Free fatty acids are continually

Running head: HUMAN BIOCHEMISTRY 1
Human Biochemistry
Name
Institution

HUMAN BIOCHEMISTRY 2
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa can be described as an extremely dangerous eating disorder that makes
individuals have an intense fear of gaining weight thus forcing them to starve or engage in
excessive physical activities (Zipfel et al., 2015). As a result, they may become dangerously thin
because they do not eat enough food to build their bodies appropriately. Due to anorexia nervosa,
the body may undergo some metabolic adaptations to satisfy its energy requirements by focusing
on the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The body metabolizes proteins,
carbohydrates, and fats to produce energy for normal body functions. During starvation, the body
cannot anticipate the next meal. Therefore, the body undergoes metabolic adaptations to spare
proteins and conserve glucose at the same time. Under normal circumstances, the body breaks
down protein to maintain the level of glucose in the blood. Amino acids, therefore, become the
main source of glucose. The body keeps relying on fatty acids and ketone bodies as sources of
energy (Lee, Choi, Scafidi & Wolfgang, 2016). This overreliance allows the body to maintain the
level of blood glucose at around 65 mg/dL which is slightly lower than the normal range. Muscle
proteins are therefore conserved for an extended period of anorexia nervosa. This is accompanied
by a reduced amount of ammonia being released in the urine.
Free fatty acids are continually mobilized from the adipose tissues in the absence of insulin and
oxidation of fatty acids in the liver continues because the only site that regulates the oxidation is
adipose tissues. Acetyl-CoA accumulates and they are shunted through ketogenesis to produce
water-soluble forms of fat (Rudd, 2012). These water-soluble forms of fats are ketone bodies
which are mobilized to acetyl-CoA and use to produce energy. It is important to note that
anorexia nervosa leads to ketosis that is caused by an increase in the hepatic manufacture of
ketone bodies.