Food Intake as a Mechanism of Temperature Regulation*

Abstract

During the conduct of certain studies upon the regulation of energy exchange, two hypotheses have been adopted for testing by experiment. The first of these, viz., that the processes of energy exchange are integrated and regulated by the hypothalamus, has been presented elsewhere, together with data with which it appears to be in agreement (43). The second hypothesis is related to the first, and states that one of the bases upon which this integration is achieved is the effect which each of the four factors of energy exchange has upon body temperature regulation. According to this view, both food and work represent important sources of heat for the organism, and the amount of food eaten or muscular activity undertaken is determined in part by the animal's need for heat and its ability to lose heat to the environment.