How do our bodies fight hunger and survive?

The human body has developed the ability to adapt itself against numerous difficulties in the struggle for survival for thousands of years. Perhaps the most impressive one of the adaptation processes, reaction to hunger.

So, how does our bodies survive when they encounter a scarcity of food? Our metabolism is to protect energy resources and maintaining vital functions What kind of transformation does he undergo?

The first reaction to hunger begins with the reorganization of energy sources.

When our bodies cannot find food, they first start to reorganize energy sources. Normally, most of our energy needs are obtained by breaking the carbohydrates and our cells are the main energy source. glucose is met.

A few hours after eating, the body uses energy normally, but 8 Ila 12 In case of a hunger, glucose levels begin to decrease. At this point, the body is not yet in a crisis mode and turns to alternative energy sources instead of glucose.

After 24 hours, alternative energy sources come into play.

If we don’t eat anything for a day, the body’s glycogen stores start to run out and to meet the energy needs. Fat burning process is entering.

The liver converts fats into ketones and creates a new fuel source for the brain and other organs. Ketones, Especially in long -term hunger, it is one of the critical molecules that allow us to survive.

After 72 hours, the muscles move to protection mode.

When we eat for three days, it starts to save energy by reducing the metabolic rate. Meanwhile, to minimize protein loss trying to limit muscle destruction.

Instead He uses more oil stores And it increases ketone production. The brain normally starts to work with ketones when using glucose normally, which can explain the feeling of mental clarity in the hunger process.

After a week, the survival mode is overwhelmed.

If we don’t eat for a week, thyroid hormones and other metabolic regulators come into play. The activity of thyroid hormones is decreasing, Metabolism slows down. At the same time, body temperature decreases and physical activity decreases.

During this period, fat warehouses continue to be the main energy source but in the long run so that the vital organs do not damage Some proteins are also used in energy production.

It forces the body limits quite a long time in a long -term hunger.

The body’s capacity to withstand hunger for weeks or even months depends on fat content and general health status. In case of extremely long -lasting hunger, of course, muscle mass begins to decrease seriously and The immune system is weakening, Vitamins and mineral deficiencies can disrupt the functions of the organs.

At this point, the body begins to use its own tissues as an energy source and when the critical threshold is overcome organ failure serious health problems such as.

How does hunger affect our psychology?

“Why are we angry when you’re hungry?” The question is the result of all these effects. Staying hungry affects us not only physiological, but also psychologically.

In case of long -term hunger, changes in brain chemistry also occur. In particular, like serotonin and dopamine The levels of neurotransmitters decrease And this can cause changes in mood, concentration difficulties, and even depressive symptoms.

At the same time in the case of hunger appetite hormones also changes. The hormone called Ghrelin increases the feeling of hunger, while the leptin hormone provides a feeling of satiety.

In the hunger process, Ghrelin levels increase, which causes a constant feeling of hunger. In fact, this situation is to increase motivation in finding food an evolutionary adaptation We can also think as.

Everyone can react to the hunger process.

Our hunger lasting time is not one and it Age, gender, body fat ratio, Various factors such as general health status and previous eating habits affect.

For example, Individuals with high fat content While it can withstand hunger for a longer period of time, individuals with low fat rates can experience an energy crisis more quickly.

As a result, our bodies exhibit an incredible adaptation ability to survive in case of hunger. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the hunger situation, which lasts very long hours or days, affects both our physiology and our psychology. So too With balanced nutrition and adequate energy intake It is necessary to know that the body functions in a healthy way.

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