MYTHBUSTERS: Starvation Mode

koosdel

Didn't read it. Didn't have to. MythBusters is stupid.

PJilly

Starvation mode isn't a myth. People who say you won't lose weight because you're in starvation mode are oversimplifying the concept and may even be misinformed, but that doesn't mean starvation mode doesn't exist. If you you don't give your body adequate fuel, your metabolism will slow down to survive on the fuel you do give it. You may still lose weight, but if you could lose the same amount of weight (and likely a higher percentage of it from fat) while eating more, why wouldn't you want to?

This exactly. I like to eat.

Me too. It amazes me how many people seemingly don't like to.

TK421NotAtPost

Great, another topic where people will dig their heels into their "all-or-nothing" alliances and put up another internet-showdown between brave cyber-warriors.... All the while ignoring the fact that the answer is probably a bit more complicated and highly context dependent.

Oh, except for you Kristhin. :flowerforyou:

MrsCon40

Starvation mode isn't a myth. People who say you won't lose weight because you're in starvation mode are oversimplifying the concept and may even be misinformed, but that doesn't mean starvation mode doesn't exist. If you you don't give your body adequate fuel, your metabolism will slow down to survive on the fuel you do give it. You may still lose weight, but if you could lose the same amount of weight (and likely a higher percentage of it from fat) while eating more, why wouldn't you want to?

This exactly. I like to eat.

Me too. It amazes me how many people seemingly don't like to.

^^ This!

Kristhin

I don't know, this article isn't really scientific study, its an informational blog that summarizes some experiements that were done.

Plus I see how it makes sense that adaptive thermogenesis = starvation mode on a scientific standpoint, but I also associate that with effects from long term starvation that includes other, more severe symptoms such as hair loss, languo, etc.

Kristhin

Thank you TK ♥♥♥

lodro

I agree that "starvation mode" is a bad term. However it obvious from many personal stories on these boards that metabolism adjusts and if you eat too little you won't lose as quickly as you would if you eat more, additionally you'll lose muscle instead of fat. So when it comes down to it, wouldn't you rather lose by eating more? Wouldn't you rather retain as much muscle as possible?

Of course our metabolism adjusts to calorie restriction! That's what it's supposed to do. Also, most people on MFP will never encounter starvation mode.

Actually, there is a reason why the body stores fat, and stores it around organs too. I often see women on MFP who strive for an insanely low fat percentage. So much so that their fat percentage actually translates to: "malnourished".

myofibril

I don't know, this article isn't really scientific study, its an informational blog that summarizes some experiements that were done.

Yes, you are right there. It does however at least reference and consider the major studies surrounding this area unlike the mythbuster blog. It also gives the references for follow up.

Plus I see how it makes sense that adaptive thermogenesis = starvation mode on a scientific standpoint, but I also associate that with effects from long term starvation that includes other, more severe symptoms such as hair loss, languo, etc.

Yes, unfortunately the concept of a "famine response" or "starvation mode" does usually get skewed by some people talking about actual starvation (which is more severe than underfeeding obviously.)

I do think the concept of starvation mode is poorly applied and overblown on these forums. That doesn't mean that people shouldn't be informed or aware of its existence.

ninerbuff

If people DON'T know it: if you reduce your caloric intake dramatically, your body's metabolism will slow. If you continue that calorie deficit for a sustained time, it will slow even more. Why? For survival. This is not disputed by ANY science.
Logic tells you that if you eat the same amount of calories that your metabolism is, you will neither gain or lose mass. So if you're eating 1000 calories or less and not losing mass, then your BMR has lowered to that level.

BeeElMarvin

Please everyone - read this!!!

http://fattyfightsback.blogspot.com/2009/03/mtyhbusters-starvation-mode.html

But the bid thing is misses is where the weight comes from. If you don't eat enough your body will break down muscle to use as fuel, not just fat. If you burn muscle, your metabolism slows down. Starvation mode does not mean you wont lose weight, it is when you slow your metabolism down and when you eat normal again you gain as your BMR would be lower than what MFP would predict due to loss of muscle mass.

I agree with you, but this isn't what the ongoing controversy here on MFP boards is about! When people stall in weight loss, the very first thing they are told on these boards by many of the resident experts is "you are not eating enough!". If you don't eat enough, you will lose weight. .. it may not be healthy, it may not be all fat, it may be some muscle, but you will lose weight. Those using reduction surgery, lap band, even "The Biggest Loser" would not lose weight if "they weren't eating enough to lose weight".

heatherdoll40

If starvatin mode isn't real then explain to me how I got fat eating no breakfast no lunch maybe a snack and then a good dinner. For years that was how I ate busy busy busy too late for breakfast busy busy no lunch and dinner maybe if I was lucky would top at 500 calories snacks that I may have had would drive my calorie intake another 200- 300. I've had all the blood tests there are no hormonal reasons I was 205 pounds, I know what I ate and I ate like that for 10 years.
Why are so many people saying I hardly eat anything and they are fat. How is it that as soon as I started to figure out (using this site) how much I needed to eat, and ate regularly spaced meals, more food than I have eaten in years, then I started to lose weight. Same thing with my mom eat more lose weight how does that work sounds absolutely backwards from what you are told "eat less and you'll lose weight".

BeeElMarvin

Well, I sure am glad this is all sorted out. I would hate for anyone to be confused.

bwah hah hah!

Jorra

This blog ignores the many scientific, reproducable, peer-reviewed studies that confirm the fact that starvation mode (or famine response, or adaptive thermogenesis) DOES happen. And the person clearly didn't actually read the Minnesota study, as she takes many statements and statistics from the study out of context and misuses them to justify her ideas. Really not very credible.

Starvation mode, as a concept, IS often applied too generally and overused - but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

A different point of view:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/230930-starvation-mode-how-it-works

And just some of the research:

http://www.ajcn.org/content/53/4/826.full.pdf+html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2613433?dopt=Abstract
http://www.ajcn.org/content/49/1/93.full.pdf+html
http://www.ajcn.org/content/45/2/391.full.pdf+html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6694559&dopt=AbstractPlus
http://www.ajcn.org/content/57/2/127.full.pdf
http://www.ajcn.org/content/51/2/167.abstract?ck=nck
http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v32/n3/abs/0803720a.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0887/is_n7-8_v15/ai_18602507/
http://www.amazon.com/Biology-Human-Starvation-I/dp/0816672342/ref=pd_sim_b_3
http://www.amazon.com/Biology-Human-Starvation-II/dp/0816672334/ref=pd_sim_b_2

I'm gonna have to say that Nature and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition are more reputable than a blogspot.