Starvation mode is a myth

Sigh.

Starvation mode is not kids in Africa. That is starvation.

What people call 'Starvation Mode' here is the metabolic slowdown from a reduced calorie intake over an extended period of time. It's a natural response that allows your body to capitalise on periods of Plenty to store food for reserve, in times of Famine.

There are no periods of Plenty in Africa.

Anorexics tend to start at low calories - around 800-900 and drop it as their weightloss slows(aka 'Starvation Mode') (read:not stops) down to dangerous levels, below what their body needs for basic functions like making your heart beat and breathing. It is at this point the energy starts to be taken from muscle and organ tissue to keep up with demand. This is Starvation.

There are people dying from anorexia on a fairly regular basis. Super low calorie is not the way to go.

Wow anorexia is a mental disorder. Not a diet.

This is gonna get good, I can tell.

This is gonna get good, I can tell.

Yup...get the popcorn ready. That's a safe snack right?! LOL

Doesn't exist. Your metabolism slows down due to leptin and thyroid hormones but it doesn't stop. Most people who starve often binge once in a while. If you are hyper dieted your body hyper compensates. For instance, after a body building comp due to water, salt and calories consumed I can put on 28lb in 4 days...

Yay for science.

There are people dying from anorexia on a fairly regular basis. Super low calorie is not the way to go.

Wow anorexia is a mental disorder. Not a diet.

True. I thought about that after I posted, making a mental connection between starving and anorexia but not thinking it through. My fingers are faster than my brain sometimes.

Thanks for the tip, I always Wondered about that Myth as well just never looed it up.

Regardless whether the starvation mode thing is a myth or not the problem I personally have with very low daily calorie consumption is that my body starts sending off humger signals that are extremely hard to fight and sometimes I end up losing it and eating something I regret just out of pure hunger. If I sustain my eating throughout the day it really makes a difference in the ease of being able to stave off those powerful hunger cravings around evenging time. Thats just me though.

The topic may be over worked but I still have not seen any scientific proof of it - it is just anecdotal at best or an old wives tale at worst

You did not search very hard then

Would you like to explain the science?

Please, be my guest.

Are you talking

1) stopping losing weight at any level of calories - that is not true
2) metabolic adaptation, or
3) loss of muscle mass over and above generally 'expected' on a non VCLD diet?

These topics have been discussed and studies showing for 2), some evidence (which is not that extensive I admit) and 3) that there is have been posted many times - hence my comment.

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Registered Texas Dietitian in quotes below on starvation mode. In case you don't know, a Registered Texas Dietitian carries a license that allows him to work and regulate what people eat inside of a prison, hospital, elementary school, retirement home, and other such settings.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/755899-registered-dietitian-in-tx-here-to-answer-questions?page=16

The idea that your body's metabolism will slow down to such an extend that you will not lose weight on a large caloric deficit is complete myth. Some people can make it seem like a reasonable assumption citing metabolic processes, and hormone functions but the real world result is that eating less makes you lose weight. If you are overweight, you do not need to worry about "starvation mode"

Yes. I am a Masters level Registered, Licensed, Dietitian/Nutritionist and I concur. The idea that going below 1200 cals (or whatever someone suspects is their BMR) will cause them to go into "starvation mode" and stop losing and/or gain weight is not true. The reason super low calorie diets don't work for most people long term is that they cannot sustain the low intake and end up eating much more and essentially gaining back whatever they lost. Also, quick weight loss lends itself to loss of lean body mass along with fat, which in turn leads to a lower overall BMR. However the change in BMR is quite small as 1 lb. of muscle burns about 6 cals per day vs 2 for 1 lb. of fat. When the person inevitably returns to higher calorie eating, they tend to gain back fat and not the lost lean body mass (ie: muscle). However, taking in fewer calories significantly from what you burn over a period of time is what leads to desired weight loss.

I'm a family physician and I also agree.
I have been eating around 1200 calories a day or just under (roughly) since Jun 2012 when I was diagnosed with diabetes and have lost 25kg (55lbs) so far. No slowing down, no plateaus, no starvation mode. I havent even added much exercise yet - I have lupus and my endocrinologist was keen for me to get some weight off before hammering my joints with running or gym work. I am finding it remarkably easy because I have removed starchy high processed carbohydrates from my diet. If you are eating lots of fresh fruit and veg, whole grains, dairy, good fats and lean protein you can actually fit a LOT of food and snacks into 1200 calories. Now I am no expert and I bow to the dietitians on the boards here as far as their specialist knowledge, but I agree- if you eat well you can get enough nutrition in your diet. If you eat crap and processed food you can't.

So I agree - if you are actually STARVING your weight loss will slow as your body adapts, but for most of us here that isnt the case and 1200 is not a magic number at which you starve. BUT if you try and eat under 1200 or 1000 calories a day and you dont know what you are doing, you run the risk of nutritional defiiciency or just getting frustrated and pigging out. I am doing this for the rest of my life and have not cheated - so am seeing slow progressive steady weight loss. This is a lifestyle not a diet and if 1000-1200 works for me I (and my endocrinologist) are more than happy for me to be there.

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Many people eat 3000 calories a day and still dont get the nutrients they need. More calories does not equal more essential vitamins/minerals/nutrients!
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Doesn't necessarily mean more nutrients but the odds of getting more nutrients while eating 3000 calories is SIGNIFICANTLY greater than the odds of getting enough while eating less than 1200 calories.
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I am getting FAR MORE nutrients on my 1,200 cal diet than I did with 3 grand of pure garbage.

1 - doesn't exist
2- Metabolic adapation as I describe is the lowered release of leptin and so thyroid hormones
3 - Loss of lean mass is of course likely as its the most 'expensive' form of calorie consumpton that the body doesn't exist

My point was regarding the OP point which it seemed you were referring the starvation mode as existing.

It depends on the definition. No one uses it consistently here.

I am getting FAR MORE nutrients on my 1,200 cal diet than I did with 3 grand of pure garbage.

I seriously doubt that. You have your calorie goal set at 900 per day. And you routinely burn most of that off. And 200 of those calories per day are from alcohol.

awwww snap! nice.

I am getting FAR MORE nutrients on my 1,200 cal diet than I did with 3 grand of pure garbage.

I seriously doubt that. You have your calorie goal set at 900 per day. And you routinely burn most of that off. And 200 of those calories per day are from alcohol.

I didn't realize that burning calories caused the nutrients you took from food to evaporate from your body before they could be absorbed. I'll stop exercising right away so I don't burn off my nutrients and become unhealthy.

ETA: she doesn't burn off most of the 900 calories she NETS either.