Starvation mode and ‘The Phi Life’
This morning was one of those ‘blank mornings’.
You know that feeling when you stare at the computer screen with so much on your mind that you don’t know where to start?
That’s where I was.
I wanted introduce my new project ‘phi-life.com’ but, the words just weren’t reaching my finger tips.
So I decided to take a break and answer a couple emails.
One thing led to another, and now I have a short story to share that’s a great introduction to phi-life.
Please see the emails below:
EMAIL FROM BART*****
Question for you.
In one of your blog posts you talked about the myth of starvation mode. Yesterday I just read a different blog claiming starvation mode is a serious threat to weight loss. Is this guy and his starvation modes stories another scam?
Am I correct in saying that the starvation mode only happens when you don’t eat for prolonged periods of time but not if you don’t eat for 4-5 hours?
thx
MY RESPONSE*********
‘Starvation mode’ DOES occur. But it only happens after the PROLONGED absence of food. At this point essentially used up your body fat stores and have no choice but to start consuming essential structures like your internal organs to just to stay alive.
BART’S RESPONSE*****
thanx,
I just cannot understand why well educated pros keep telling us that stuff!!! so stupid!!!
I am so happy that I found out about your site.
MY RESPONSE********
Well, Mostly these pros are decent people that are actually trying to help, unfortunately most of them really aren’t educated to the point where they can properly analyze scientific research. They might be experienced with helping people lose weight, but they’re usually not as educated as you might expect.
When you have the time you might find this podcast interesting ==>
http://www.phi-life.com/diet-and-fitness-fads-mixing-up-the-what-how-and-why/
END ********************
If you get the chance check out www.Phi-Life.com, a new weekly podcast where John Barban and I discuss a lot of the logic and fallacies behind health and nutrition.
This isn’t a scientific discussion as much as it is an exploration into all things ‘Health’ with the running theme of “Fitting it all together” while allowing John and I to have some fun with it all (We can’t be all science, all serious, all the time).
The audio on this first podcast is a bit temperamental, but I promise next weeks podcast will be nice and clear.
BP
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Wow, great timing on this. I’ve spent the past three weeks in a fugue, researching like crazy trying to separate out weight loss and fitness fact from fiction. My frustration level has skyrocketed every time I read two reasonable, expert opinions that completely and totally contradict each other. I’ll definitely be adding this podcast to my list.
great idea with the blog! I have to say that I think the health and fitness industry has really beaten to death the idea of providing “scientific validation” for their products. I’m at the point where I cringe at the idea of someone trying to quote ANOTHER study about something that no one really understands.
Everyone tries to quote pseudo-science to convince themselves that they are doing the right thing in the gym while deep down inside they know they are beating their head against the wall but just won’t admit it to themselves.
Having said that, I like that you guys (yourself and John Barban) are showing REAL science to dis-prove all the myths and crap that’s floating around. I think some people will take a while to come around because the truth will confront their emotions but they need to be confronted and pushed out of their comfort zone.
By having the courage to blaze the trail others will follow and there will be better education for all of us on how to train natural. Good stuff!!
Go Aussies Go!!!! :p
Hi Brad. I’m about 100 lbs overweight. Years ago i did a religious fast (LOL) for about 15 days. It was easy once you started. I actually stopped because they were ending the fast not because i felt any specific longing to. I did lose some weight but back then i was slim anyway so didnt even really take notice (so long ago). I know some other pple lost quite a few pounds back then too, specifically the ones with more weight to lose- and thats me now. there are quite a few websites with people who did long fasts and feel fine.
So what is actually healthy fasting? Can i just fast for awhile until i feel the actual desire to eat? or is there some plan to follow? i have more than enough fat now for my body to use up so……….. whats your take?
Btw b4 i get a lecture i have already began working out, eating healthy- an overall healthier lifestyle but for some reason i am attracted to the idea of fasting. I do plan to do a 7 day fast tho, just to see how it feels. anything longer depends on how i feel, further research and your answer in part.
Hey Brad,
I was wondering what your thoughts are on the “Paleo Diet” in all its forms(mainly the high fat intake).
Regards,
Al
HI Al,
Really, I haven’t had time to look into it. The part that intrigues me is the strength of the evidence behind the idea that ‘this is what we ate’. Unfortunately, this type of research and it’s methods are far outside of my area of expertise.
B
Hey Brad,
Are you referring to what could be considered, a lack of strength in these studies? The main arguement I hear coming from some of these writers is not that we should replicate what our ancestors ate(food re-enactment), but rather we should be trying to create a metabolic mileu of what could be considered biochemically efficient prior to the introduction of neolithic agents. I find this blog particularly informative:www.paleonu.com
Thanks,
Al
Nope not at all, simply my inability to properly analyze this type of research. I don’t like to pretend to be something that I am not. I’m good at metabolic pathways, fasting, fat loss, that type of thing. Properly analyzing fossilized fecals records or whatever they do to deduce what neanderthals ate is simply out of my scope of expertise.
B
Hi Brad,
I’ve been studying the web for some good weight loss programs and one of them insisted (amongst other things) that no matter how low the daily calories intake is, a person should always eat a couple of small fruits, or unprocessed fruit juice to keep the brain functioning properly during the day. What is your opinion on this? Since your program obviously proposes periods of not eating at all, maybe you can write a few lines on how does it effect our brain, if it has any effect at all.
Thank you in advance.
Sicnerely,
Branko
Branko
Even when fasted your blood sugar remains stable, fruit and fruit juices are not needed for this purpose.
B