A Study of Prolonged Fasting (Classic Reprint)

Discover what happens to the body during a month-long fast and how energy is produced. This study tracks heat production, fuel use, and overall energy loss with careful measurements and detailed data.

The text examines metabolism during an extended fast, detailing how the body shifts from glycogen to fat and protein as its main energy sources. It also discusses how energy loss includes both heat and the energy tied up in body wastes, with careful notes on potential energy carried in urine and the absence of fecal loss. The work compares different subjects and uses charts to illustrate how metabolism changes over time, including the appearance of partially oxidized byproducts when fat metabolism is stressed.

• How heat comes from the burning of fat and protein after the initial glycogen supply declines.
• How energy loss is calculated, including kinetic heat and the potential energy in urine, with no feces.
• Why certain byproducts (acetone bodies) appear when fat metabolism is not fully normal.
• How the data are organized and visualized through tables and metabolism charts for clear comparison.

Ideal for readers curious about physiology, nutrition, and the science behind fasting research.