Which metabolic process is common in both stress and starvation-related malnutrition?

Which metabolic process is common in both stress and starvation-related malnutrition?

• A. lipolysis
• B. ketosis
• C. hypermetabolism
• D. hypoglycemia

Answer: (A)

In both stress- and starvation-related malnutrition, the body relies on mobilizing stored fat to meet energy needs. Lipolysis is that process: stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol stimulate the breakdown of adipose tissue triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. The free fatty acids are used for energy production, while glycerol can feed gluconeogenesis to help maintain blood glucose. Ketone bodies can form with prolonged fatty acid oxidation, but the essential shared mechanism in these conditions is lipolysis. Hypermetabolism occurs mainly with acute illness and isn’t universal in starvation, and hypoglycemia isn’t consistently seen in stress-related malnutrition, so they’re less universally applicable.

In both stress- and starvation-related malnutrition, the body relies on mobilizing stored fat to meet energy needs. Lipolysis is that process: stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol stimulate the breakdown of adipose tissue triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. The free fatty acids are used for energy production, while glycerol can feed gluconeogenesis to help maintain blood glucose. Ketone bodies can form with prolonged fatty acid oxidation, but the essential shared mechanism in these conditions is lipolysis. Hypermetabolism occurs mainly with acute illness and isn’t universal in starvation, and hypoglycemia isn’t consistently seen in stress-related malnutrition, so they’re less universally applicable.