How Long Can We Survive Without Food? The Man Who Fasted For 382 Days
Imagine being stranded on a deserted island, how long can you survive without food? A day? A week? A month?
Humans have an incredible ability to survive without food for weeks.…BUT try telling that to someone who’s been waiting for their food delivery for more than 45 minutes! 45 minutes might feel like an eternity when you are hungry, right?
However, on a serious note, how long can the human body go on without food and how does it affect the body?
At first the body plays it cool like a well-prepared survivor. Within a day or two it starts burning fat like a marathon runner chasing the finishing line. As the days stretches on, the muscles become the next unwilling sacrifice. The metabolism slows down while the brain struggles to keep up.
Angus Barbieri’s story is one of the testaments of the capabilities of the human body. In 1965, Angus Barbieri undertook an incredible challenge that changed his life and astounded the medical world. For 382 days, Angus fasted under medical supervision, surviving only on water, vitamins and electrolytes.
The Man Who Fasted for a Year: Angus Barbieri’s Incredible Story
Angus was just an ordinary man who found himself struggling with obesity. He lost 125 kg (276 pounds), going from 207 kg (456 pounds) to 82kg (180 pounds). At first the doctors wanted him to keep the fast for a short period of time, however as days turned into weeks, Barbieri wanted to continue fasting until he achieved his goal of 82 Kg. Barbieri was allowed to take tea, coffee and sparking water. These were all naturally calorie free.
Before consuming his first meal after almost a year, he claimed to have forgotten what food tasted like for him. For his first meal, he ate a boiled egg, a slice of bread and butter and a cup of black coffee.
There is no ‘rule of thumb’ for how long a person can survive without food. It depends on individual differences and circumstances. The human body can adjust itself by slowing down the metabolism, utilizing the energy reserves and prioritizing essential functions to prolong survival.
The first 24 hours: The hangry phase
The food we eat acts as a source of energy for our body, however if we stop eating and undergo fasting, for the next 24 hours the body will receive energy from the glucose stores. Once depleted, it then shifts to the glycogen stores in the liver and muscles converting glycogen into glucose. As the body prepares for energy conservation, the metabolism slows down. The intestine starts sending signals to the brain to eat. Hunger pangs and craving for food sets in.
Fat breakdown (3–7 days): The Keto Bootcamp
Once the glycogen stores are depleted, the body then shifts to breakdown of fats for energy. The body now significantly increases its reliance on fat as the primary source of energy. The liver acts as the main oxidizer for triglycerides. When the liver starts converting fatty acids into ketone bodies; this process is known as ketosis. This serves as an alternative source of energy for the brain and other tissues. The body tries to preserve the muscle mass as much as possible. The ketone bodies which are released, decreases the appetite leading to decreased hunger. The more the fat reserves in a person, the longer the person can survive during starvation.
Protein breakdown (Beyond 7 days): The Muscle Breakdown/ Brain fog Apocalypse/ The immune system resignation letter
Once the fat stores are depleted, the body starts breaking down the proteins into amino acids to provide energy for performing important functions. The muscle tissues and organ proteins are broken down. This leads to cognitive impairment, weakened immune system, emotional instability, increased susceptibility to infections, physical weakness and many other adverse symptoms.
The body is in full conservation mode. If the body still does not receive any food, it leads to severe malnutrition, organ failure and eventually leads to death.
Even though the human body is impressively adaptable, starvation is a slow, brutal negotiation for survival. While short-term fasting has its benefits, however, prolonged deprivation can lead to severe consequences. Cases like that of Angus Barbieri may seem fascinating but it cannot be a blueprint for health. Ultimately nutrition is about balance- it is important to fuel the body enough to let it thrive rather than just survive!
