[Metabolism and blood circulation studies in absolute nutrition deficiency]

[Influence of starvation and kinesitherapy on blood lipids and their fractions (author's transl)]

In 24 obese patients triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol were determined repeatedly during a period of starvation up to 21 days, combined with kinesitherapy. The average loss of body weight was after 10 days 6.4 kg and after 21 days 10.5 kg. While the triglycerides decreased only in the first week significantly, cholesterol decreased highly significant in 21 days from an average of 224 mg/dl to an average of 160 mg/dl. LDL-cholesterol was reduced from the 4th to the 21st day of starvation highly significant to an average of 100 mg/dl. On the other hand HDL-cholesterol decreased only in the first days and showed later a tendency to increase. Therefore the quotient LDL/HDL-cholesterol changed from 3.0 to 2.0. It is discussed that starvation diminishes the atherogenic fractions of cholesterol much more than the fractions which may have a protective effect against coronary heart disease.

Acid-base patterns in lean and obese subjects during total fasting

During prolonged starvation blood gas analyses on 24 lean and 78 obese subjects were performed. A statistically significant sex difference of acid-base status was found in that lean females were more acidotic after 4 - 6 days of fasting than lean males. This sex difference was abolished by severe and long-standing obesity, since females suffering from this condition were not significantly different from lean and obese males. Out of 78 obese patients fasted for 1 - 4 weeks 8 had one or more pH values below 7.30. It is concluded that regular blood gas analyses are indicated in all patients subjected to prolonged total fasting.