| The sea is also much calmer today - to my
relief. It is now the fourth day of the dry fasting period and the team is
actually looking quite good... to my surprise and contrary to popular medical
belief. I was able to do some basic tests on the team and as expected their
urine all tested strongly positive for ketones - confirmation that they are all
severely dehydrated. During the first stage of starvation the body changes from
a "glucose fuel" system to a mainly "ketone fuel" system. During decreased
glucose intake and glucose oxygenation, free fatty acids (FFA) are metabolized
from the adipose (fat) tissue. This increased FFA plasma concentration
stimulates the liver to produce more ketone bodies from these free flowing
FFA's. These ketones can be used as an alternative fuel source to glucose when
glucose is not available. These ketone bodies as energy are crucial to maintain
brain function as the FFA's cannot cross the blood brain barrier. This shifting
fuel system spares the body from breaking down protein for energy for a longer
period of time. This is one of the most basic metabolic survival systems, because
as soon as the body starts to break down protein (muscle) - death by loss of
critical protein is imminent.
Goltis claims that he is very hungry at this
stage. Andriy reports severe thirst. Constantin said that he is feeling good.
The basic medical tests I can do on board show all is still "stable" with the
team. Most amazingly my evening meal was prepared by Goltis - he carefully
added some garlic to my boiled potatoes in vegetable oil meal... looking at my
mouth when I answered of how it tasted - I could see him swallowing some saliva
in delight at my pleasure. It is very difficult to eat in the company of
starving men. I am mostly concerned for Andriy who is sleeping most of the time
- he looks fatigued. He is looking slightly paler around the mouth than the
rest of the team. Everyone is much quieter than they were in those first days
when I met them in Palos de la Frontera. They mostly keep to their own business
and watched a Ukrainian movie together. Now it is a late afternoon and the sea
in turning high again. It will once again be a rough night. The team is really devoted
to the goal. Their willpower is an inspiration. |
