QUOTE from Dr Fung (emphasis mine):
“Breakdown of muscle tissue happens only at extremely low levels of body fat—approximately 4 percent—which is not something most people need to worry about. At this point, there is no further body fat to be mobilized for energy, and lean tissue is consumed. The human body has evolved to survive episodic periods of starvation. Fat is stored energy and muscle is functional tissue. Fat is burned first. This situation is akin to storing a huge amount of firewood but deciding to burn your sofa instead. It’s stupid. Why do we assume the human body is so stupid? The body preserves muscle mass until fat stores become so low that it has no other choice. Studies of alternate daily fasting, for example, show that the concern over muscle loss is largely misplaced. Alternate daily fasting over seventy days decreased body weight by 6 percent, but fat mass decreased by 11.4 percent. Lean mass (including muscle and bone) did not change at all. Significant improvements were seen in LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Growth hormone increased to maintain muscle mass. Studies of eating a single meal per day found significantly more fat loss, compared to eating three meals per day, despite the same caloric intake. Significantly, no evidence of muscle loss was found.” [1]
NOTE – What does it say?
Text Why do we assume the human body is so stupid?
The human body has evolved to survive episodic periods of starvation.
Text
Alternate daily fasting over seventy days decreased body weight by 6 percent, but fat mass decreased by 11.4 percent.
Text
Significantly, no evidence of muscle loss was found.
Text
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SOURCE – Footnotes:
[1] Quote from The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss by Dr. Jason Fung; Greystone Books (March 3, 2016). Page 242.
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Key: Fung-10-30.28 Last Revision: 05/04/2021.