Under Conditions of Prolonged Starvation, Which Fuel is MOST Catabolized

Question

Under conditions of prolonged starvation, which fuel is MOST catabolized by the brain in humans?
A) ketone bodies
B) glucose
C) amino acids
D) odd-chain fatty acids
E) glycerol

Accepted Answer

During prolonged starvation, the body's glucose and glycogen stores are depleted, forcing the body to rely on alternative fuel sources. One of those sources is ketone bodies, which are produced by the liver from fatty acids when insulin levels are low. The brain can use ketone bodies as a source of fuel when glucose is not available, making them an important energy source during starvation. Therefore, A) ketone bodies are the fuel MOST catabolized by the brain in humans during prolonged starvation.