There are many people who do not eat because they want to fast or lose weight. It is a myth that you can get fit if you are hungry. You cannot lose weight in one day and so you need some fruits and vegetables which can help you to lose weight. If you do not eat any food you can get sick and your body can be deficient in many minerals and vitamins. Being hungry can increase your body’s risk of infection. This happens because your immune system weakens and your muscles start to deteriorate. Hungry ketosis is a process of excessive fasting. In this process fatty acids are replaced by glucose as the primary source of fuel in the body. Let’s find out what is the effect of hungry ketosis on your body.
What is hungry ketoacidosis?
We spoke to dietitian Mrs. Chanda Verma to understand the metabolic state of this process. He said that ketoacidosis is a metabolic condition associated with high levels of ketones in the blood. Ketones are responsible for breaking down fatty acids for energy use. This is usually done when there are no or few carbohydrates. Hunger ketoacidosis occurs when the body does not get enough glucose as its primary source of energy. People fall for this condition for the following reasons-
- Economic reasons
- Types of eating disorders
- Difficulty swallowing
- Cancer
There is also a condition of mild ptosis that occurs in more people than this normal condition. Mild ketosis means the body uses fat as a source of energy which occurs in a fast time of about 12 to 14 hours. Hungry ketoacidosis occurs when ketones clot and become acidic in the blood. It can even start to break your muscles because it requires fat. It leads to the release of amino acids and lactate in a person’s blood. As a result, the liver then breaks it down into sugars for use as fuel.
Signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis
You should be aware of the following symptoms that may put you at risk of starvation ketoacidosis. It may include:
- Lower muscle mass
- Minimal body fat
- Low pulse rate
- Tooth decay
- Thin and dry hair
- Low blood pressure
- Explicit bone characteristic
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Ketoacidosis due to starvation is a very rare problem and most people do not go to such extremes during fasting. But according to a 2020 case report, some people have experienced mental health problems after ketoacidosis. Therefore, if the disease is not treated in time, further complications may occur.
Probable cause of starvation ketoacidosis
There are several possible causes of ketoacidosis due to starvation. If you have any of these disorders, try to be very careful-
- Malnutrition
- Gastric banding
- Eating Disorders
- Staying on a ketogenic diet, especially those who do it on a continuous fast
Starvation is a risk factor for ketoacidosis
Since most people have some access to food, they are less likely to develop ketoacidosis. However, those who follow a continuous fast and follow a very strict diet routine may have this problem. There are certain diets such as the Keto diet that should be followed very carefully and with the advice of expert nutritionists. In addition to food and fasting, there are some factors that can increase the risk of ketoacidosis due to starvation.
Also read: Platelet Deficiency: Signs and Causes of Adverse Resistance
- Having difficulty swallowing even after surgery
- Surgery after radiation therapy
- Underlying conditions and diseases that can cause malnutrition
- Fasting for a long time without adequate nutrition
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