Turning Back Time with Food: How a Fasting-Mimicking Diet Can Reverse Aging and Cut Disease Risk

A newly conducted study indicates that a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) not only aids in reducing weight and body fat but also may have profound effects on reducing the biological age of the liver and blood markers associated with disease risk. This potentially groundbreaking research, published on March 17, 2021, and accepted on January 18, 2024, sheds light on a diet that tricks the body into fasting mode while still providing essential nutrients, paving the way for new strategies in age-related disease prevention and treatment.

The FMD, designed by researchers including Sebastian Brandhorst and Valter D. Longo, is a plant-based, low-calorie, and low-protein dietary intervention that lasts for 5 days and is aimed at achieving the beneficial effects of a water-only fast while minimizing risks and discomfort. Previously conducted on mice, the FMD has been shown to not only protect normal cells and kill damaged ones, such as those in cancer and autoimmune diseases, but also reduce inflammation, promote regeneration across multiple systems, and extend longevity.

The data from a randomized clinical trial (NCT02158897) have revealed that adult participants who underwent three cycles of FMD showed significant improvements in health indicators. There was a reduction in insulin resistance, pre-diabetes markers, and hepatic fat, alongside an increase in the immune system's youth-related lymphoid to myeloid ratio. The most staggering finding is that these three FMD cycles were associated with a decrease of 2.5 years in median biological age, independent of weight loss. These benefits were also reflected in a second independent clinical study (NCT04150159), suggesting consistent and promising effects of the FMD.

In the context of metabolic syndrome, which affects an estimated 37% of the US population and 49% of those over 60, this diet could represent a significant step forward in mitigating the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and morbidity. The steep prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affecting up to 75% of those with obesity, might also be effectively combatted through adoption of the FMD. With the obesity epidemic contributing to the aging of organ systems such as the liver and brain, the FMD seems to offer a multi-pronged approach to decelerating aging and offsetting the accumulation of cellular and molecular damage.

A closer examination of the study participants' baseline data indicates that the FMD was particularly effective in those with higher risk factors such as body mass index, blood pressure, and glucose levels. The immune profile of individuals also improved post-FMD, showing an increase in the beneficial lymphoid-to-myeloid ratio associated with a younger immune system.

Alongside the potential personal health benefits, there are suggested socio-economic advantages to this dietary intervention. If FMD can delay the aging process as indicated by the resulting data, there could be substantial savings in healthcare costs due to delayed onset and progression of chronic age-related diseases. Further research and clinical application could lead to large-scale improvements in public health and quality of life for aging populations.

For those interested in exploring the potential benefits of the fasting-mimicking diet, the original publication provides a comprehensive account of the methodology and results. This research opens up exciting possibilities for healthier, longer lives and marks a significant advancement in the field of gerontology and preventive healthcare.

To dive deeper into the study, follow the full text at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45260-9.

This news article was made possible with the assistance of the team at Buoy Health.