside, the more calories we burn. Hmmm, not hating those 100 degree days now.
Thank you Michele. I am just sick of being sick.

 

[melodygirl]

Kate,

Would a chocolate frosted donut help? I just made some. But don't go to the chinup check-in and tell Briee I was willing to share with you.;-)

 

[allwildgirl]

Here's what I found:

Fever
For every increase of 0.5°C (32.9°F) in body temperature, BMR increases by approximately 7 percent. For example, if someone has a fever of 42°C (107.6°F), s/he would have an increase in metabolic rate of 50 percent. The reason for this is that chemical reactions in the body occur more quickly at higher temperatures.

 

[Tallchick]

I would say okay to the chocolate donut except I am on that darn good eating challenge. Who had the nerve to start that anyway? Wait, I did, I must have already been sick before I actually had a fever.
So, if the metabolism goes up with a fever than darn, I want to have a fever more often. Hmmmm.....I suppose I could stop washing my hands. There must be a better way.....

 

[melodygirl]

Hey Kate - get some sleep already:+

BTW I hope your fever does not reach 107F as mentioned in Shelley's post. It's not worth burning the calories, as I am pretty sure you'd actually burn.

ETA: My DSs ate all the donuts anyway.

 

[stephanied]

Hello there
I'll add my 2 cents!
I'm a dietitian working in acute care, and the research shows that muscle does increase BMR, but it burns muscle instead of fat, which is why sick people in hospital with infection lose weight,and recovery is slow.
Take it easy, eat good protein, and watch total calories, what we do in hospital is something called permissive underfeeding, to trick the immune system, so lower total calories, more protein calories.
Feel better
steph

 

[Tallchick]

thank you Steph, sound like a plan!