Dieting forces the brain to eat itself - report

It’s emerged that in order to conserve energy, the body’s starvation mode kicks in and brain cells eat themselves, like other parts of the body.

SCIENTISTS CLAIM DIETERS struggle to lose weight because denying themselves food actually causes them to feel hungier.

A lack of nutrition stimulates the body’s starvation mode, causing the production of fatty acids, which turn up the hunger signal in the brain, ultimately forcing brain cells to eat themselves, according to a report in The Telegraph.

Tests on mice found that stopping the brain cells from eating themselves – a process known as autophagy – prevented levels of hunger from rising in response to starvation. Researches claim the findings could lead to new and effective weight loss treatments.

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More

Dieting forces the brain to eat itself - report

Read more by Nick Collins in The Telegraph>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.