What happens to your body when you don't eat?

Question

I know this is the disease anorexia, but what actually takes place in your body when you don't consume food, and go a few days without eating at all and just consuming beverages?

Answer 1

If you "go a few days without eating at all" nothing much will happen. Your body will convert some of its fat reserves to glucose as an energy source for your cells. You'll be fine as long as you continue fluids. You can live for about 3 weeks without food but only 3 days without an adequate source of water.

From the other answers I've seen here, it would appear that no one really read your question. You said a few DAYS, not a few WEEKS.

Answer 2

you'll lose weight at first (not quickly, like over a couple of months) then you'll experience things like depression < majorly. your hair may fall out, teeth will go yellow, and eventually your body will eat away at your muscle and you'll die. there's LOTS more complications, which can happen inbetween some are really not nice. others are just to do with appearance, like you'll grow hair all over your body (fine white hair) as you'll be cold all the time as you'll have no fat for insulin, so your body grows hair to keep it warm. if your a girl you'll lose your period. you'll be consipated. and mentally it is not very good, some people get brain damage as the body is recieving no sugar and so basically the body shuts down.. before all this you'll experiance dizzy spells, and collapse a few times, before being hospitalized... and then you'll probably have to see a shrink. (if your still alive) and then you'll gain all the weight back (maybe more) and feel so silly for wasting a few years of your life. ohh and even still, your body will have been so affected from it, you'll have weak bones which brake easily. you'll be bruised easily and will have a crap immune system and become ill easily. AND even when your 'healthy' or in recovery there is still a chance of major organ shutting down, and a high risk of having heart attacks. xx

Answer 3

Well it depends on the caloric count of the beverages. If there protine nutrient shakes you can go longer. Esentialy your body eats the sugar in your body for food, then your bodys going to panic, seeing that you havent eaten and start storing everything you consume. Your going to be hungry, tired, sleep alot. You'll see some perliminary weight loss before you start noticing your skin looking awful, your eyes wont be alert, and your teeth will start looking like ****. You'll have to reduce your caloric count to nothing to get the same results as your body adujusts. Then once you get to the point where your body cant do more with less, then it'll start eating itself, literally your body will start consuming its own musles and organs.

My roommate used to be anoreix its the most discusting thing ever. Eat healthy, Exersize, dont bother being skiny, it wont make you happy.

Answer 4

Anorexia is known to be a life threatening condition that can put a serious strain on many of the body's organs and physiological resources. A recent review of the scientific literature outlined a number of reliable findings in this area. Anorexia puts a particular strain on the structure and function of the heart and cardiovascular system, with slow heart rate (bradycardia) and elongation of the QT interval seen early on. People with anorexia typically have a disturbed electrolyte imbalance, particularly low levels of phosphate which has been linked to heart failure, muscle weakness, immune dysfunction, and ultimately, death. Those who develop anorexia before adulthood may suffer stunted growth and subsequent low levels of essential hormones (including sex hormones) and chronically increased cortisol levels. Osteoporosis can also develop as a result of anorexia in 38-50% of cases, as poor nutrition lead to the retarded growth of essential bone structure and low bone mineral density.

Furthermore, changes in brain structure and function are noted as early signs of the condition. Enlargement of the ventricles of the brain is thought to be associated with starvation, and is partially reversed when normal weight is maintained. Anorexia is also linked to reduced blood flow in the temporal lobes, although as this finding does not correlate with current weight, it is possible that it is a risk trait, rather than an effect of starvation.

Answer 5

Your bodies nutrition levels become depleted and your body resorts taking energy from your stored fatty cells which are in the side walls of your stomach. Some say you can go a month or a little more without eating,( like Jesus did it for fourty days.) but you will be entering a very dangerous area, because your body will become dehydrated and you will experience dizziness and fatigue and you could even pass out, or die.

Answer 6

My best friend died from anorexia several years ago,
http://climate.uvic.ca/people/hughes/hughes.html
You can see how much she changed in a few short years. in essence your body will consume itself until your brain function shuts down.

Answer 7

excuse me let me refraise my answer as someone already emailed me, whom I thought was quite rude. I have had this disease before and your body needs vitamins and nutrients, without them your functions in your body begin to shut down and or may cause health problems. Not eating for a few days will not kill you but you will start to feel ill.

Answer 8

First your body will disolve your fat, which is your stored energy. After the fat is burned your body will start consuming your muscle tissue and converting it into energy. Essentially you waste away.

Answer 9

Your body stores any of your body fat as a safety gaurd and begins to break down muscles for nutrients

Answer 10

First your body feeds on its stored fats. Then after the fats are gone, it begins to feed on its own muscle.The heart is a muscle, so it is often damaged in starvation.