The so-called fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) has significant positive effects on insulin resistance, liver fat, the immune system and biological age. This relatively easy-to-implement method can reduce the risk of disease and significantly improve overall health.
In a first clinical study, a research team led by Professor Valter Longo from the University of Southern California (USC) has now examined the effects of the fasting-mimicking diet on aging or biological age, liver fat levels, insulin resistance and other factors. The results are published in the specialist magazine “Nature Communications”.
What is the Fasting Mimicking Diet?
The FMD is a relatively new dietary approach that was developed by the team led by Professor Valter Longo. The researchers explain that it is a five-day diet with a high proportion of unsaturated fats and plant-based foods as well as a low total calorie and protein content.
The nutritional intervention is designed to mimic the effect of a water-only fast (hence the term pseudo-fasting), but at the same time still provides the necessary nutrients and makes it much easier for people to complete the fast.
Evidence of positive health effects
Previous research by the research team had already shown that short, periodic FMD cycles are associated with a number of positive effects, such as:
- promote the regeneration of stem cells,
- alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy
- and reduce signs of dementia in mice.
There is also evidence that FMD reduces risk factors for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other age-related diseases, and in mice, one or two FMD cycles five days a month significantly increased health and lifespan, the researchers report.
So far, however, there has been a lack of human studies on the effects of false fasting on biomarkers such as liver fat levels and insulin resistance and on the aging of the immune system and biological age, the experts continued.
First study on humans
The team now analyzed the effects of the diet on two study populations (100 participants and 15 participants), with participants who were randomly assigned to the FMD going through three to four monthly cycles in which they followed the diet for five days and then for 25 days eat normally.
In the study, the FMD consisted of, among other things, plant-based soups, energy bars and tea. In addition, a dietary supplement with a high proportion of minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids was administered. In the control group, participants were asked to eat either a normal or Mediterranean diet.
What effects were noticeable?
The analyzes carried out on the participants’ blood samples showed that key diabetes risk factors such as insulin resistance and HbA1c levels were significantly lower after sham fasting than in the control group, the team reports.
The magnetic resonance imaging tests also showed a decrease in abdominal fat and fat in the liver, which indicates a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome.
Furthermore, the FMD cycles appeared to increase the lymphoid-to-myeloid ratio. This is an indicator of a “more youthful immune system,” according to the research team.
Significantly reduced biological age
When assessing biological age, the researchers found that an average reduction of 2.5 years was achieved after three FMD cycles.
Also read:
- Five-day pseudo-fasting against the consequences of an unhealthy diet
- Breakthrough: Fasting-like diet can cure chronic intestinal inflammation
“This study provides, for the first time, evidence of biological age reduction from two different study populations, accompanied by evidence of rejuvenation of metabolic and immune function,” emphasizes Professor Longo.
Even without permanent changes in diet or lifestyle, FMD can make people biologically younger and help reduce disease risk and improve overall health, Longo concludes. (fp)
