Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD): A Pathway to Enhancing Health and Longevity

Recent research suggests that adopting a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) could enhance life quality and potentially extend lifespan. Published in the journal Nature, the study indicates that FMD has the ability to safeguard normal cells, eliminate damaged cells like cancer and autoimmune cells, reduce inflammation, promote multi-system regeneration, and contribute to longevity.

What exactly is a fasting-mimicking diet? Described by US News as a less arduous form of dieting that doesn't necessitate complete food avoidance, FMD involves a low-calorie regimen designed to simulate water-only fasting, effectively tricking the body into a fasting state. Typically observed for five days, this diet was developed by USC Leonard Davis School Professor Valter Longo.

According to Kristine Dilley, a registered dietitian at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the recommended FMD approach involves consuming 1,100 calories on the first day, with 11% from protein, 46% from fat, and 43% from carbohydrates. Subsequently, days 2 to 4 involve consuming approximately 725 calories, comprising 9% protein, 44% fat, and 47% carbs. The focus is on a low-calorie, low-protein, low-carbohydrate, and high unsaturated fat diet. Adequate water intake of at least 70 ounces (around 2.1 liters) is essential, and optimal results are achieved by repeating the diet once a month for three cycles.

In the study, participants followed a plant-based diet with supplements rich in minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. Clinical trial data indicated potential health benefits, including reduced fat, lowered risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular issues, restored glucose levels, decreased insulin resistance, and a rejuvenated immune system. Three FMD cycles were associated with a significant decrease in biological age by an average of 2.5 years, independent of weight loss. The combination of biological and chronological age suggests a potential increase in predicted life expectancy, but further research is needed to validate these findings.