I am sure you’ve heard about multiple fad diets that seem to sweep our information channels every 3-6 months and promise a cure for all.
Let’s talk about scientifically based approaches. One of these is the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD).
Intermittent fasting has been used for centuries to “purify our body and soul” and it’s still a part of many religious traditions.
Numerous studies show that it can have powerful benefits for your body and brain, including regeneration of the immune system, reduced blood glucose, cellular repair, weight loss, anti-inflammatory and cancer suppressing effects, and may prolong our lifespan.
However, prolonged fasting is difficult for most people and can cause adverse effects due to its extreme nature. Researchers have therefore been trying to design diets that might mimic the beneficial effects of prolonged fasting, without the stress of complete food restriction.
A newly designed trial by USC researchers, Fasting Mimicking Diet, was studied in a randomized trial and showed significant benefits.
It is the first meal program, made of healthy natural ingredients that someone consumes for five days, while his or her body is not recognizing that it is eating, and therefore remaining in a fasting mode. In simple terms, it is fasting while consuming diet with food.
The diet reduced cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure and signs of inflammation (measured by C–reactive protein levels), as well as fasting glucose and reduced levels of IGF–1, a hormone that affects metabolism. It also shrank waistlines and resulted in weight loss, both in total body fat and trunk fat, but not in muscle mass.
In effect, the diet reduced the participants’ risks for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other age-related diseases.
Patients who are good candidates for this program include those who are:
- fighting chronic infections
- trying to lose weight
- have a weak immune system
- neurological issues
- type 2 diabetes or other metabolic problems
- and those who are healthy and are simply trying to optimize longevity
Patients that are not candidates:
- pregnant and nursing mothers
- children
- people with uncontrolled thyroid and adrenal issues
- people with eating disorders
For more information on Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) and other healthy diets, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Koganski at 215-750-7000 or www.newtowminernalmedicine.com.
Reference:
Min Wei, et al. Fasting-mimicking diet and markers/risk factors for aging, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Science Translational Medicine 15 Feb 2017:Vol. 9, Issue 377.
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Fasting Mimicking Diet
