Can humans hibernate?

[Kevin Lancaster]

Can humans hibernate?

On cold, dark days it is tempting to imagine shutting yourself away until the warmer weather returns.

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Muscle atrophy is also a crutch for humans thats not active for long periods of time.

 

[WaxLyrical]

My boss says its not possible.

 

[Jola]

Muscle atrophy is also a crutch for humans thats not active for long periods of time.

How do bears cope with that, or do they just rebuild muscle when they wake up ?

 

[KleinBoontjie]

How do bears cope with that, or do they just rebuild muscle when they wake up ?

No, but atrophy is reduced at a far Larger extent because they can convert fat, from their fat stores, into glucose for energy, thus sparing proteins stores. Something humans can't do. We humans degrade our protein stores, in the muscles, into amino acids to make glucose.

 

[midnightcaller]

No, but atrophy is reduced at a far Larger extent because they can convert fat, from their fat stores, into glucose for energy, thus sparing proteins stores. Something humans can't do. We humans degrade our protein stores, in the muscles, into amino acids to make glucose.

If only we could do what bears do with their fat stores .....sigh