The interations between untrition and the endocrine system are more intimate and comprex that previously thought. Nutrition modulates secretion and activity of many hormones, as part of the stress adaptation process. Fasting, in particular,
produces a
number of important changes in the endocrine system, with teleological purpose of helping the body tolerate the lack of food ingestion. These changes are therefore beneficial and protective. Although at times they may not appear to be that way.
The endocrine changes of fasting mediate the metabolic reponse. We must emphasize that these changes are completely reversible when appropriate nutrition is established. These changes are as follows: 1) decreased insulin and increased glucagon
levels,
2) decreased thyroid effect, 3) decreased sympathetic activity, 4) hypothalamic hypogonadism, 5) decreased growth, 6) altered glucocorticoid secretion and metabolism, 7) imparied mineralocorticoid response. 8) decreased ADH secretion and effect.
We experience three cases of involuntary prolonged fasting after collapse of Sampoong department store. They were released from collapsed field after 11(cases I), 13(cases II), 17days(case III) respectively. In each case, the endocrine changes of
plasma
levels were as follows: decrease of cortisol in case I, increase of GH in case II, decrease of free T3, T3, cortisol and increase of reverse T3, insulin in case III.
Each one did not show the same endocrine changes of plasma levels. But we think these changes of fasting are beneficial in metabolic response of human.
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