What will happen if we stopped eating?
Science is all about questioning the simplest of things. Now what will happen if we actually stopped eating?
In the first 6 hours,all will fairly be normal. Our body will start to break it down to glycogen which stores energy in our body, and then to glucose which our cells use as fuel. Around 25% of the energy thus generated is used by our brain alone while the rest goes to muscle tissues and red blood cells. But,after six hours,this method of energy production will slowly come to a halt because the glycogen will start depleting ,which can lead to the notorious 'hungry' and a feeling of anger. From 6-72 hours,our body will enter a state called ketosis as it begins to starve. Because of very less glucose in our blood,our body must begin to break down fat for energy.
This fat will in turn be broken into fatty acids. However,our brain cannot use long chain fatty acids! Oh no,this is a problem! Wait,since there is no more glucose and the fats are too large to cross the brain-blood barrier,our brain will start changing moods and will start using ketone bodies for energy,which are short - chain derivates of fatty acids.
This works for the time being,but mostly,only 75% of the brain's energy requirements can come from ketones. Glucose is still needed! So,the cognitive function becomes impaired. Beyond 72 hours,not only will our mood and energy suffer,but our brain might start to break down the protein present in our body. The proteins usually release amino acids which will be converted to glucose - which is going to be amazing for the brain,but bad for the body! Basically,the body starts cannibalising itself by destroying our muscle mass.
Bone density will start diminishing. Within a few weeks,the body's immune system will be so weakened without any vitamins or minerals,that many will soon die from some or the other disease. Otherwise,it will continue using up all energy sources until there is no glucose,fat or muscle mass left. One of the most common causes of death is cardiac arrythmia or heart attack due to tissue degradation in diaphragm,heart and body. This condition is more common in those suffering from anorexia. Obviously,the body experiences severe organ failure all around.
In the first 6 hours,all will fairly be normal. Our body will start to break it down to glycogen which stores energy in our body, and then to glucose which our cells use as fuel. Around 25% of the energy thus generated is used by our brain alone while the rest goes to muscle tissues and red blood cells. But,after six hours,this method of energy production will slowly come to a halt because the glycogen will start depleting ,which can lead to the notorious 'hungry' and a feeling of anger. From 6-72 hours,our body will enter a state called ketosis as it begins to starve. Because of very less glucose in our blood,our body must begin to break down fat for energy.
This fat will in turn be broken into fatty acids. However,our brain cannot use long chain fatty acids! Oh no,this is a problem! Wait,since there is no more glucose and the fats are too large to cross the brain-blood barrier,our brain will start changing moods and will start using ketone bodies for energy,which are short - chain derivates of fatty acids.
This works for the time being,but mostly,only 75% of the brain's energy requirements can come from ketones. Glucose is still needed! So,the cognitive function becomes impaired. Beyond 72 hours,not only will our mood and energy suffer,but our brain might start to break down the protein present in our body. The proteins usually release amino acids which will be converted to glucose - which is going to be amazing for the brain,but bad for the body! Basically,the body starts cannibalising itself by destroying our muscle mass.
Bone density will start diminishing. Within a few weeks,the body's immune system will be so weakened without any vitamins or minerals,that many will soon die from some or the other disease. Otherwise,it will continue using up all energy sources until there is no glucose,fat or muscle mass left. One of the most common causes of death is cardiac arrythmia or heart attack due to tissue degradation in diaphragm,heart and body. This condition is more common in those suffering from anorexia. Obviously,the body experiences severe organ failure all around.
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