# Calories and weight gain/loss

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-and-weight-gain-loss/490180>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 20, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-and-weight-gain-loss/490180 "2009-03-20T16:23:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-and-weight-gain-loss/490180/41 "2009-03-23T16:45:43Z")

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> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#):
>
> The graphs on p. 1525 show near 100% absorption by the end of the intestines.

This question is probably heading in TMI territory, but does that mean that someone that ate nothing but lard & water would cease having bowel movements? Lard is pretty much 100% calories, and if the intestines have 100% calorie absorption, there should be nothing left at the end, right?

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-and-weight-gain-loss/490180/42 "2009-03-23T17:18:32Z")

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> [@YamatoTwinkie](#):
>
> This question is probably heading in TMI territory, but does that mean that someone that ate nothing but lard & water would cease having bowel movements? Lard is pretty much 100% calories, and if the intestines have 100% calorie absorption, there should be nothing left at the end, right?

You are never safe assuming that extremes act the same way as averages. It’s more likely that if you could get yourself to eat nothing but fat and water you’d have diarrhea.

Answers about the body rely on everyday conditions. Pathological conditions (diseases, injuries, drugs, single-food diets) are going to give you pathological answers.

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**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-and-weight-gain-loss/490180/43 "2009-03-24T04:02:28Z")

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> [@Bill\_Door](#):
>
> It took me 0.15 seconds. [Link](http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/68/3/599.pdf)

Thank you, that is a great link.

You are indeed faster than a speeding bullet.

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