Starvation mode

Starvation mode is a state in which the body is responding to unhealthily low caloric intake levels. The body becomes more efficient at using energy and burns lean tissue and muscle in order to conserve fat reserves. [ [http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/burning_calories/starvation.htm Dieting and Metabolism ] ] If one's goal is weight loss, cutting calories below a certain level is both dangerous to one's health and counterproductive. [ [http://www.webmd.com/content/chat_transcripts/1/108026.htm The 3-Hour Diet ] ]

Ordinarily, the body responds to reduced caloric intake by cleansing itself of toxins and burning fat reserves first, and only consumes muscle and other tissues when those reserves are exhausted. Specifically, the body burns fat after first exhausting the contents of the digestive tract along with glycogen reserves stored in muscle and liver cells. [ [http://www.healthpromoting.com/Articles/articles/therap.htm Therapeutic Fasting ] ] Then, if these sugars are depleted, the body will burn the actual muscle tissue. People who practice fasting on a regular basis, such as those adhering to caloric restricted diets, can prime their bodies to abstain from food without burning lean tissue. [ [http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/37350.htm Ask an Expert: Fasting and starvation mode ] ]

ee also

*Famine response

References