By: Alissa Vieth, MPH, RD
The human body functions best when it is getting the nutrition that it needs. If the body does not get the nutrition it needs then it can have an impact on all aspects of someone’s life. The body is very wise and will change how it functions to try and protect itself from adverse side effects when it is deprived of proper nutrition.
When the body is under-fuelled by not getting the energy it needs to function then that individual may start to experience symptoms of semi-starvation. This can happen when someone is restricting food (intentionally or unintentionally), irregularly eating and or compensating for what they have eaten by over-exercising or purging which will reduce the amount of energy and nutrition the body can use. This can occur when calories aka energy is restricted by people in any body shape or is restricting for whatever reason whether that be in service of an eating disorder or a diet.
The Minnesota Starvation Experiment
During WWII the University of Minnesota studied the effects of dietary restriction and how to support recovering from a period of starvation. This ground-breaking research has provided critical information to understand the range of physical, cognitive, social, and behavioural effects of semi-starvation. The 32 young men that were volunteers for this study went through 6 months of dietary restriction followed by 3 months refeeding. The physical and psychological symptoms of starvation that these men experienced were like what we see in people with an eating disorder or restrictive eating.
A key finding from this research is that starvation syndrome symptoms returned to normal after proper nutrition and refeeding was provided. This shows that so many symptoms that an individual with an eating disorder face is in fact related to being in a semi-starvation state and that behaviour can normalize once the body gets renourished.
Below is an overview of some of the symptoms that an individual who is not getting adequate nutrition may experience. Every individual experience with starvation syndrome will be unique and deserves to be addressed.
Physical Changes:
When the body is not getting enough nutrition one’s cave person brain takes over and it sends messages to our body to change the physiology in many ways. This may include:
- Reduced heart rate and blood pressure
- Slowed metabolic rate (hypometabolism)
- Digestive/ gastrointestinal issues (constipation, bloating, abdominal pain)
- Extreme fatigue, Weakness, Dizziness, Blackouts
- Feeling cold all the time
- Decreased hormone levels, loss of period
- Loss of hunger and satiety cues
- Hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails
- Fluid retention
- Low libido
Psychological Changes:
A starved brain will have problems processing and regulating emotions, which means your mood and reactions to situations might be unpredictable. Your brain will not function as it should without adequate nutrition. Some symptoms may include:
- Depression and Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Irritability
- Loss of interest in life
- Feeling “flat” or “numb”
- Decreased concentration
- Impaired comprehension
- Diminished judgement and ability to make decisions
- Obsessive thoughts
- Decreased alertness
- Loss of control overeating (binge eating)
Behavioural Changes:
Certain behavioural traits can be a side effect of a starving brain. This can include how you socially interact or your attitudes and behaviors around eating. Sometimes the symptoms experienced can get confused with one’s personality when in fact the behaviors are caused by restriction. Some social and food related changes experienced can be:
- Loss of sense of humor
- Neglect personal hygiene
- Isolation – avoid social interactions
- Reduced sex drive
- Feeling socially inadequate
- Food obsession and preoccupation
- Cycle of binging and food guilt
- Strict meal planning and preparation
- Increased interest in food and cooking
- Very fast or slow eating
- Hording
- Increased use of spices and condiments
How to Treat Starvation Syndrome:
Starvation syndrome can be treated and reversed. Consistent and adequate physical re-nourishment and weight restoration are essential to reverse symptoms. Many of the starvation symptoms will persist during recovery until the brain is well nourished again and all organs are functioning optimally.
Seeking the support from a Registered Dietitian to help with setting out a nutrition treatment plan will be important. The Dietitian can help you with things including physical re-nourishment, weight restoration and nutrition rehabilitation.