What Keys & Danny taught us about metabolism – Zoë Harcombe
Executive summary
* This is the first of a two part note looking at metabolism.
* A note from July 2024 shared “What the Hadza taught us about metabolism.” This looked at the ‘doing more’ aspect of metabolism. It concluded that our bodies adjust to match the energy burned with the energy we eat and vice versa.
* There are a number of classic studies that have looked at the other side of the calorie theory – the ‘eating less’ aspect of metabolism. Among the best are the Francis Benedict study from 1917; the Dr Ancel Keys Minnesota Starvation Experiment (1950) and a 2016 academic study of the American TV show, The Biggest Loser.
* This week’s note summarises the findings from the Minnesota Starvation Experiment and the academic study of The Biggest Loser. Next week’s note looks at the classic Benedict study of forced calorie restriction of 12 young healthy men to achieve a 10% weight loss.
