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Related Concept Videos

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation01:24

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
The Functions of the Skeletal System01:22

The Functions of the Skeletal System

The most apparent functions of the skeletal system are support, protection, and movement. However, bone tissue also performs several other critical metabolic functions. For one, the bone matrix acts as a reservoir for a number of minerals important to the functioning of the body, especially calcium and phosphorus. These minerals, present in the bone tissue, can be released back into the bloodstream when required. Calcium ions, for example, are essential for muscle contractions and controlling...
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State01:18

Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State

The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

Why does starvation make bones fat?

Maureen J Devlin1

  • 1Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. mdevlin1@bidmc.harvard.edu

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
|July 28, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) mass increases during starvation, unlike other fat stores. This review explores if BMAT is a passive filler or an adaptation for starvation survival.

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Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body
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Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body

Published on: August 4, 2022

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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body
06:02

Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body

Published on: August 4, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • White adipose tissue (WAT) is a key energy reserve, its mass fluctuating with food intake.
  • Bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) function remains poorly understood.
  • BMAT mass paradoxically increases during starvation when other fat depots deplete.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and evaluate potential functions of BMAT during starvation.
  • To explore hypotheses regarding BMAT's role as a passive filler, pathological consequence, or adaptive mechanism.
  • To examine the effects of negative energy balance on BMAT and skeletal physiology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on BMAT and starvation.
  • Evaluation of physiological effects of starvation on adipose tissue depots.
  • Analysis of mechanisms regulating BMAT storage and metabolism during negative energy balance.

Main Results:

  • BMAT exhibits distinct behavior compared to WAT during starvation.
  • Evidence is presented for and against BMAT being a passive filler or pathological outcome.
  • The potential adaptive role of BMAT in starvation survival is considered.

Conclusions:

  • BMAT's unique response to starvation suggests a specialized function beyond passive filling.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of BMAT in energy homeostasis and starvation adaptation.
  • Understanding BMAT mechanisms may offer insights into metabolic diseases and skeletal health.