What Happens if You Go a Week Without Eating
Food and especially water are essential to life.
The effects of going a week without eating are based on different factors like age, health status, and water intake.
Without water, survival is limited to about 3 days, while without food alone, you may last weeks, depending on the factors above. Food extends this fasting period because the body has larger reserves of food/energy stored as fat as opposed to water.
Dehydration can lead to a shutdown of kidney functions and can cause high body temperature. However, a prolonged lack of food can also cause these in the long run.
No one can honestly know precisely how long a person will survive without eating.
Not eating for extended periods also comes with a barrage of symptoms. Some of the symptoms you may experience in the initial stages include but are not limited to shakiness, dizziness, hypoglycemia, slurred speech, and confusion. If starvation lasts over 7 days, more severe symptoms like hair thinning, muscle loss, skin changes, and eventually death.
Find the breakdown of what happens in the days leading to the 7-day mark.
- Initial Stage (First 24-48 hours):
In the first 24 hours, the body adapts its metabolism to the physical state of the body. The body uses stored glycogen (carbohydrates) to make up for the energy (glucose) that can no longer be derived from ingested food.
This process lasts only for a short period, a maximum of 48 hours, and then the body stops using glycogen and instead goes through a process called ketosis.
Ketosis is a metabolic state where your body shifts its primary fuel source from glucose (derived from carbohydrates) to ketones derived from fatty acids.
As the body tries to adjust to its ketonic state, you may experience symptoms like hypoglycemia, extreme hunger, headache, sluggishness, dizziness, weakness, imbalance, irritability, rapid heartbeat, and poor concentration. Eating and drinking food rich in carbohydrates can be especially helpful in reversing these symptoms.
- Short-Term Fasting (2-4 days):
The body, after depleting stored glycogen, starts burning fat stored in the other parts of the body to maintain bodily functions. This leads to muscle breakdown and a decline in muscle mass. With continued starvation, it eventually becomes the primary source of the body’s energy. Ketosis causes bad breath, fatigue, and cramps.
- Prolonged Fasting (5-7 days):
The body continues to rely on ketosis (ketones) for fuel. There is increased weight loss and an aggravation of initial symptoms. Cognitive functions become increasingly impaired, leading to difficulties in concentrating.
As more weight is lost and body weight goes below the safe BMI of 16.5, symptoms of starvation become more pronounced.
Other adverse effects after this period are:
- Health Risks:
– Immune System Suppression: The immune system may become weakened, making you more susceptible to infections and diseases.
– Organ Damage: An extended lack of nutrients may damage vital organs. The organs most susceptible to damage from starvation are the kidneys and liver. Your stomach may also suffer from the following symptoms: stomach pain, constipation, weakness, and nausea. In severe cases, there may be an inflammation of the pancreas.
– Electrolyte Imbalance: Imbalances in electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium can occur, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions like heart arrhythmias.
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Cardiovascular system
The body breaks down muscle tissue for energy and this may affect the heart. This is because the body requires energy to function effectively, and a decline in energy levels may mean an inability to properly circulate blood, leading to a weakened heart.
- Central nervous system
The CNS is plagued with difficulty concentrating, impaired cognitive function, mood swings, and even seizures.
Endocrine system
Starvation leads to an imbalance of the hormones, affecting the secretion of estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones. As such, menstruation may stop or become irregular in women, while in men, there may be low libido. Both may also experience infertility. Physical changes like hair thinning and dry skin may manifest.
- Malnourishment and nutritional deficiency
Lack of essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and minerals due to starvation may lead to deficiencies and a breakdown in body functions.
This also leads to malnutrition and pallidness, weakness, poor immunity, and irregular or no period (in women). Continued starvation may lead to severe and long-term effects like bone thinning, fractures, slow wound healing, Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats) and palpitations, and Cachexia (a wasting syndrome causing dramatic weight loss)
To reintroduce food safely, people who have experienced starvation or malnourishment need to be cared for in a hospital or specialized medical facility.
In extreme cases, extended fasting without proper medical supervision can lead to severe health complications and even death. Therefore, it’s essential to seek medical advice and ensure adequate hydration and nutrient intake during any fasting period.
