Starvation Mode

IconStillFree

I'm sick of seeing "Starvation Mode" being mentioned on here. Here's an article that details it perfectly.

"Efficient adaptation to famine was important for survival during rough times in our evolution. Lowering metabolic rate during starvation allowed us to live longer, increasing the possibility that we might come across something to eat. Starvation literally means starvation. It doesn't mean skipping a meal not eating for 24 hours. Or not eating for three days even. The belief that meal skipping or short-term fasting causes "starvation mode" is so completely ridiculous and absurd that it makes me want to jump out the window.

Looking at the numerous studies I've read, the earliest evidence for lowered metabolic rate in response to fasting occurred after 60 hours (-8% in resting metabolic rate). Other studies show metabolic rate is not impacted until 72-96 hours have passed (George Cahill has contributed a lot on this topic).

Seemingly paradoxical, metabolic rate is actually increased in short-term fasting. For some concrete numbers, studies have shown an increase of 3.6% - 10% after 36-48 hours (Mansell PI, et al, and Zauner C, et al). This makes sense from an evolutionary perspective. Epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline/noradrenaline) sharpens the mind and makes us want to move around. Desirable traits that encouraged us to seek for food, or for the hunter to kill his prey, increasing survival. At some point, after several days of no eating, this benefit would confer no benefit to survival and probably would have done more harm than good; instead, an adaptation that favored conservation of energy turned out to be advantageous. Thus metabolic rate is increased in short-term fasting (up to 60 hours).

Again, I have choosen extreme examples to show how absurd the myth of "starvation mode" is - especially when you consider that the exact opposite is true in the context of how the term is thrown around."

Source : http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

deansdad101

I'm sick of seeing "Starvation Mode" being mentioned on here. Here's an article that details it perfectly.

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Source : http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

ISF;

Please don't try and confuse the issue with "facts". <G>

"“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

Kalikel

I read the first sentence of the article and stopped reading.

Handling starvation is a current problem, not just something that used to happen.

It's not much of a problem in the USA, but people are still starving all over the world.

Anyone who thinks that we no longer, as a species, deal with starvation...they're just not very well-versed on the subject.

On the flip side, only in the wealthier countries would you ever hear people saying things like they'll be starving if they skip food for one day or that you should eat more to lose weight. Only people privileged enough to have never starved would consider things like that without laughing.

deansdad101

I read the first sentence of the article and stopped reading.

<snipped>

Which comes as no surprise to anyone and is probably just as well considering your inability to comprehend even that much.

"“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

Cherimoose

the earliest evidence for lowered metabolic rate in response to fasting occurred after 60 hours (-8% in resting metabolic rate). Other studies show metabolic rate is not impacted until 72-96 hours have passed (George Cahill has contributed a lot on this topic).
Seemingly paradoxical, metabolic rate is actually increased in short-term fasting. For some concrete numbers, studies have shown an increase of 3.6% - 10% after 36-48 hours (Mansell PI, et al, and Zauner C, et al).

I usually see the "starvation mode" claim mentioned with regards to long-term underfeeding, but his studies only address short-term fasting.

By the way, the rise in metabolic rate that he mentions could be due to the breakdown of muscle (to produce glucose for brain function = gluconeogenesis). If so, that's not a favorable state to be in on a regular basis.

Mr_Knight

Anyone who thinks that we no longer, as a species, deal with starvation...they're just not very well-versed on the subject.

That sound...overhead....it's not a jet.