Fasting Mimicking Diet: Rejuvenate Cells in Just 5 Days (including Plan)

Fasting has long been considered an effective method for promoting health. However, not everyone can or wants to completely abstain from food. But that's not necessary at all: There is a much gentler alternative that is said to be at least equally effective - and much more practical for everyday life. A recent study has now examined how just a few applications of this method can affect key health markers and biological age.

Study shows: Fasting mimicking diet rejuvenates by 2.5 years

Many studies have already proven the health benefits of the so-called fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), developed by Prof. Valter Longo from the University of Southern California. A new, more comprehensive study¹. The specialist journal Nature Communications has now shown that just three cycles of pseudo-fasting led to an improvement in various biomarkers, which are biological indicators of aging and disease risk, and could also reduce biological age:

• improved insulin resistance

• Weight loss through loss of fat mass

• Reduction of fat accumulation in the liver

• lower inflammation burden

• improved blood pressure

• Increase in the lymphocyte-to-myelocyte ratio, an indicator of a "younger" immune system.

Based on these biomarkers and results, the scientists calculated that three cycles of this fasting regimen reduced the biological age by an average of 2.5 years reduce.

What is the Fasting Mimicking Diet exactly?

The pretend fasting is a 5-day fasting method in which we trick the body into thinking we are fasting by selecting specific foods, even though we still eat small amounts. The goal is to reap the health benefits of fasting without having to completely give up eating.

As not completely abstaining from food, pseudo-fasting is a particularly gentle method and easier to implement in everyday life. It is suitable for almost everyone and also attractive for those who cannot consider strict fasting days. Pseudo-fasting is especially ideal for women, as unlike other fasting methods, it has less impact on hormone balance. In addition, despite the reduced calorie intake, the body continues to be supplied with valuable nutrients. This way, despite the relief for the digestive system, all important metabolic processes that require good nutrient intake can proceed unhindered, and one has to deal less with the usual side effects of fasting such as lack of concentration or constant hunger. Unlike traditional fasting, we do not lose muscle mass with pseudo-fasting.

In short: One benefits from all the positive effects of fasting without major deprivation, annoying side effects, and loss of important bodily functions and mass.

Fastening and still eating - how does that work?

Professor Valter Longo has determined how many calories and which foods we can consume in order to still benefit from the positive effects of fasting, especially autophagy, which is the self-renewal of cells. Those who do not exceed this number put the body into a state of ketosis. This means that from the second day of the fasting mimicking diet, the body increasingly switches its energy source from sugar to fatty acids. By the third day, all glucose reserves are depleted. The body now uses deep belly fat, visceral fat, as an energy source and the cell renewal program runs intensively. From day 4, autophagy promotes the regeneration of stem cells, an important rejuvenation process. Overall, these 5 days of pseudo-fasting can help regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity.

What should be considered during fasting?

For the best fasting results, Valter Longo recommends a daily supplement of micronutrients to provide the body with all essential nutrients. Vitamins and trace elements are involved in every metabolic process in the body. Since calorie intake is restricted during fasting and less food is consumed than usual, it is even more important to ensure an adequate intake of micronutrients.