ELECTROLYTE AND FLUID STUDIES DURING WATER DEPRIVATION AND STARVATION IN HUMAN SUBJECTS, AND THE EFFECT OF INGESTION OF FISH, OF CARBOHYDRATE, AND OF SALT SOLUTIONS 12

Abstract

Balances of water, nitrogen, and electrolytes have been studied during water deprivation, starvation, and the ingestion of various solns. and foodstuffs. Fasting increased the negative water balance during water deprivation. The loss of fluids and electrolytes occurred at first predominantly from the extracellular phase, and subsequently from the intracellular. No clear advantage of hypotonic saline over fresh water could be demonstrated in the amelioration of dehydration. Carbohydrate decreased the negative N balance, the ketone formation, the urine vol. and the dehydration of completely deprived subjects. Its water of oxidation was also made available to the body. All of the water of ingested fish was used to excrete the protein metabolites and therefore failed to minimize dehydration. Under the conditions of limited water supply, ingestion of protein foods is definitely contraindicated. Carbohydrate is the foodstuff of choice.