Elves don't get fat, here's my hypothesis why

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Have you ever seen a fat Elf?
I haven't, and I think there's an unexpected reason.



You see, Elves aren't really the best workers or at least working the land and cultivating food is not something they do. There isn't such thing as Bob the elf farmer with 14 children which he forces to work on the farm.



Elves are powerful mages, they teach the art of using magic and creating powerful artifacts to humans in exchange of money.
Therefore elves don't consume much energy during the day, and also most Elves are nobles.



Only in the past few centuries meat became industrialized, but before meat used to be something only fishermen, hunters and nobles ate... the rest of the population were farmers who didn't have the money to eat meat more than once in a blue moon.



But nobles were usually filthy rich, which means they could buy any type of greasy food, for example beef is 54% fat by kilocalories or a steak sits at around 64%. That's why nobles and kings were usually overweight.



Does it means that Elves were just fitness addicts who paid a lot of attention to their health? Probably not, at the time there were no gyms and nobody knew anything about nutrition. I have a better theory, that Elves simply don't have fat cells.



IF my theory was right, how would it be possible for elves to survive without any fat cell in their body?










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  • I'm waiting for someone to say Santa Claus. Oh, wait... :)
    – Tumbislav
    4 hours ago






  • 4




    More seriously, no subcutaneous fat means no (or restricted) lipid energy storage, only carbohydrates. Glycogen is 6x less efficient per volume for storing energy than fat, so no long-lasting strenuous activity for your elves. Aragorn and Gimli get to Rohan, but Legolas collapses about two hours into the run.
    – Tumbislav
    3 hours ago







  • 1




    @Tumbislav, please don't post answers as comments.
    – Separatrix
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    I have another theory: their social norm stipulates noble reserve and restraint instead of gluttony. They just don't stuff their pie holes until nothing more fits in them like human nobles did.
    – Elmy
    2 hours ago






  • 3




    @Tumbislav "You have my axe!" "And my bow! ... assuming I can lift it this time... it's so gosh darn heavy."
    – Neil
    1 hour ago














up vote
6
down vote

favorite












Have you ever seen a fat Elf?
I haven't, and I think there's an unexpected reason.



You see, Elves aren't really the best workers or at least working the land and cultivating food is not something they do. There isn't such thing as Bob the elf farmer with 14 children which he forces to work on the farm.



Elves are powerful mages, they teach the art of using magic and creating powerful artifacts to humans in exchange of money.
Therefore elves don't consume much energy during the day, and also most Elves are nobles.



Only in the past few centuries meat became industrialized, but before meat used to be something only fishermen, hunters and nobles ate... the rest of the population were farmers who didn't have the money to eat meat more than once in a blue moon.



But nobles were usually filthy rich, which means they could buy any type of greasy food, for example beef is 54% fat by kilocalories or a steak sits at around 64%. That's why nobles and kings were usually overweight.



Does it means that Elves were just fitness addicts who paid a lot of attention to their health? Probably not, at the time there were no gyms and nobody knew anything about nutrition. I have a better theory, that Elves simply don't have fat cells.



IF my theory was right, how would it be possible for elves to survive without any fat cell in their body?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Eries is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.



















  • I'm waiting for someone to say Santa Claus. Oh, wait... :)
    – Tumbislav
    4 hours ago






  • 4




    More seriously, no subcutaneous fat means no (or restricted) lipid energy storage, only carbohydrates. Glycogen is 6x less efficient per volume for storing energy than fat, so no long-lasting strenuous activity for your elves. Aragorn and Gimli get to Rohan, but Legolas collapses about two hours into the run.
    – Tumbislav
    3 hours ago







  • 1




    @Tumbislav, please don't post answers as comments.
    – Separatrix
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    I have another theory: their social norm stipulates noble reserve and restraint instead of gluttony. They just don't stuff their pie holes until nothing more fits in them like human nobles did.
    – Elmy
    2 hours ago






  • 3




    @Tumbislav "You have my axe!" "And my bow! ... assuming I can lift it this time... it's so gosh darn heavy."
    – Neil
    1 hour ago












up vote
6
down vote

favorite









up vote
6
down vote

favorite











Have you ever seen a fat Elf?
I haven't, and I think there's an unexpected reason.



You see, Elves aren't really the best workers or at least working the land and cultivating food is not something they do. There isn't such thing as Bob the elf farmer with 14 children which he forces to work on the farm.



Elves are powerful mages, they teach the art of using magic and creating powerful artifacts to humans in exchange of money.
Therefore elves don't consume much energy during the day, and also most Elves are nobles.



Only in the past few centuries meat became industrialized, but before meat used to be something only fishermen, hunters and nobles ate... the rest of the population were farmers who didn't have the money to eat meat more than once in a blue moon.



But nobles were usually filthy rich, which means they could buy any type of greasy food, for example beef is 54% fat by kilocalories or a steak sits at around 64%. That's why nobles and kings were usually overweight.



Does it means that Elves were just fitness addicts who paid a lot of attention to their health? Probably not, at the time there were no gyms and nobody knew anything about nutrition. I have a better theory, that Elves simply don't have fat cells.



IF my theory was right, how would it be possible for elves to survive without any fat cell in their body?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Eries is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











Have you ever seen a fat Elf?
I haven't, and I think there's an unexpected reason.



You see, Elves aren't really the best workers or at least working the land and cultivating food is not something they do. There isn't such thing as Bob the elf farmer with 14 children which he forces to work on the farm.



Elves are powerful mages, they teach the art of using magic and creating powerful artifacts to humans in exchange of money.
Therefore elves don't consume much energy during the day, and also most Elves are nobles.



Only in the past few centuries meat became industrialized, but before meat used to be something only fishermen, hunters and nobles ate... the rest of the population were farmers who didn't have the money to eat meat more than once in a blue moon.



But nobles were usually filthy rich, which means they could buy any type of greasy food, for example beef is 54% fat by kilocalories or a steak sits at around 64%. That's why nobles and kings were usually overweight.



Does it means that Elves were just fitness addicts who paid a lot of attention to their health? Probably not, at the time there were no gyms and nobody knew anything about nutrition. I have a better theory, that Elves simply don't have fat cells.



IF my theory was right, how would it be possible for elves to survive without any fat cell in their body?







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  • I'm waiting for someone to say Santa Claus. Oh, wait... :)
    – Tumbislav
    4 hours ago






  • 4




    More seriously, no subcutaneous fat means no (or restricted) lipid energy storage, only carbohydrates. Glycogen is 6x less efficient per volume for storing energy than fat, so no long-lasting strenuous activity for your elves. Aragorn and Gimli get to Rohan, but Legolas collapses about two hours into the run.
    – Tumbislav
    3 hours ago







  • 1




    @Tumbislav, please don't post answers as comments.
    – Separatrix
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    I have another theory: their social norm stipulates noble reserve and restraint instead of gluttony. They just don't stuff their pie holes until nothing more fits in them like human nobles did.
    – Elmy
    2 hours ago






  • 3




    @Tumbislav "You have my axe!" "And my bow! ... assuming I can lift it this time... it's so gosh darn heavy."
    – Neil
    1 hour ago
















  • I'm waiting for someone to say Santa Claus. Oh, wait... :)
    – Tumbislav
    4 hours ago






  • 4




    More seriously, no subcutaneous fat means no (or restricted) lipid energy storage, only carbohydrates. Glycogen is 6x less efficient per volume for storing energy than fat, so no long-lasting strenuous activity for your elves. Aragorn and Gimli get to Rohan, but Legolas collapses about two hours into the run.
    – Tumbislav
    3 hours ago







  • 1




    @Tumbislav, please don't post answers as comments.
    – Separatrix
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    I have another theory: their social norm stipulates noble reserve and restraint instead of gluttony. They just don't stuff their pie holes until nothing more fits in them like human nobles did.
    – Elmy
    2 hours ago






  • 3




    @Tumbislav "You have my axe!" "And my bow! ... assuming I can lift it this time... it's so gosh darn heavy."
    – Neil
    1 hour ago















I'm waiting for someone to say Santa Claus. Oh, wait... :)
– Tumbislav
4 hours ago




I'm waiting for someone to say Santa Claus. Oh, wait... :)
– Tumbislav
4 hours ago




4




4




More seriously, no subcutaneous fat means no (or restricted) lipid energy storage, only carbohydrates. Glycogen is 6x less efficient per volume for storing energy than fat, so no long-lasting strenuous activity for your elves. Aragorn and Gimli get to Rohan, but Legolas collapses about two hours into the run.
– Tumbislav
3 hours ago





More seriously, no subcutaneous fat means no (or restricted) lipid energy storage, only carbohydrates. Glycogen is 6x less efficient per volume for storing energy than fat, so no long-lasting strenuous activity for your elves. Aragorn and Gimli get to Rohan, but Legolas collapses about two hours into the run.
– Tumbislav
3 hours ago





1




1




@Tumbislav, please don't post answers as comments.
– Separatrix
2 hours ago




@Tumbislav, please don't post answers as comments.
– Separatrix
2 hours ago




1




1




I have another theory: their social norm stipulates noble reserve and restraint instead of gluttony. They just don't stuff their pie holes until nothing more fits in them like human nobles did.
– Elmy
2 hours ago




I have another theory: their social norm stipulates noble reserve and restraint instead of gluttony. They just don't stuff their pie holes until nothing more fits in them like human nobles did.
– Elmy
2 hours ago




3




3




@Tumbislav "You have my axe!" "And my bow! ... assuming I can lift it this time... it's so gosh darn heavy."
– Neil
1 hour ago




@Tumbislav "You have my axe!" "And my bow! ... assuming I can lift it this time... it's so gosh darn heavy."
– Neil
1 hour ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

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up vote
2
down vote













Separatrix admonishes, I obey.



Fat or adipose tissue carries out some very important functions, so if the elves are anything like humans—or like any sort of mammals—they need fat to survive. Long term energy storage is just one thing, but fat also produces hormones, contributes to thermoregulation and other good stuff.



You know that friend of yours, the one that can eat anything and never seems to put on a gram (or an ounce, depending on location)? Well, that friend just has slightly different levels of hormones that regulate the synthesis and storage of lipids, the lucky bum! Mayhap your elves are just genetically predisposed in that direction?






share|improve this answer





























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Elves do not get fat because they really cannot EAT more calories than the amount they burn. And I mean they eat really really caloric dense food. Remeber lembas? It's the most caloric dense food that elves can consume. Of course for other races it's not filling and becuase something like "calories" don't exist they could eat many lembas breads and get fat.



    To put that in some sort of sizes. Human could eat 12 oz steak with a side of potatoes and veggies. While Elf could only eat a sirloin the size of a palm and just couldn't stuff more. Their stomach are adjusted to eating small rations, rarely and with high caloric count.

    Now for some pseudo science to back it all up a little. We know that insulin is secreted after you eat. We also know that growth hormone is spiking up when insulin level are going down after a meal. From that we can say that Elves consumption is tied to how they look in general. Rare meal allows them to be so tall because growth hormone is secreted in much larger quantity.

    What happen if you try to stuff small elves with smaller portions but just more frequent? You get humans. Not so tall and much more muscular and FAT.



    That's why Elves are nobles and see don't like humans in general. They know that this what happen if you try to fight with tradition.






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      As you say, Elves are powerful mages. They are intrinsically, and instinctively magic. Thus, they need energy stores to convert to Mana for their spells.



      But, rather than storing their excess energy as fat on the outside of their bodies, they may be using some magical storage mechanism - perhaps an internal organ that functions as a biological "bag of holding" for so long as the Elf is alive. So, they do have fat cells, they are just not somewhere that they can be seen.



      This is similar to why some "naturally skinny" people have higher cholesterol than average. Cholesterol is a form of fat that is stored inside the veins and arteries - this means it is not visible like "normal" fat on the outside. If you have 2 people with the same body fat, but one of them stores most of it as cholesterol (and the other as normal adipose tissue), then they will look slimmer and "healthier" - but actually be less healthy, with a higher risk of heart disease.






      share|improve this answer




















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        up vote
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        down vote













        Separatrix admonishes, I obey.



        Fat or adipose tissue carries out some very important functions, so if the elves are anything like humans—or like any sort of mammals—they need fat to survive. Long term energy storage is just one thing, but fat also produces hormones, contributes to thermoregulation and other good stuff.



        You know that friend of yours, the one that can eat anything and never seems to put on a gram (or an ounce, depending on location)? Well, that friend just has slightly different levels of hormones that regulate the synthesis and storage of lipids, the lucky bum! Mayhap your elves are just genetically predisposed in that direction?






        share|improve this answer


























          up vote
          2
          down vote













          Separatrix admonishes, I obey.



          Fat or adipose tissue carries out some very important functions, so if the elves are anything like humans—or like any sort of mammals—they need fat to survive. Long term energy storage is just one thing, but fat also produces hormones, contributes to thermoregulation and other good stuff.



          You know that friend of yours, the one that can eat anything and never seems to put on a gram (or an ounce, depending on location)? Well, that friend just has slightly different levels of hormones that regulate the synthesis and storage of lipids, the lucky bum! Mayhap your elves are just genetically predisposed in that direction?






          share|improve this answer
























            up vote
            2
            down vote










            up vote
            2
            down vote









            Separatrix admonishes, I obey.



            Fat or adipose tissue carries out some very important functions, so if the elves are anything like humans—or like any sort of mammals—they need fat to survive. Long term energy storage is just one thing, but fat also produces hormones, contributes to thermoregulation and other good stuff.



            You know that friend of yours, the one that can eat anything and never seems to put on a gram (or an ounce, depending on location)? Well, that friend just has slightly different levels of hormones that regulate the synthesis and storage of lipids, the lucky bum! Mayhap your elves are just genetically predisposed in that direction?






            share|improve this answer














            Separatrix admonishes, I obey.



            Fat or adipose tissue carries out some very important functions, so if the elves are anything like humans—or like any sort of mammals—they need fat to survive. Long term energy storage is just one thing, but fat also produces hormones, contributes to thermoregulation and other good stuff.



            You know that friend of yours, the one that can eat anything and never seems to put on a gram (or an ounce, depending on location)? Well, that friend just has slightly different levels of hormones that regulate the synthesis and storage of lipids, the lucky bum! Mayhap your elves are just genetically predisposed in that direction?







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 1 hour ago

























            answered 1 hour ago









            Tumbislav

            44627




            44627




















                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Elves do not get fat because they really cannot EAT more calories than the amount they burn. And I mean they eat really really caloric dense food. Remeber lembas? It's the most caloric dense food that elves can consume. Of course for other races it's not filling and becuase something like "calories" don't exist they could eat many lembas breads and get fat.



                To put that in some sort of sizes. Human could eat 12 oz steak with a side of potatoes and veggies. While Elf could only eat a sirloin the size of a palm and just couldn't stuff more. Their stomach are adjusted to eating small rations, rarely and with high caloric count.

                Now for some pseudo science to back it all up a little. We know that insulin is secreted after you eat. We also know that growth hormone is spiking up when insulin level are going down after a meal. From that we can say that Elves consumption is tied to how they look in general. Rare meal allows them to be so tall because growth hormone is secreted in much larger quantity.

                What happen if you try to stuff small elves with smaller portions but just more frequent? You get humans. Not so tall and much more muscular and FAT.



                That's why Elves are nobles and see don't like humans in general. They know that this what happen if you try to fight with tradition.






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote













                  Elves do not get fat because they really cannot EAT more calories than the amount they burn. And I mean they eat really really caloric dense food. Remeber lembas? It's the most caloric dense food that elves can consume. Of course for other races it's not filling and becuase something like "calories" don't exist they could eat many lembas breads and get fat.



                  To put that in some sort of sizes. Human could eat 12 oz steak with a side of potatoes and veggies. While Elf could only eat a sirloin the size of a palm and just couldn't stuff more. Their stomach are adjusted to eating small rations, rarely and with high caloric count.

                  Now for some pseudo science to back it all up a little. We know that insulin is secreted after you eat. We also know that growth hormone is spiking up when insulin level are going down after a meal. From that we can say that Elves consumption is tied to how they look in general. Rare meal allows them to be so tall because growth hormone is secreted in much larger quantity.

                  What happen if you try to stuff small elves with smaller portions but just more frequent? You get humans. Not so tall and much more muscular and FAT.



                  That's why Elves are nobles and see don't like humans in general. They know that this what happen if you try to fight with tradition.






                  share|improve this answer






















                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    Elves do not get fat because they really cannot EAT more calories than the amount they burn. And I mean they eat really really caloric dense food. Remeber lembas? It's the most caloric dense food that elves can consume. Of course for other races it's not filling and becuase something like "calories" don't exist they could eat many lembas breads and get fat.



                    To put that in some sort of sizes. Human could eat 12 oz steak with a side of potatoes and veggies. While Elf could only eat a sirloin the size of a palm and just couldn't stuff more. Their stomach are adjusted to eating small rations, rarely and with high caloric count.

                    Now for some pseudo science to back it all up a little. We know that insulin is secreted after you eat. We also know that growth hormone is spiking up when insulin level are going down after a meal. From that we can say that Elves consumption is tied to how they look in general. Rare meal allows them to be so tall because growth hormone is secreted in much larger quantity.

                    What happen if you try to stuff small elves with smaller portions but just more frequent? You get humans. Not so tall and much more muscular and FAT.



                    That's why Elves are nobles and see don't like humans in general. They know that this what happen if you try to fight with tradition.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Elves do not get fat because they really cannot EAT more calories than the amount they burn. And I mean they eat really really caloric dense food. Remeber lembas? It's the most caloric dense food that elves can consume. Of course for other races it's not filling and becuase something like "calories" don't exist they could eat many lembas breads and get fat.



                    To put that in some sort of sizes. Human could eat 12 oz steak with a side of potatoes and veggies. While Elf could only eat a sirloin the size of a palm and just couldn't stuff more. Their stomach are adjusted to eating small rations, rarely and with high caloric count.

                    Now for some pseudo science to back it all up a little. We know that insulin is secreted after you eat. We also know that growth hormone is spiking up when insulin level are going down after a meal. From that we can say that Elves consumption is tied to how they look in general. Rare meal allows them to be so tall because growth hormone is secreted in much larger quantity.

                    What happen if you try to stuff small elves with smaller portions but just more frequent? You get humans. Not so tall and much more muscular and FAT.



                    That's why Elves are nobles and see don't like humans in general. They know that this what happen if you try to fight with tradition.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 17 mins ago









                    SZCZERZO KŁY

                    14.7k22244




                    14.7k22244




















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        As you say, Elves are powerful mages. They are intrinsically, and instinctively magic. Thus, they need energy stores to convert to Mana for their spells.



                        But, rather than storing their excess energy as fat on the outside of their bodies, they may be using some magical storage mechanism - perhaps an internal organ that functions as a biological "bag of holding" for so long as the Elf is alive. So, they do have fat cells, they are just not somewhere that they can be seen.



                        This is similar to why some "naturally skinny" people have higher cholesterol than average. Cholesterol is a form of fat that is stored inside the veins and arteries - this means it is not visible like "normal" fat on the outside. If you have 2 people with the same body fat, but one of them stores most of it as cholesterol (and the other as normal adipose tissue), then they will look slimmer and "healthier" - but actually be less healthy, with a higher risk of heart disease.






                        share|improve this answer
























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          As you say, Elves are powerful mages. They are intrinsically, and instinctively magic. Thus, they need energy stores to convert to Mana for their spells.



                          But, rather than storing their excess energy as fat on the outside of their bodies, they may be using some magical storage mechanism - perhaps an internal organ that functions as a biological "bag of holding" for so long as the Elf is alive. So, they do have fat cells, they are just not somewhere that they can be seen.



                          This is similar to why some "naturally skinny" people have higher cholesterol than average. Cholesterol is a form of fat that is stored inside the veins and arteries - this means it is not visible like "normal" fat on the outside. If you have 2 people with the same body fat, but one of them stores most of it as cholesterol (and the other as normal adipose tissue), then they will look slimmer and "healthier" - but actually be less healthy, with a higher risk of heart disease.






                          share|improve this answer






















                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            As you say, Elves are powerful mages. They are intrinsically, and instinctively magic. Thus, they need energy stores to convert to Mana for their spells.



                            But, rather than storing their excess energy as fat on the outside of their bodies, they may be using some magical storage mechanism - perhaps an internal organ that functions as a biological "bag of holding" for so long as the Elf is alive. So, they do have fat cells, they are just not somewhere that they can be seen.



                            This is similar to why some "naturally skinny" people have higher cholesterol than average. Cholesterol is a form of fat that is stored inside the veins and arteries - this means it is not visible like "normal" fat on the outside. If you have 2 people with the same body fat, but one of them stores most of it as cholesterol (and the other as normal adipose tissue), then they will look slimmer and "healthier" - but actually be less healthy, with a higher risk of heart disease.






                            share|improve this answer












                            As you say, Elves are powerful mages. They are intrinsically, and instinctively magic. Thus, they need energy stores to convert to Mana for their spells.



                            But, rather than storing their excess energy as fat on the outside of their bodies, they may be using some magical storage mechanism - perhaps an internal organ that functions as a biological "bag of holding" for so long as the Elf is alive. So, they do have fat cells, they are just not somewhere that they can be seen.



                            This is similar to why some "naturally skinny" people have higher cholesterol than average. Cholesterol is a form of fat that is stored inside the veins and arteries - this means it is not visible like "normal" fat on the outside. If you have 2 people with the same body fat, but one of them stores most of it as cholesterol (and the other as normal adipose tissue), then they will look slimmer and "healthier" - but actually be less healthy, with a higher risk of heart disease.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 11 mins ago









                            Chronocidal

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