In the perpetual quest for eternal youth, a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications has unveiled a promising contender: the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD). Researchers report that this innovative eating plan could potentially reduce a person’s biological age by an average of 2.5 years.
The FMD, spanning five days, boasts a composition rich in unsaturated fats while maintaining low levels of calories, protein, and carbohydrates. This strategic design aims to mimic the effects of a water-only fast while ensuring the provision of essential nutrients to the body.
Senior author and University of Southern California professor, Valter Longo, expressed enthusiasm about the study’s findings, stating, “This is the first study to show that a food-based intervention that does not require chronic dietary or other lifestyle changes can make people biologically younger.”
Longo emphasized that these conclusions were based on observable changes in aging and disease risk factors, as well as a validated method for assessing biological age.
Research on Fasting-Mimicking Diet
The study, conducted by USC researchers, involved two clinical trials encompassing both men and women aged 18 to 70. Participants underwent three to four monthly cycles of the FMD, adhering to the diet for five consecutive days before returning to a “normal” or Mediterranean-style diet for the remainder of the month.
Throughout the FMD phase, participants consumed a variety of plant-based soups, energy bars, chips, energy drinks, and tea. Additionally, they were supplemented with high levels of minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.
Results from the study demonstrated several health benefits associated with FMD, including reductions in diabetes risk factors such as insulin resistance and lower HbA1c levels, decreased liver fat, slowed immune system aging, and mitigated risks of age-related illnesses.
These outcomes collectively contributed to a lower biological age, a measure reflecting the function of a person’s cells and tissues rather than their chronological age.
Sebastian Brandhorst, the first study author, highlighted the FMD’s potential as a feasible dietary intervention to mitigate disease risk and enhance overall health without necessitating extensive lifestyle modifications.
Brandhorst emphasized the study’s support for the periodic implementation of the FMD as a viable approach to promoting well-being.
Previous research conducted by Longo has indicated additional benefits of the FMD, including promoting stem cell regeneration and mitigating chemotherapy side effects. Other trials have suggested potential benefits in reducing dementia symptoms.
The emergence of the FMD as a potential anti-aging strategy comes amidst a growing trend of individuals exploring various methods, ranging from exercise routines to unconventional treatments like electric shock, in their pursuit of reversing aging effects.
As research in this field continues to evolve, the fasting-mimicking diet holds promise as a convenient and accessible intervention to potentially turn back the hands of time and unlock the secrets of youthfulness.
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