Starvation Mode- How to know you're in it and how to get ou

infamousmk

W.T.F. ... I don't know how the wiki page on the MN study was supposed to prove "starvation mode is a myth" ... here are some quotes about the psychological findings:

"The full report of results from the Minnesota Starvation Experiment was published in 1950 in a two-volume, 1,385 page text entitled The Biology of Human Starvation (University of Minnesota Press). The 50-chapter work contains an extensive analysis of the physiological and psychological data collected during the study, and a comprehensive literature review.

Among the conclusions from the study was the confirmation that prolonged semi-starvation produces significant increases in depression, hysteria and hypochondriasis as measured using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) (a standardized test administered during the experimental period). Indeed, most of the subjects experienced periods of severe emotional distress and depression.[1]:161 There were extreme reactions to the psychological effects during the experiment including self-mutilation (one subject amputated three fingers of his hand with an axe, though the subject was unsure if he had done so intentionally or accidentally).[4] Participants exhibited a preoccupation with food, both during the starvation period and the rehabilitation phase. Sexual interest was drastically reduced, and the volunteers showed signs of social withdrawal and isolation.[1]:123-124 The participants reported a decline in concentration, comprehension and judgment capabilities, although the standardized tests administered showed no actual signs of diminished capacity. There were marked declines in physiological processes indicative of decreases in each subject’s basal metabolic rate (the energy required by the body in a state of rest), reflected in reduced body temperature, respiration and heart rate. Some of the subjects exhibited edema (swelling) in their extremities, presumably due to the massive quantities of water the participants consumed attempting to fill their stomachs during the starvation period."

Here's the most important quote, IMO:

"One of the crucial observations of the Minnesota Starvation Experiment discussed by a number of researchers in the nutritional sciences—including Ancel Keys—is that the physical effects of the induced semi-starvation during the study well approximates the conditions experienced by patients afflicted with a range of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. As a result of the study it has been postulated that many of the profound social and psychological effects of these disorders may result from undernutrition, and recovery depends on physical re-nourishment as well as psychological treatment."


... not only that, this study was conducted in the 1940s on men in generally good health, who had active jobs and were required quite a lot of physical work .... not a young woman in current times who has access to innumerable amounts of fast food and processed foods...

I must have misunderstood the purpose of posting the link.

colbiegirl

I ended up in starvation mode gradually by cutting calories to lose weight......... and when i stopped losing i would cut more calories until i was down to less 600 calories a day. I am now up to 1800 calories a day and am losing weight a much more healthy way. I'm not going to lie to you..... when you increase your calories your body will store them because it is scared you will starve it again.,.,., however give it sometime and it ballences out and the weight will start coming off. I added the calories fairly fast..... but offset it by increasing my exersise( believe me you will actually have energy to do this ) good Luck!!

Thank you for your personal experience. I know it's not going to be easy, but I have to do it instead of being reprimanded 24/7. I don't want to hurt myself.

_GlaDOS_

W.T.F. ... I don't know how the wiki page on the MN study was supposed to prove "starvation mode is a myth" ... here are some quotes about the psychological findings:

"The full report of results from the Minnesota Starvation Experiment was published in 1950 in a two-volume, 1,385 page text entitled The Biology of Human Starvation (University of Minnesota Press). The 50-chapter work contains an extensive analysis of the physiological and psychological data collected during the study, and a comprehensive literature review.

Among the conclusions from the study was the confirmation that prolonged semi-starvation produces significant increases in depression, hysteria and hypochondriasis as measured using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) (a standardized test administered during the experimental period). Indeed, most of the subjects experienced periods of severe emotional distress and depression.[1]:161 There were extreme reactions to the psychological effects during the experiment including self-mutilation (one subject amputated three fingers of his hand with an axe, though the subject was unsure if he had done so intentionally or accidentally).[4] Participants exhibited a preoccupation with food, both during the starvation period and the rehabilitation phase. Sexual interest was drastically reduced, and the volunteers showed signs of social withdrawal and isolation.[1]:123-124 The participants reported a decline in concentration, comprehension and judgment capabilities, although the standardized tests administered showed no actual signs of diminished capacity. There were marked declines in physiological processes indicative of decreases in each subject’s basal metabolic rate (the energy required by the body in a state of rest), reflected in reduced body temperature, respiration and heart rate. Some of the subjects exhibited edema (swelling) in their extremities, presumably due to the massive quantities of water the participants consumed attempting to fill their stomachs during the starvation period."

Here's the most important quote, IMO:

"One of the crucial observations of the Minnesota Starvation Experiment discussed by a number of researchers in the nutritional sciences—including Ancel Keys—is that the physical effects of the induced semi-starvation during the study well approximates the conditions experienced by patients afflicted with a range of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. As a result of the study it has been postulated that many of the profound social and psychological effects of these disorders may result from undernutrition, and recovery depends on physical re-nourishment as well as psychological treatment."


... not only that, this study was conducted in the 1940s on men in generally good health, who had active jobs and were required quite a lot of physical work .... not a young woman in current times who has access to innumerable amounts of fast food and processed foods...

I must have misunderstood the purpose of posting the link.

Yes, thank you. Everything I was too lazy to quote.

Most people quote this when talking about "starvation mode". I have no idea why. There is real research on it out there, I just don't know why everyone turns to this super old unethical study.

infamousmk

Furthermore, I don't know how how this study even relates to slowed metabolism (from starvation mode) causing the symptoms Colbiegirl posted about, or stalling out weight loss.

Rachel (I forget the numbers after her name, but it's a blue shirt in her avatar) posted a link to a MFP thread about starvation mode in modern-day women, and it's a great read. It doesn't completely apply to OP, but it does address how starvation mode happens and why it's so hard to recover from.

Rae6503

We don't mean to reprimand you. I'm sorry, I might have been a little short in my reply, but I've discussed this with you before and you said then, maybe two weeks ago, that you'd add in more food slowly and I don't think you have. I think you are still afraid to gain weight back, and that is a valid fear because you probably will. But you are young, so young. You need to think of your health first, okay? The weight will come back off eventually.

Set a goal for tomorrow. Net 1000. Start with eating more at breakfast. Add a hard boiled egg or even TWO scrambled eggs. No more excuses. You know what needs to be done. Now just do it. We are all here to support you.