Dieting guru Dr Michael Mosley has taken to social media to dispel a common weight loss myth and highlight the significant benefits of fasting.
The 67-year old TV host and journalist posted a video on his Facebook page on Tuesday (May 21), debunking the negative theory surrounding the ‘starvation mode’ diet.
He explained: “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 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.”
In a caption accompanying the video, Dr Michael added: “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 endorsed the Fast 800 – a 12-week programme he created to assist dieters in losing weight and maintaining it – complete with meal plans, exercise tips and personal support.
Earlier this week, Dr Michael also shared a straightforward technique that can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and aid in self-soothing.
Chatting on his BBC Podcast Deep Calm that mastering simple breathing techniques can unlock astonishing health benefits. He emphasised that while we breathe automatically, conscious control over our breathing can activate the body’s relaxation response, which is crucial for rest and recovery.
The health expert described this response as the polar opposite of the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism, explaining: “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.”
And highlighting the importance of breathing exercises, Dr Michael pointed out that even a short daily routine can have profound effects. He noted: “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.”