Starvation mode

kat239

Starvation mode is it true? yes I have done a search on here before you jump on my back. The 5:2 diet works and that's starving yourself but its not for me. My question is do you think that you have to eat to loose?

shadow2soul

Depends on what your talking about in terms of "Starvation mode."

When eating at a deficit your metabolism will eventually slow to match your intake (requires months of eating low calories, not just a few days).
There is a point where you won't be eating enough calories to get adequate nutrients and this can cause a lot of health problems. Hair loss, no period, ect..
Low calorie diets can also cause a lot of muscle loss. The exception to this is if your really overweight - obese, but again takes more than a few days for this to happen.
I do not believe that there is a magical low calorie number that makes you "store fat," but as I said before your metabolism could shift and potentially stop weight loss.


I don't "eat to lose." I eat to be healthy and have energy without over eating. Considering the fact that I want to be healthy and I enjoy food, I eat as much as I can get away with and still continue to lose weight.

The 5:2 diet as I understand it, is only really low calories for 2 days a week. 2 low calorie days, shouldn't cause your metabolism to slow down any. It takes much more constant low calorie days for something like that to happen.

Problems with extremely low calorie intake (most of this stuff doesn't happen right away, but later down the road...its kind of like how some smokers end up with emphysema or lung cancer and some don't):

- Malnutrition

"Inadequate caloric intake can lead to malnutrition over time. According to MedlinePlus, malnutrition occurs when the diet does not allow the intake of a sufficient amount of nutrients. A diet with extremely low calories does not allow for adequate consumption of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants the body needs to perform its daily life processes. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to various problems, including fatigue, impaired wound healing and extreme weight loss." *1*

- Slower Metabolism (takes a while, but does happen)

"Metabolism is the rate at which the body burns fuel for energy. The basal metabolic rate is the minimum number of calories necessary to perform daily basic functions such as breathing, growth, cellular repair and digestion, according to MayoClinic.com. When calories are restricted over a long period of time, the body will compensate by holding on to the few calories that are consumed. Instead of burning calories freely, the body will perform basic life processes more slowly to conserve fuel. This can actually lead to weight gain." *1*

- Physical Changes

"A decrease in caloric intake may cause positive physical changes at first, especially in individuals with extra weight to lose. However, an extreme decrease in caloric intake can cause negative physical changes over time. Once individuals lose excess weight, calorie restriction can cause various physical problems. The Calorie Restriction Society indicates that decreasing daily calories too much can lead to reduced bone mass, fatigue, sensitivity to cold temperatures and food obsession due to extreme hunger. The CRS recommends gradual calorie reduction over a period of at least six months to avoid some of the side effects of low caloric intake." *1*

-Side Effects:

"Let’s look at some of the uncomfortable side effects of very low calorie diets:

Dry mouth
Headache
Dizziness
Fatigue and weakness
Cold intolerance
Dry skin and nails
Menstrual irregularities in women
Hair loss
Constipation/diarrhoea
Irritability and confusion
Inability to concentrate
Muscle breakdown
Problems with nerve and muscle function due to an imbalance in minerals and electrolytes
Conditions such as osteoporosis, anaemia, gout, gallstones, clinical depression, heart problems, renal failure, and liver disease" *2*



References:
*1*
http://www.livestrong.com/article/277053-what-are-the-dangers-of-low-caloric-intake/
*2*
http://www.dietriffic.com/2009/05/14/very-low-calorie-diet/