New research suggests that following a fasting-style diet may offer a variety of benefits, including lowering your risk of disease and slowing cellular aging.
This short-term weight loss diet, known as a fasting-mimetic diet (FMD), aims to replicate the effects of a water-only fast without cutting out essential nutrients.
This includes providing a high-nutrient diet of plant-based soups, energy bars, chips, tea, and vitamin and mineral supplements spread over five days. unsaturated fat And it’s low in calories, protein, and carbohydrates.
Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC), Yale School of Medicine, and the AIRC Molecular Oncology Institute in Italy conducted two clinical studies involving a total of 144 volunteers. They found that insulin resistance was reduced in FMD patients (related to diabetes), liver fat, and immune system aging all contribute to lower biological age and less overall disease.
“This study shows for the first time evidence of biological age reduction from two separate clinical trials, with evidence of rejuvenation of metabolic and immune function.” To tell Valter Longo, a gerontologist at the University of Southern California.
Participants who experienced FMD cycles were found to have a median biological age of 2.5 years younger than the other groups. This measures the “wear and tear” of cells, or how well they are functioning compared to their actual age.
Furthermore, health gains do not seem to be associated with associated weight loss. In other words, the body isn’t just sensing the benefits of losing weight, there seems to be something else going on here as well, which future studies may continue to investigate.
“This suggests that food-based interventions, which do not require chronic diet or other lifestyle changes, can rejuvenate people biologically based on both aging and changes in disease risk factors. This is the first study to show that it can be done.” To tell Longo.
This is not the first time foot-and-mouth disease has been shown to have health benefits.a previous research They found that this type of diet and calorie restriction could reduce signs of dementia, but only in mice, not humans. It may also be useful in combating obesity.
With all this in mind, researchers hope that FMD can be promoted as part of fostering a healthier lifestyle. However, as always, it is important to consult your doctor or health care professional before making any major changes to your diet.
“These findings encourage more health care professionals to recommend FMD cycles to patients with higher-than-desired disease risk factors and to the general public who may be interested in improved function and younger age. It should encourage you.” To tell Longo.
This study nature communications.
