[What is catabolism?].

Disease can be differentiated from health by some stereotype phenomena of which catabolism is one of the most fundamental. It is not only a feature of the postaggression syndrome but also of the pathophysiological activity observed with chronically consuming diseases, including starvation. Any catabolic state ultimately leads to a malnutrition syndrome. Without catabolism the total vegetative switch-over to development of ergotropy as described by Hoff, is inconceivable. Ergotropy fundamentally ensures that emergency situations can be overcome, in other words, ensures survival in spite of risk to vital systems. Due to disturbed regulations, for example risk to vital systems. Due to disturbed regulations, for example induced by secondary diseases, malnutrition syndromes occurring as a result of catabolism will themselves ultimately jeopardize vital systems. Thus, they may become factors determining prognosis. The art of managing such situations is part of the progress currently available to modern-day medicine through the therapeutic device of requirement-adapted nutrition.