Research has revealed that \u201cfake fasting\u201d may offer the same age-reversing health benefits as forsaking food.<\/p>\n
Known as the fasting mimicking diet (FMD), the diet is designed, as the name implies, to mimic the effects of water fasting by targeting blood glucose, ketone levels and other biomarkers.<\/p>\n
While traditional fasting is characterized by the utter absence of food, FMD allows for a limited intake of specific nutrients and is set up in cycles; typically, people adhere to FMD for five days out of the month and maintain their regular diet for the remainder of the month.<\/p>\n
While the utter absence of food characterizes traditional fasting, FMD allows for a limited intake of specific nutrients and is set up in cycles. Katecat \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
Previous research has indicated that brief, periodic FMD cycles can\u00a0support weight loss, promote stem cell regeneration<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0lessen chemotherapy side effects<\/a>. Other trials have found that\u00a0FMD may be able to reduce the signs of dementia<\/a>.<\/p>\n This latest study, published in the journal\u00a0Nature Communications<\/a>, revealed that FMD can reduce signs of immune system aging and \u2014 by decreasing insulin resistance and liver fat in humans \u2014 can lower a person\u2019s biological age by an average of 2\u00bd years.<\/p>\n \u201cBiological age\u201d is a measure of the function of the person\u2019s cells and tissues, as opposed to chronological age<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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,\u201d senior author and University of Southern California professor Valter Longo\u00a0said in a statement.<\/a><\/p>\n FMD can reduce signs of immune system aging and, by decreasing insulin resistance and liver fat in humans, can lower a person\u2019s biological age by an average of 2\u00bd years. kerkezz \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Researchers describe FMD as a \u201cfive-day diet high in unsaturated fats and low in overall calories, protein and carbohydrates, and is designed to mimic the effects of a water-only fast while still providing necessary nutrients and making it much easier for people to complete the fast.\u201d<\/p>\n Caloric intake is reduced to about 40-50% of a person\u2019s normal daily requirement, and protein and carbs are severely restricted to trigger cellular and metabolic responses similar to those initiated by a water fast.<\/p>\n The diet relies heavily on calories from unsaturated fats, which are known to reduce inflammation and promote heart health.<\/p>\n