"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

This has been bugging me for a while.

As summer approaches, a lot of people are posting their diets for critique. A lot (because they are on a limited time scale) are fairly low calorie, circa 1200-1800kcal per day. I've seen quite a few regular posters on here suggesting that low calorie diets lead to "starvation mode", well I wanted to point out that this is simply untrue.

True "starvation mode" only occurs when you get below the essential level of fat that a human should carry, for a man this is below 5%. Not many people (if any at all) will approach that level of leanness, but some competitive bodybuilders might approach that for a few days around a show.

Essentially, what really happens when you drop calories low is that you subconsciously drop activity to match (unless you're actively monitoring it that is). The "Energy Out" side of the energy balance equation reduces, and therefore you see a drop off in weight loss. You are NOT entering starvation mode when this occurs. Other annoying things like water weight and the fact that fat loss is never linear can make people think their approach isn't working.

Full anyone interested the full article is here: Are you in starvation mode or starving for the truth?

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

Lyle mcdonald seems to think it exists, something to do with cortisol, dont know the ins and outs though!!

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

Only if you chronically diet with a VLCD (very low calorie diet) for extended periods dude. You can off set small drops in metabolism with refeeds, yes, as metabolism will drop slightly with any diet. You won't enter starvation mode though.

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

I actually posted an article from Lyle I the diet section. Was a good read actually.

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

Cortisol, the stress hormone is elevated when the body is out to extremes ( also during mental stress and lack of sleep) when cortisol is elevated, fat loss can be greatly blunted...hence the term starvation mode (holding onto what stores it has)

Periodic refeeds can control the hormones like cortisol and leptin to aleviate this effect however

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

If it didnt exist, you would be able to eat nothing for a week and lose weight. Which doesnt work...

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

If you ate nothing for 7 days I garuantee you would loose weight.

Not the weight you wish to be, but a fair amount all the same

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

Lyle covers what you need to now about it here: Lean Body Mass Maintenance and Metabolic Rate Slowdown – Q&A

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

U would be heading down the road to crackheadsville style physique lol

 

"Starvation Mode" is a myth.

Been dieting only on fresh Pomegranate juice and believe me after a week I was leaner than lean! lol