Fasting & Starvation For Weight Loss Debunked
Perhaps you have been wondering why most diets don’t help with long-term weight loss? It’s sad, but most dieters gain back the weight they’ve lost within a few months. Sadly, weight rebound is a basic ingredient in the commercial weight reduction programs being hawked about these days. The reason is that commercial diets in many cases are so low in calories your body goes into a starvation mode and starts losing muscle. This decrease of muscle is the true cause and perpetrator behind weight rebound.
Starvation mode means the body perceives the process as stress and thus shuts down non-essential functions such as reproduction and gut activity. In this mode, the body also produces stress hormones and stores up whatever little food you eventually eat. This is why prolonged fasting is characterized by initial rapid weight loss (water loss), then loss of muscle mass, then no loss after the first 2 weeks or even weight gain afterwards.
The human body is made up of 65 -70% water, it’s only natural for us to lose the water weight first and fast when we starve. Starvation mode is the body’s protective mechanism, this is why people can survive without food for long periods of time.
Did you know a pound of body fat stores up to 3500 calories? In a hypothetical case, you’re metabolizing 2000 calories; if you quit eating you could lose about a pound of weight in two days. The reason you cannot completely eliminate calorie consumption must be taken seriously. The body’s real functions are much more complicated than most dieters understand, and you can lose a pound of muscle at the same speed for every pound of body fat you lose. The reason for this dates back to our early ancestors and hunters.
In that age, the body was made to lose muscle mass on any occasion of starvation. This was an internal safety mechanism that increased the human life span in case of famine. The genetic target of the human body would be to burn fewer calories, retain less muscle mass, and have more body fat in case of famine. This was how man lived for thousands of years.
So now you are probably wondering how you can prevent weight rebound. In order to slim down, you must burn off more calories than you consume. You should not consume fewer calories than your body needs or you’ll lose muscle and increase you odds of future weight rebound. According to research, the key to restricting reduction of muscle would be to place your body in the right calorie shortfall. First, discover the calories you need to burn fat daily using the safe methods.
Fasting & Starvation Principles
When you fast, you normally won’t eat or drink anything except water for a particular period of time. While fasting can be done for several reasons, it’s typically advocated for those people who are scheduled to get specific medical exams, including lipid and glucose tests. When preparing for a medical test, you want to fast for at least eight hours. Fasting for religious reasons may entail fasting for a day, a weekend or even several weeks at a time.
Starvation is a serious deficiency of nutrients needed to preserve human life. In addition to neglecting to have sufficient quantities of protein, carbs, fat, minerals and vitamins, people who don’t drink fluids might also be classified as starving. Categorized by the particular nutrient deficiency, people may grow different illnesses, including pellagra, beriberi or scurvy. Neglecting to have sufficient quantities of riboflavin and vitamins B12, A, K, and D may also result in unique types of starvation.
Differences in Fasting and Starvation
The main difference between fasting and starvation is the severity of symptoms experienced. Individuals for a brief period of time may experience relatively minor side effects like hunger, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, low blood pressure and tiredness. By comparison, those who are starving can grow brain dysfunction, heart failure, and convulsions and possibly die of starvation if the condition continues. The longer a person fasts, the more likely they’ll be exposed to some sort of starvation.
If you must fast, BE SAFE!
Before beginning a fast, talk to your healthcare provider. People who take certain prescription drugs or have long-term health conditions like anorexia, heart disease or diabetes shouldn’t participate in a fast. Most fasts that last no more than five days can be done safely at home when sufficient fluid consumption is incorporated and exercise is restricted. Individuals who fast for longer than five days should be under the supervision of a seasoned healthcare provider.
In your effort to slim down quickly, you may decide that fasting is the quickest and best option. Here at GoodHealth.ng, we advocate good eating practices. However, if you insist on a weight loss fast, remember that most medical specialists and dietitians warn against the practice of fasting for weight reduction. It is often shown that prolonged fasting isn’t an effective method to drop weight, and additionally, it may be hazardous to your health.
Food fuels the body and is your main source of sustenance. While food is critical for survival, you may sometimes want or desire to fast for religious or personal reasons. Understanding the difference between fasting and starving is vital for maintaining optimum wellness. Talk to a doctor before beginning a fast.
Author: Dr. Nse
