Fasting and Metabolism

Factual Questions
1

This thread in IMHO –How long have you ever gone without eating? – got me wondering about fasting and metabolism.

I’ve often heard / read that if you don’t eat you damage your metabolism beyond repair. People suggest that by fasting for extended periods of time you lower your metabolism and hence gain weight more quickly once you do start eating again.

Is this true? If so, is it reversible or do you truly get stuck with slower metabolism?

2

If you don’t eat, you’ll lower your metabolic rate for two reasons. One, you won’t be able to exercise, and exercise increases yourheart rate which increases your metabolism. Two, you’re body will slow down in order to survive.

So, once you begin to eat again, those things will be reversed. Well, anyway, the latter. As to the former, it is up to you.