The premise is fairly simple, the results pretty exceptional. It's being called a Fasting mimicking diet and researchers from the University of Southern California's Leonard Davis School of Gerontology believe is could drastically reduce risk factors for heart disease, cancer, diabetes and many other age related illnesses. The fasting mimicking diet was found to reduce cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure, signs of inflammation as well as fasting glucose and also reduced levels of IGF-1, a hormone that affects metabolism. In addition, this dietary plan is reported to to support weight loss in both total body fat and trunk fat, without reducing muscle mass.
Fasting mimicking diet: the next health breakthrough?
Previous research around this diet was conducted using mice. This current research was the first randomized clinical study of its kind which proves this style of eating is effective at promoting a wide range of health benefits and protective factors. This study shows excellent promise as a treatment to promote longevity in those of advanced years but it may well also be of use to human development across all of the life cycle. The researchers conclude that those who can benefit the most from fasting are those with the highest risk factors for disease such as those with chronically high blood pressure, pre-diabetes or obesity.
In this current research, 100 healthy adults between the ages of 20 and 70 were divided into two groups using an experimental, randomized model based around a control group.
During the course of the study, each group was asked to fast using a specially designed diet for only 5 days out of a month, for a total of 3 months. During the fasting periods, participants consumed only 750 to 1,100 calories a day. The researchers saw positive correlation between their hypothesis and subsequent findings in both groups.
Periodic fasting could be one of the most important scientific discoveries!
Fasting for even short periods of time seems to dramatically alter the body's capacity for regeneration and healing. The next step in the process of validating this treatment will be for a future FDA sanctioned level III clinical evaluation. At this time, there seems to be clear evidence to support continued research into how fasting can be used to promote health.
