STARVATION: Unveiling the facts within

Imagine a young boy, Ibrahim, sitting in a classroom, his tummy tense with hunger. He hasn't eaten since yesterday, and his vision is blurring as the teacher speaks. 

His hands tremble slightly, and a peculiar dizziness sets in. Ibrahim tries to concentrate, but his mind wanders to the last time he ate a full meal. 

Now, let's look at the science behind Ibrahim's body.

Photo credit: Rashidat Afolabi 

What Happens When You Starve? 

When you don't eat for a long time, your bodies go into survival mode. The first several hours without meals may seem like normal hunger, but as time passes, a complicated series of physiological changes begin to occur.

1. The Switch for Energy (0–6 hours): The body starts by burning glucose (sugar) from the last meal. If no new food enters, it begins to break down glycogen (stored sugar in the liver). 

2. The Breakdown of Fat (6–72 hours) :

When glycogen runs out, the body begins to burn fat for energy, producing ketones. This explains why some people on fasting diets feel energized at first.

3. Damage to Muscles and Organs (Beyond 72 hours): 

Desperate for energy, the body begins to break down organ and muscle structures. Confusion, lightheadedness, and even fainting result from a slowdown in brain activity. It becomes easier to get sick when the immune system deteriorates.

What Causes Some People to Shake During Starvation? 

Have you ever gone too long without eating and noticed that your hands were shaking? 

That is low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. The body panics when the brain isn't getting enough glucose. It causes the production of stress hormones including adrenaline, which can cause dizziness, anxiety, and trembling.

In extreme cases, long-term starvation has been reported to damage the brain, heart, and kidneys. If someone repeatedly undergoes starvation, they may generate permanent neurological issues, muscle wasting, or even organ failure.

Can Starvation Be Deadly?

Yes! When you suffer from chronic malnutrition, extreme dieting, eating disorders, or food insecurity you are at risk of long-term damage.

However, if you are suddenly given too much food after severe starvation, you can experience Refeeding Syndrome, a condition where your body is overwhelmed by sudden nutrients and reacts with fatal complications.

How Can You Prevent the Effects of Starvation?

• Choose balanced meals regularly, including proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates.
• Avoid extreme fasting or crash diets, as they can have long-term consequences.
• Listen to your body cues such as dizziness, weakness, and shaking are warning signs.
• Fund food programs and donate when you can. Many people, like Ibrahim, experience hunger daily.

What Are Your Thoughts?

Have you ever gone a long time without eating and felt weak or shaky? How did you recover? Let’s talk in the comments!

Drop your questions below! Have you ever tried fasting? What was your experience like? Let’s discuss and learn from each other!

CITATIONS 

Association of Diet With Essential Tremor: A Narrative Review - PMC

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9567235/

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Refeeding Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23228-refeeding-syndrome

Cryer, P. E. (1990). Hypoglycemia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Journal of Clinical Investigation. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2760207/

Glasø, M., Nordahl, H. M., Osnes, B., et al. (2006). Cognitive impairments in patients with anorexia nervosa. PubMed Central (PMC). Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16987161/

Hsu, T. M., et al. (2023). Starvation-Induced Changes in Insulin/IGF-1 Receptor Signaling and Their Long-Term Health Impact. Science Advances. Retrieved from https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ade1817