The word starvation and diet will likely fill many people with horror and the term starvation diet will not make them feel much better. However, American government scientists have carried out research into a starvation diet to see exactly what impact it has upon the brain, the body and the ageing process, not to mention bodyweight.

What is the starvation diet?

The starvation diet basically allows those participating to eat what they want on day one and then fast themselves on day two, eat what they want on day three, fast themselves on day three, etc, etc. So you will end up fasting on alternate days and eating on alternate days with no limit to the amount of food and the type of food you are allowed to eat.

Does the starvation diet delay the ageing process?

Scientists in America undertook research on mice whereby half of the group were given access to food on a daily basis and the others were allowed to eat as much as they wanted and then fasted for 24 hours on alternate days. The results of the research are starting to say the least and while further research is required there are a number of aspects which will surprise you.

Boosting brainpower

It was found that those mice which ate for one day and then fasted on the next day, etc, etc saw a significant increase in their brainpower. In simple terms it is believed that those animals under the starvation diet needed to secrete less insulin and thereby retained a more active brain pattern. It is believed that the starvation diet also allowed the brain to revitalise and generate new cells on a more regular basis which in itself led to increased brainpower.

Memory loss

One of the main aspects associated with ageing is memory loss and again experiments undertaken by American researchers show that calorie restricted diets would appear to improve the memory of older people. In a bizarre turn about it seems that starving yourself on a regular basis inhibits the genes that promote ageing and seems to switch on various genes which slow down the ageing process. Quite why or how this occurs remains something of a mystery and more research will be carried out in the near future.

Protecting your heart

One aspect of the research into the starvation diet or the fasting diet as it has become known which was surprising to say the least is the impact it had upon the heart and the circulatory system. It is believed that reducing your calorie intake to zero on alternate days allows the body’s defence mechanism to kick in and protect the heart and circulatory system. It is also believed that the body is then more attuned to coping with stress which as we know in the modern day is a major problem for people.

The long-term impact upon the circulatory system for those involved in the starvation diet will need more investigation but it seems that the body automatically kicks into defence mode when your calorie intake is reduced on a regular basis.

Is the starvation diet feasible?

One issue which seems to have stopped scientists researching the starvation diet up until now is the fact that it was assumed many humans would not have the determination to see it through. We automatically assume that we need to eat on a regular basis, we need to eat certain types of food and need access to fluids each and every day. If, as these experiments seem to show, there are significant benefits associated with the starvation diet then perhaps more people will look at potentially reducing their calorie intake on a regular basis to boost the body’s defence mechanism?

However, one of the main stumbling blocks with regards to the fasting diet or the starvation diet is the ability to ensure people retain interest in the short, medium and longer term. It is a lifestyle decision, it will change your life forever and it will have an impact upon your eating and drinking habits. Would you be willing to try a starvation diet?

Further research is required

Initial findings of the research into the starvation diet would appear to show that there are benefits in relation to the body’s defence mechanism, the ageing process and a whole host of medical conditions associated with ageing. It was particularly interesting to see how various genes associated with ageing are switched on and switched off and indeed if there are any other ways in which these particular genes can be controlled.

There is no doubt that what you eat what you drink, when you eat and when you drink do have a major impact upon your overall health, both physically and mentally. This research by American scientists has thrown up a number of interesting points and interesting factors and while some will argue about the relevance of experiments on mice, it is known that some of the factors discussed today are relevant for humans.

Finding a diet to suit your life

The world of diets is very complicated, attracts rumours/counter rumours and often shrouded in mystery with literally thousands of different types to choose from. The starvation diet, the fasting diet, is one particular diet which may well appeal to you but if not, there are certainly other ones for you to consider. In order for a diet to be successful you need to ensure that it is suitable and compatible with your lifestyle and indeed the endgame is exactly what you are looking for.

Many of us have started diets only to fall by the wayside relatively quickly because of the life we lead, the foods we are able to eat and our social lives. However, this very interesting research into the starvation diet by American researchers would seem to confirm that quite literally what we eat can impact upon the quality of our lives, our health and our overall lifespan. Surely it is something to consider for the future?