Starvation mode: is it really a myth?

CeriGrindrod
CeriGrindrod Posts: 120 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Do you think? I just read that 500 calories a day is ok and still a deficit and you will lose muscle. There's no such things pas starvation mode?

I disagree.

Replies

  • Meerataila
    Meerataila Posts: 1,885 Member
    Adaptive thermogenesis exists, the debates on minimizing its effects when losing weight are endless and involve both physical activity and the size of the deficit, the gender, age, starting weight, and other attributes of the volunteers in the studies, and for all I know the phases of the moon and the alignment of the stars.

    Instead of getting bogged down in this sort of thing (except it's interesting to read articles and abstracts about it), it might be a good idea to realize that eating only 500 calories a day will probably make you weak, tired, grumpy, foggy headed, and in general a lot more miserable and inactive than a smaller deficit.
  • Supertact
    Supertact Posts: 466 Member
    Use the search button, not start another topic. This topic has been discussed hundreds of times.
  • mactaffy84
    mactaffy84 Posts: 398 Member
    Use the damn search button, not start another topic. This topic has been discussed hundreds of times.

    Geez, be nice. Sometimes the search button just doesn't work. And you don't have to open up the topic; therefore, one can assume that someone starting a post on a topic that has already been done isn't hurting you or anyone else! Doing this just makes you appear quite mean.

    OP: I don't think starvation mode exists. At least, not in the sense and way that most people on here throw the term about. Meerata has it right!
  • vismundcygnus27
    vismundcygnus27 Posts: 98 Member
    No, "starvation mode" (at least in the way dieters frequently talk about it) doesn't exist - you're metabolism is not gonna slow down because of a short-term deficit in calories.

    However, eating 500 calories a day isn't "starvation mode". It's actual starving. You'll be tired, irritable, get sick more easily, and yes, you would eventually lose muscle mass if your body couldn't find enough energy elsewhere. Take care of yourself, please.
  • CeriGrindrod
    CeriGrindrod Posts: 120 Member
    Use the damn search button, not start another topic. This topic has been discussed hundreds of times.

    Ok don't cry over spilt milk.... Bless you
  • CeriGrindrod
    CeriGrindrod Posts: 120 Member
    Use the damn search button, not start another topic. This topic has been discussed hundreds of times.

    Geez, be nice. Sometimes the search button just doesn't work. And you don't have to open up the topic; therefore, one can assume that someone starting a post on a topic that has already been done isn't hurting you or anyone else! Doing this just makes you appear quite mean.

    OP: I don't think starvation mode exists. At least, not in the sense and way that most people on here throw the term about. Meerata has it right!

    Thank you I read that persons reply and thought, woahhh ouch, sorry .... *goes and sits on the naughty step and thinks wisely about my ways* conclusion: ignore him and find out my question and answer some nicer people
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    Please not this thread again. A huge fight will ultimately ensue. Can you starve, of course you can. People will indeed starve to death if deprived of food long enough. You should note that when people do starve to death, they are not fat. They are skin and bones. So does a mythical mode exist where your body stops burning fat because you are eating too little, no, it does not. Metabolic slowdown can occur that will lower your TDEE but not so much so that fat loss completely stops. Now brace yourself for the sh**storm this thread is about to start.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Will your body magically hold onto fat at such a low calorie count...nope. Just won't happen. But here are things that could 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/

    You decide if you want to take the risk of permanent health problems. For me, well I'll take slower weight loss eating at a moderate deficit.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Use the damn search button, not start another topic. This topic has been discussed hundreds of times.

    Yet here you are...must have caught your attention...even though it has been discussed hundreds of times. Did you open the thread just to tell the OP that you didn't want to discuss "starvation mode"???

    I have used that search button several times...I personally find the search results less than desirable.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    in
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    The reason this is asked every hour every day is that button at the end when you're closing out your diary. I wish MFP would be rid of that little blurb about starvation mode.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Please not this thread again. A huge fight will ultimately ensue. Can you starve, of course you can. People will indeed starve to death if deprived of food long enough. You should note that when people do starve to death, they are not fat. They are skin and bones. So does a mythical mode exist where your body stops burning fat because you are eating too little, no, it does not. Metabolic slowdown can occur that will lower your TDEE but not so much so that fat loss completely stops. Now brace yourself for the sh**storm this thread is about to start.

    While I agree that "starvation mode" has been discussed waaaay too much...so have most of the topics in this discussion forum. How many threads have been started about...bad bad sugar...low carb...VLCDs...etc etc.

    Face it...as people joing MFP...they have the same questions as the previous new members have. Oh well...maybe one day someone will say something...different!
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    technically it is very unhealthy to starve yourself to diet. That why MFP has you eat too few calories today? Now if you ate your calories and hit all of the recommend daily mirconutrients.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Do you think? I just read that 500 calories a day is ok and still a deficit and you will lose muscle. There's no such things pas starvation mode?

    I disagree.
    I'm glad you disagree that 500 calories a day is not okay, because it is not. You will lost muscled along the way.

    Sure, starvation mode does exist but not to the common dieter. In order to be in starvation mode, you have to have lost a certain amount of fat and muscle and are pretty much emaciated. People who are overweight or in a healthy weight range do not go into starvation mode. A lot of people think a certain amount of calories triggers starvation mode and it's simply not true.

    Read up on the Minnesota Starvation Experiment and you will learn a lot.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Use the damn search button, not start another topic. This topic has been discussed hundreds of times.
    Mmmmmm.....you the forum police? :wink:

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