Nutr Res Pract.  2014 Jun;8(3):241-248.

Estimating free-living human energy expenditure: Practical aspects of the doubly labeled water method and its applications

• Park J
• Kazuko IT
• Kim E
• Kim J
• Yoon J

Abstract

The accuracy and noninvasive nature of the doubly labeled water (DLW) method makes it ideal for the study of human energy metabolism in free-living conditions. However, the DLW method is not always practical in many developing and Asian countries because of the high costs of isotopes and equipment for isotope analysis as well as the expertise required for analysis. This review provides information about the theoretical background and practical aspects of the DLW method, including optimal dose, basic protocols of two- and multiple-point approaches, experimental procedures, and isotopic analysis. We also introduce applications of DLW data, such as determining the equations of estimated energy requirement and validation studies of energy intake.

Keyword

Doubly labeled water; estimated energy requirement; energy intake

MeSH Terms

Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Energy Intake
Energy Metabolism*
Humans
Isotopes
Water*
Isotopes
Water

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Decline of 2H and 18O levels in total body water during a doubly labeled water experiment. TEE, total energy expenditure; FQ, food quotient.

• 

  Fig. 2 The time points of urine sampling and log-linear plot of isotope elimination in a two-point (A) and multiple-point (B) doubly labeled water (DLW) protocol. (A) On day 0, the 2H218O (DLW) dose was given orally to each subject after collecting a baseline urine sample. Additional urine samples should be collected at 3 and 4 h after the dose on day 0. On the final day of experimental period, the participant should provide the one more urine sample. The isotope elimination rates (kx) are calculated from the gradient of the isotope elimination curve. (B) On day 0, the 2H2 18O (DLW) dose is given orally to each subject after collecting baseline urine sample. After administration of this dose, the participants are requested to collect urine samples on the following day and at two additional sampling points at the same time of the day during the study period. In the two-point protocol (A), kx = ln(E2 / E1) / (t2 - t1) where E is the enrichment calculated as abundancex - abundancebaseline and t is the time interval after the dose administration. The subscripts 1 and 2 refer to the specimen, where 1 is the post-dose specimen and 2 is the final specimen. In the multi-point protocol (B), kx is the gradient of the linear regression line through the isotope elimination data.

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