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Quantitative Physiology of Human Starvation: Adaptations of Energy Expenditure, Macronutrient Metabolism and Body Composition

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Comparative Physiology of Fasting, Starvation, and Food Limitation

Abstract

Complex metabolic adaptations occur during human starvation. Metabolic rate decreases, energy stores are mobilized, fuel utilization shifts from carbohydrate toward fat and ketone oxidation, and body fat and lean tissue mass are lost. A mechanistic computational model of human metabolism and body composition change has recently been developed to simulate the dynamic coordination of these physiological adaptations. This chapter describes the integrative physiology of human starvation using illustrative computer simulations along with real data from prolonged fasting experiments.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Kevin D. Hall

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  1. Kevin D. Hall
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Correspondence to Kevin D. Hall .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Biological Sciences, St. Mary's University, One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, 78228-8511, Texas, USA

    Marshall D. McCue

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Hall, K.D. (2012). Quantitative Physiology of Human Starvation: Adaptations of Energy Expenditure, Macronutrient Metabolism and Body Composition. In: McCue, M. (eds) Comparative Physiology of Fasting, Starvation, and Food Limitation. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29056-5_22

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