Respiratory quotient is the ratio of VCO2 and VO2:
RQ = CO2 eliminated/O2 consumed
Under typical metabolic conditions with stable respiratory function, the range of RQ in human metabolism is approximately 0.7 to 1.0. A value of 1.0 is consistent with pure carbohydrate oxidation, whereas a value of 0.7 is consistent with pure fat oxidation. [More…]