What is responsible for the presumed metabolic slowdown that
lags the start of any new diet? Does the body measure the
exact amount of energy you're consuming, or does it go into
starvation mode because on a diet, one's more likely to be
malnourished because perhaps the average dieter doesn't
consume a varied enough diet, or maybe doesn't eat enough
essential amino acid, or something else? Also, aside from
traditional dogma, does anyone have any research or scientifically-
backed opinions on how a diet consisting of a diverse
assortment of the essential amino acids, micronutrients, and
etc. would work as part of a very low calorie diet? As an
example assume 600 calories/day consumed. Say, 50-60 grams
of diverse amino acid/protein, some good omega 3s and other
fats, low-calorie vegetables such as spinach, peppers,
broccoli, etc.? Assuming the diversity and nutrient density
exceeds that by a significant margin of the typical low-
calorie dieter is the body still going to enter starvation
mode/metabolic slowdown even though your body has enough fat
stores? Does the stomach feeling hunger pangs trigger
metabolic slowdown in and of itself?
If anyone has any idea precisely what causes metabolic
slowdown and to which degree, and what isn't simply
correlated with it, please let me know.
Thank you for your help,
-Chad