Page 127 - GTM-4-3

Global Translational Medicine

LETTER TO EDITOR
Mass balance and energy balance in body

weight regulation: A response to Theodorakis’
comments

Anssi H. Manninen*

Department of Research and Development, Dominus Nutrition Oy, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland

Dear Editor,
I wish to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to Dr. Theodorakis for his interest in
1
my recent article and for taking the time to engage with its content through his letter to
the editor. Such scholarly dialog is invaluable in advancing our collective understanding
2
of complex topics like body weight regulation.
My article aims to introduce the core ideas of the mass balance model, a novel
paradigm for understanding body weight dynamics initially proposed by my esteemed
colleague, Dr. Arencibia-Albite. Given that my work builds directly upon this
3,4
foundation, I strongly encourage readers – particularly those intrigued by this approach
– to consult Dr. Arencibia-Albite’s comprehensive publications. These articles provide a
detailed exploration of the model’s intricacies, offering the depth and rigor necessary to
fully appreciate its theoretical and practical implications.
However, I must address a misinterpretation raised by Dr. Theodorakis, who suggests
that my research claims “energy balance has no impact on body mass,” calling this view
“scientifically inaccurate.” 2(p142) I respectfully note that this does not accurately reflect the
*Corresponding author: position presented in my paper. Rather than dismissing the role of energy balance, the mass
Anssi H. Manninen
(anssi@dominusnutrition.fi) balance model integrates and builds upon it by situating it within a broader context of mass
dynamics. My article does not deny the role of energy intake and expenditure in influencing
Citation: Manninen AH. Mass body mass. Instead, it posits that these energy-related processes ultimately exert their effects
balance and energy balance in
body weight regulation: A response through corresponding changes in mass input and output, as articulated by the mass balance
to Theodorakis’ comments. Global framework. This perspective complements – rather than contradicts – the energy balance
Transl Med. 2025;4(3):119-120. theory, positioning mass balance as a critical lens through which energy-related processes
doi: 10.36922/GTM025120029
can be more accurately understood in the context of weight stability and change.
Received: March 21, 2025
To clarify further, Dr. Arencibia-Albite’s study demonstrates that weight stability can
Accepted: June 11, 2025
coexist with a persistent energy imbalance – challenging the traditional assumption that
Published online: July 1, 2025 energy balance is the sole determinant of steady body weight. My study builds on this
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). insight, emphasizing that mass balance provides a unifying mechanism to explain such
This is an Open-Access article phenomena. The synergy between our contributions underscores the importance of
distributed under the terms of the reading both works together to fully appreciate the scope of the mass balance paradigm.
Creative Commons Attribution
License, permitting distribution, Finally, I am pleased to share that Dr. Arencibia-Albite is preparing a forthcoming
and reproduction in any medium, publication that will further refine the mass balance model and address common
provided the original work is
properly cited. misconceptions about its application. This upcoming work is expected to provide additional
clarity and resolve lingering questions, and I look forward to its contribution to the ongoing
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with discourse.
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional In closing, I appreciate Dr. Theodorakis’ engagement and welcome the opportunity
affiliations. for continued discussion on this topic. The complementary nature of my study and

Volume 4 Issue 3 (2025) 119 doi: 10.36922/GTM025120029