Use of the doubly labeled water method for measurement of energy expenditure, total body water, water intake, and metabolizable energy intake in humans and small animals

Abstract

The basis of the doubly labeled water method is measurement of the differential rates of disappearance of two isotopes of water (H218O and either 2H2O or 3H2O, administered at the start of the study) from body water. Published studies indicate that, in its current forms, this technique can be used to provide accurate and reasonably precise information on carbon dioxide production, total body water, and water intake in free-living humans and many small animals. Total energy expenditure can be calculated from carbon dioxide production with little loss of precision. Metabolizable energy intake can also be predicted, as the sum of total energy expenditure plus an estimate for the change in body energy stores during the measurement, but this prediction is unlikely to be accurate and precise unless the subject is in approximate energy balance.Key words: doubly labeled water, energy metabolism, energy expenditure, water intake, body composition.