DR MICHAEL MOSLEY DEBUNKS 'STARVATION MODE' MYTH AS HE EXPLAINS HOW FASTING CAN HELP WEIGHT LOSS

Weight loss guru Dr Michael Mosley has busted the common dieting myth of 'starvation mode', insisting that fasting doesn't halt losing the pounds.

The health expert, famed for his 5:2 and Fast 800 diets, has debunked the idea that rapid weight shedding leads to a rebound in weight gain due to uncontrollable junk food cravings. He explained: "Have you heard of starvation mode? The idea is that if you lose weight particularly rapidly, then your body goes crazy and you eat loads of junk food and you put all that weight on again.

"Now this is a myth. It's based on a study, which was performed shortly after the Second World War. It was actually about low protein rather than low calories as such. Nonetheless, it has hung around in the public consciousness ever since. Study after study has consistently shown the rate at which you lose weight has no impact on whether you regain it."

Dismissing fears that his popular fasting-based eating plans could trigger 'starvation mode', Dr Mosley shared in a post: "The opposite is true. Studies have revealed that some forms of fasting can actually boost the metabolism due to an increase in blood levels of norepinephrine as a result of a decrease in serum glucose, which stimulates your metabolism and breaks down body fat cells."

Dr Mosley has debunked a common dieting myth on his website, stating: "One of the most popular dieting myths is 'starvation mode', the claim that if you stop eating your metabolic rate immediately slows down as your body tries to conserve your fat stores."

The health guru and brain behind the 5:2 and Fast 800 diets explained that evidence doesn't support this belief, reports Bristol Live. He elaborated on the findings from an experiment, saying: "In a recent experiment, researchers took 11 healthy volunteers and asked them to stay in a metabolic chamber (a room where they precisely measure your metabolic rate) living on nothing but water.

"By day 3 their metabolic rates had risen by 14%. This was probably due to a rise in a hormone called noradrenaline, which is known to burn fat. If they had continued then, I'm sure, the volunteers' metabolic rates would eventually have fallen, not least because they would have begun to lose significant amounts of weight. But, in the short term, there is no evidence that starvation mode is anything other than a myth."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also chimed in on the topic of fasting, revealing that it's part of his "balanced lifestyle". He described intermittent fasting as an "important discipline" and shared that he typically abstains from eating on Mondays, which helps him manage his "weakness for sugary things", particularly his fondness for Coca-Cola.

Intermittent fasting is not just about what you eat, but when you eat. The concept revolves around eating only during a specific time period, giving your body a break from digesting food. Some proponents argue that intermittent fasting mirrors the traditional eating patterns of our ancestors, who would have to fast due to lack of food until they had hunted or foraged for it. It's advised to refuel the body with sufficient nutrients once the fast is over.

2024-05-07T13:40:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd