The blockade of Artsakh causing long-term food, nutrition shortage and starvation: How functional food education can help resolve health related conditions

Abstract

Throughout history, regimes have utilized starvation as a form of genocide. Genocide is defined by Rafael Lempkin as an intentional effort to annihilate a national group. The purpose of this research is to analyze the physiological immediate and lasting effects of starvation in the human body. In the current conflict in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), ecologists from Azerbaijan are preventing fuel, medicine, and food from entering the Armenian border at the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor since December 12, 2022. Russian peacekeepers are simultaneously stationed at the Berdzor Corridor, which connects Artsakh and Armenia. In this article, observations are presented on the effects of starvation and recovery on the human body as they relate to historical genocides. Short and long-term effects of starvation can be severe, especially in minority populations and small territories. Although prolonged starvation has more profound impacts on the body, metabolic processes and increased stress levels can cause serious harm to someone who hasn’t consumed food for even only a few days. The predominant physiological shift during a short period of starvation is the transition from gluconeogenesis as a form of fuel production to lipid oxidation as fuel production, resulting in formation of ketone bodies. This switch ultimately leads to metabolic acidosis and the beginning of further complications if trends continue.A prolonged lack of food can lead to an altered mental state, cardiac dysrhythmia, loss of bone density and various other abnormal physiological processes. Many of these findings are potentially reversible via proposed treatments for recovery, although some are not. The blockade of Artsakh has the potential to cause both severe short and long-term physical and psychological damage as discussed below. The blockade began more than 80 days ago, thus certain damage has already occurred.We strongly urge the international community to act against this blockade and help prevent a future genocide.

Keywords: food shortage, Starvation, genocide,Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), blockade, Berdzor (Lachin) corridor, bioactive compounds, functional foods