When people don't eat for 3 days, their adrenaline levels go up, but not until after the second day of fasting.

Scientific Claim

Acute starvation in healthy young adults is associated with increased plasma adrenaline levels after 72 hours, but not at 36 hours, suggesting a delayed catecholamine response to prolonged fasting.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study design (cohort study) can describe associations between starvation and physiological changes. The claim uses 'is associated with' which appropriately reflects the observational nature of the study.

Source Excerpt

“Plasma adrenaline levels increased during starvation (Fig. 4; time effect P = 0.015, ANOVA). There was no significant difference between the 12 h and 36 h values (P = 0.068), but the 72 h value was greater than that at 12 h (P = 0.006).”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting Evidence (1)

Why it supports

The study measured plasma adrenaline levels at multiple time points during starvation and found a statistically significant increase only at 72 hours, with no significant change at 36 hours.

Score

The cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal changes accompanying acute starvation in men and women

Cross-Sectional Study

Supported

Source Study

The cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal changes accompanying acute starvation in men and women

Score: 50

DOI: 10.1079/bjn19940150

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