Why is the respiratory quotient of fat low? The biochemical explanation
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                The average respiratory quotient (RQ) for fats is approximately 0.7, significantly lower than the 1.0 value for carbohydrates. This low RQ value for fats is a direct consequence of their unique chemical structure, which requires a much greater volume of oxygen for complete oxidation compared to the volume of carbon dioxide produced.