How does the body adjust to a state of fasting or starvation?

It will try to conserve energy, and store nutrition. As a result, skin will become more dry and flaky and hair will become thinner or fall out or change color. The body has to resort to stored fat for nutrition and energy. As a result, there will be a decrease in fat around the body. (This happens after a week or so of continuous fasting / starvation.) Many organs, like the kidneys and liver and heart, will begin to not function right and a person can suffer organ damage or failure.