Dr Michael Mosley explains major fasting benefit as he debunks weight loss myth
Diet guru Dr Michael Mosley has taken to Facebook to dispel a common weight loss myth and highlight the benefits of fasting.
The 67 year old TV presenter and journalist posted a video on his page on Tuesday (May 21) to debunk the negative theory behind the 'starvation mode' diet. "The idea is that if you lose weight rapidly then your body goes crazy and you eat loads of junk food and put all the weight on again," he started off.
He went on to say: "Now this is a myth. It's based on a study that was performed shortly after the Second World War and is actually about low protein, rather than low calories and such. Nonetheless, it's hung around in the public consciousness ever since. Study after study has shown the rate in which you lose weight has no impact on whether you regain it."
Alongside the video, Dr Michael wrote: "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."
He then recommended the Fast 800 - a 12-week programme he created to help dieters lose weight and keep it off - complete with meal plans, workout advice and personal support.
Earlier this week, Dr Michael also shared a simple technique that can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and aid in relaxation.
On his BBC Podcast Deep Calm, he shared how simple breathing techniques can have a significant impact. He highlighted that although breathing is largely an automatic process, studies show it's also an easy way to activate one of the most beneficial physiological systems - the relaxation response.
The doctor explained this as the opposite of the 'fight or flight response', stating: "It's part of the parasympathetic nervous system, an intricate network of nerve fibres that connects and regulates organs throughout your body, helping us to rest and digest, repair and restore reducing pain and inflammation, refreshing your mind and improving immune function, regulating our body, brain and energy levels."
Dr Michael further clarified that just five minutes a day of breathing exercises could make a difference. He added: "In a 2023 study, researchers found that after just four weeks of slow breathing, participants had significantly lower levels of amyloid beta, which is a protein linked to the development of Alzheimer's."
