WLS MYTHS

[Guest guest]

I thought I would share this info with you guys and debunk a

populare WLS myth. Starvation Mode. I eat very little and yet my

weight loss stopped because of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. When I

asked my endocrinologist about consuming too few

calories " starvation mode " as the reason for decreased weight loss

he laughed at me because I still carry excess body fat. He said that

your body does not suffer " starvation mode until you deplete your

excess body fat. Calorie intake counts!!!

Caveat: This is my opinion based on my doctor's advice, his

credibility and belief system.

Robyn

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Starvation

Starvation results from the inadequate intake of nutrients or the

inability to metabolize or absorb nutrients. It can have a number of

causes such as prolonged fasting, anorexia, deprivation, or disease.

No matter what the cause, starvation takes about the same course and

consists of three phases. The events of the first two phases occur

even during relatively short periods of fasting or dieting, but the

third phase occurs only in prolonged starvation and can end in

death.

During the first phase of starvation, blood glucose levels are

maintained through the production of glucose from glycogen,

proteins, and fats. At first glycogen is broken down into glucose.

However, only enough glycogen is stored in the liver to last a few

hours. Thereafter, blood glucose levels are maintained by the

breakdown of proteins and fats. Fats are decomposed into fatty acids

and glycerol. Fatty acids can be used as a source of energy,

especially by skeletal muscle, thus decreasing the use of glucose by

tissues other than the brain. Glycerol can be used to make a small

amount of glucose, but most of the glucose is formed from the amino

acids of proteins. In addition, some amino acids can be used

directly for energy.

In the second stage, which can last for several weeks, fats are the

primary energy source. The liver metabolizes fatty acids into ketone

bodies that can be used as a source of energy. After about a week of

fasting, the brain begins to use ketone bodies, as wells as glucose,

for energy. This usage decrease the demand for glucose, and the rate

of protein breakdown diminishes but does not stop. In addition, the

proteins not essential for survival are used first.

*****READ*******The third stage of starvation begins when the fat

reserves are depleted and there is a switch to proteins as the major

energy source. Muscles, the largest source of protein in the body,

are rapidly depleted. At the end of this stage, proteins, essential

for cellular functions are broken down, and cell function

degenerates.

In addition to weight loss, symptoms of starvation include apathy,

listlessness, withdrawal, and increased susceptibility to infectious

disease. Few people die directly from starvation because they

usually die of some infectious disease first. Other signs of

starvation can include changes in hair color, flaky skin, and

massive edema in the abdomen and lower limbs, causing the abdomen to

appear bloated.

During the process of starvation, the ability of the body to consume

normal volumes of food also decreases.

Foods high in bulk but low in protein content often cannot reverse

the process of starvation. Intervention involves feeding the

starving person low-bulk food that provides ample proteins and kilo-

calories and is fortified with vitamins and minerals. The process of

starvation also results in dehydration, and dehydration is an

important part of intervention. Even with intervention, a victim may

be so affected by disease or weakness that he cannot recover.