Diabetes mellitus, pathoglycemia, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver, overweight, hypertension, and atherosclerosis are common diseases endangering human health. Cachexia is a life-threatening disease condition. Cachexia is associated with increased mortality. Cancer patients with cachexia are less tolerant and have a decreased response to chemotherapy and radiation. Do these diseases have a common pathogenesis? We will discuss the commonality of energy metabolism in starvation, disorders of glucose-lipid metabolism, diabetes mellitus and cachexia, and how the stress response alters the pattern of energy metabolism.