If you’re reading this because you or someone you care about is restricting food, first: you’re not alone, and you deserve kindness. Starving the body isn’t a path to control or “health” — it’s trauma to your physiology, brain, and relationships. Below I explain, plainly and compassionately, what starvation and extreme restriction do to the body and mind, why nourishment matters, and practical next steps toward healing.

What happens to your body when you starve it

When the body doesn’t get enough calories and nutrients, it shifts into survival mode. That may sound adaptive, but prolonged starvation causes wide-ranging damage.

1. Nearly every organ system is affected.

Prolonged under-eating and malnutrition can cause changes to the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, digestive tract, bones, immune system and hormones. Medical reviews show that eating disorders and severe malnutrition produce physiological disturbances (low blood pressure, slow heart rate, low body temperature) and complications across organ systems. 

2. The heart weakens.

The heart muscle loses strength and size during prolonged calorie restriction and muscle wasting. This can cause low blood pressure, fainting, irregular heart rhythms and — in severe cases — heart failure. Heart problems are a leading medical cause of death in people with severe eating disorders. 

3. Bones, hormones and fertility are harmed.

Restricted eating disrupts hormonal systems (including sex hormones) and reduces bone density. Over time this increases the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis and can lead to long-term fertility issues and complications in pregnancy. Younger people are especially vulnerable because bone mass is still developing. 

4. Immune function and healing decline.

Malnutrition impairs immune cells and wound healing, so you get sick more easily and recover more slowly. That’s why even seemingly small illnesses can become serious when the body is starved. 

5. The brain and mood are affected.

Starvation changes brain chemistry and cognition. People experiencing prolonged restriction commonly report anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts about food, poor concentration, irritability, and a preoccupation with food or weight. Historical research (like the Minnesota Starvation Study) and modern reviews show clear psychological harm from semi-starvation. 

6. Refeeding can be medically risky if not supervised.

After prolonged starvation, suddenly eating a lot can cause dangerous electrolyte shifts (refeeding syndrome) that affect the heart, brain and kidneys. If someone has been severely restricting, refeeding should be done with medical guidance. 

Why “nourish” — not “starve” — is better for your whole life

Eating regularly and getting adequate nutrients isn’t just about body shape. It’s about function, energy, relationships and future health.

• Stable energy and clearer thinking. When your body has regular fuel, your concentration, memory and decision-making improve.
• Mood regulation. Adequate nutrition supports neurotransmitters (like serotonin) that stabilize mood and reduce anxiety and irritability.
• Long-term resilience. Protecting bones, heart, fertility and immunity today prevents chronic health problems later.
• Freedom from food obsession. Paradoxically, extreme restriction intensifies preoccupation with food. Gentle, consistent nourishment reduces the mental load and helps you rebuild a peaceful relationship with eating.

Practical, compassionate steps you can take now

If you’re in immediate danger (chest pain, fainting, severe confusion, dangerously low heart rate, or if you’re thinking about harming yourself), call emergency services or go to the nearest ER.

If the situation is not an immediate emergency, these steps are helpful and safer than trying to “fix” things alone:

1. Tell someone you trust. Reaching out to a friend, family member, counselor or clergy can be the first step toward support. You don’t need to carry this alone.
2. Seek professional help. A primary care doctor, a nutritionist experienced with eating disorders, and a mental health clinician (therapist or psychiatrist) can assess medical risks and build a safe plan. If you’re in the U.S., organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) can help you find treatment and local resources.
3. Avoid sudden, unsupervised refeeding if you’ve been severely under-eating. Medical monitoring is important to prevent refeeding complications. That doesn’t mean you must stay malnourished — it means reintroducing calories in a safe, planned way.
4. Small, regular steps toward nourishment. If medically safe, try to eat small, balanced snacks and meals instead of long fasts. Aim for gentle variety: protein, carbs, healthy fats and micronutrients — but prioritize consistency over perfection. (A registered dietitian can provide a tailored plan.)
5. Be kind to the feelings behind restriction. Starvation is often an attempt to control overwhelming emotions, feel safe, or cope with shame. Therapy approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and specialized eating-disorder treatments can help you find safer coping tools.

If you’re supporting someone else
Listen without judgment. Avoid shaming comments about weight. Encourage medical evaluation if you see fainting, extreme lethargy, frequent cold intolerance, hair loss, irregular heartbeats, or stopped menstruation — these may be signs of dangerous malnutrition. Offer to help them find a clinician or accompany them to an appointment. 

You are worth nourishment and care
It’s easy to hear statistics or physical facts and feel detached — but the human truth is simpler: your body and mind were built to be cared for. Choosing nourishment is choosing the possibility of better sleep, clearer thinking, kinder relationships with food and people, preserved fertility and bones, and a longer, healthier life. Healing feels slow and complicated, but it’s possible — and you don’t have to do it alone.

Resources and hotlines

• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) – screening, treatment finder and support resources.
• NIMH / MedlinePlus – basic information and treatment options for eating disorders.
• If you are in immediate danger — call your local emergency number (911 in the U.S.) or go to the nearest emergency room.