Dieting Can Make You Lose Your Mind

One of the most famous calorie-restriction studies was done on conscientious objectors during World War II by Dr. Ancel Keys. 36 healthy young men who had been excused from armed service for ethical objections agreed to a year long diet of sorts. It would include 3 months of preparation, 6 months of semi-starvation (designed to make the men lose 25% of their body weight), and then 3 months of refeeding.

Their average daily calories during the semistarvation period was about 1600 calories a day. I find the number 1600 calories especially compelling, for a standard weight loss diet recommended for a woman is usually about 1200 calories daily.

What was it like for them? Well, horrible. They described

lethargy
irritability
anxiety
dizziness
cold intolerance
muscle soreness
hair loss
reduced coordination
edema
ringing in the ears
did not have the capability to concentrate
sex drive disappeared
obsessed with food, eating with elaborate rituals
one became suicidal
another cut off three of his fingers

In the aftermath of the study, "many, like Roscoe Hinkle, put on substantial weight: Boy did I add weight. Well, that was flab. You don't have muscle yet. And get[ting] the muscle back again, boy that's no fun."

What strikes me the most about this study is how close it is to the standard recommendations for weight loss today.
But this strict diet sent 6% of the participants to the psychiatric hospital - and these were highly motivated, healthy young men! There is also a marked contrast between the psychological states in this long-term semi-starvation and reports of shorter-term water fasts.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201103/dieting-can-make-you-lose-your-mind


Minnesota Starvation Experiment

was a clinical study performed at the University of Minnesota between November 19, 1944 and December 20, 1945. The investigation was designed to determine the physiological and psychological effects of severe and prolonged dietary restriction and the effectiveness of dietary rehabilitation strategies.

The study was developed in coordination with the Civilian Public Service (CPS) and the Selective Service System and used 36 men selected from a pool of over 200 CPS volunteers. Ancel Keys was the lead investigator.

1. Control Period (12 weeks): the subjects received a controlled diet of approximately 3,200 calories of food each day.

2. Semi-Starvation Period (24 weeks): During the 6-month semi-starvation period, each subject’s dietary intake was cut to approximately 1,560 calories per day.

Results

depression
hysteria
hypochondriasis
severe emotional distress
self-mutilation
preoccupation with food
Sexual interest was drastically reduced
social withdrawal and isolation
decline in concentration, comprehension and judgment capabilities
reduced body temperature, respiration and heart rate
edema in their extremities

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Starvation_Experiment