| The heavy storms of the winter of 2008 and the | | | | the liver to convert glycogen into glucose so we |
| Katrina disaster of 2005 exposed millions of | | | | can have the energy to find food. The irony is, if |
| Americans (including this American) to a situation | | | | there's no food at all, our bodies burn through |
| they had never encountered in their entire lives: | | | | their glucose and fat supplies even faster--so we'll |
| temporary food shortages. A basic understanding | | | | have the added ability to deal with stress. When |
| of the physiology of starvation can help you | | | | glycogen and fat are gone, the body continues to |
| weather any temporary lack of food. | | | | consume its own tissues to provide glucose to |
| While "diets" slow down your metabolism, at least | | | | power the brain. |
| for the first seven days, complete starvation | | | | And for those of you concerned about |
| speeds it up. When you eat absolutely nothing at | | | | cholesterol, be aware: Cholesterol levels go up, not |
| all, your body burns calories faster and faster. | | | | down, during starvation. Your brain needs |
| That is, it's better to nibble, if you possibly can, | | | | cholesterol to maintain heightened awareness in |
| than simply to skip meals. | | | | times of disaster. |
| Here's the reason why. | | | | Would a total starvation diet help you lose weight |
| Our bodies are programmed to deal with the food | | | | fast? Sure! The problem is, you'll probably end up |
| supplies we have. If we just consume fewer | | | | losing more muscle than fat, and suffer vitamin, |
| calories, they'll readjust their metabolic rates to | | | | mineral, and essential fatty acid deficiencies and all |
| deal with the lessened food supply. | | | | their attendant ills in the meantime. So if it's at all |
| If we consume no calories at all, however, the | | | | possible, when food is short, eat just a little as |
| adrenal glands pump out stress hormones to tell | | | | often as you can. |