Fasting-Mimicking Diet and the Quest for Longer, Healthier Lives

Thursday - February 29 2024, 10:19 UTC - 8 months ago

A recent study has found that the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), developed by Valter Longo at USC Leonard Davis School, could potentially increase median predicted life expectancy from 82.2 to 83.5 years. The FMD is designed to mimic the effects of fasting and has been shown to improve metabolic health and reduce risk factors for chronic diseases. Participants who underwent three FMD cycles showed reductions in body weight, body fat, and blood pressure without any adverse effects. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of FMD.

Extending human lifespan has long been a topic of interest and research for scientists and health experts. One of the most promising interventions for increasing lifespan in animals is caloric restriction – reducing the amount of calories consumed while still maintaining adequate nutrition. However, it has been difficult to study the effects of caloric restriction on humans, and maintaining this lifestyle is often challenging.

In recent years, a specific type of caloric restriction called the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) has gained attention for its potential benefits on health and longevity. Developed by renowned geroscientist Valter Longo and his team at USC Leonard Davis School, the FMD is designed to mimic the effects of fasting without requiring complete abstinence from food. Instead, it involves consuming a specific mix of nutrients that are low in calories, protein, and carbohydrates but high in healthy fats.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the FMD can improve metabolic health and reduce risk factors for chronic diseases in humans. In a recent clinical study, Longo and his team analyzed additional data and found that participants who underwent three FMD cycles showed reductions in body weight, body fat, and blood pressure without any adverse effects. This is particularly significant for individuals with obesity, elevated inflammation, or other metabolic issues, as they showed an even greater decrease in biological age of 2.9 years after undergoing FMD.

But what does a decrease in biological age actually mean for lifespan? The researchers attempted to estimate the effects of FMD on predicted life expectancy and found that it could potentially increase median predicted life expectancy from 82.2 to 83.5 years. This means that someone who undergoes three FMD cycles annually could gain 0.85 years of biological age for every one-year increase in chronological age. If this regimen were started at the age of 50, life expectancy at 70 could increase by approximately five years compared to not doing the FMD – 88.3 years versus 83.2 years.

The FMD is thought to promote cellular regeneration and rejuvenation by triggering a state of mild stress in the body. This stress response can activate various protective and restorative mechanisms, potentially leading to improved health and longevity. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and long-term effects of FMD, these findings provide early support for the potential benefits of this type of caloric restriction.