Table of Contents
The well-being of all of us passes in the first place from nutrition, or from the foods we eat every day. The mix between a healthy diet and constant sporting activity makes it possible prevent development of various pathologies, some even serious. And this is confirmed in the numerous studies on this subject.
At the same time, different diets are popular (some of these well-known because they are followed by influencers and faces of the show) that over the years have gone alongside the Mediterranean diet. Among these stands out the diet mimics fasting which is based on the drastic reduction of the daily caloric intake and on a limited intake of carbohydrates and proteins.
How it was born
The fasting mimicking diet was devised since professor Valter Longo, researcher and director of the department of gerontology at the University of California. This food protocol is based on some studies, carried out mainly on mice, and which would bring benefits in terms of improving the health status and increasing the life expectancy of those who follow it.
So how does the fasting mimicking diet work and what are the possible contraindications? We talked about it with Doctor Laura Giori, Nutritionist Biologist.
What is that
«The Fasting Mimicking Diet is a food protocol low calorie entirely vegetable undertaken periodically (from every 30 days to every 4 months, depending on the subject). The purchase of a kit that lasts 5 days and provides a caloric intake of about 1,000 kcal on the first day, and up to about 800 kcal from the second to the fifth day. This diet plan, through a calorie restriction regimen, has the same effect as fasting water only. The aim is to bring our body into a stage of cell regeneration and rejuvenation of the body »explains Dr. Giori.
The low-calorie diet in general brings a lower caloric amount compared to the daily energy requirement. There are several including the ketogenic diet, the Mediterranean diet, intermittent fasting. It is about diet patterns different which must however be carefully evaluated taking into account the health conditions of the subject and the goal to be achieved.
How does it work
«The goal of the Fasting Mimicking Diet is to send the body out in deficiency of glucose and proteins. Through the simulation of fasting, the organism enters one state of ketosis: without sufficient glucose – fuel used under normal conditions -, in fact, the body is forced to generate alternative energy resources, i.e. chetonic bodies produced from our fat reserves. To this, a protein deficit is also added. In this way the body uses the few protein resources available more efficiently, protecting new and healthy tissues and letting old cells die. This alteration of the normal energy metabolism favors the weight loss in the form of body fat keeping the lean mass (muscle) intact »specifies the expert.
What are the benefits
“THE potential benefits of the fasting mimicking diet, observed on mice and being tested on humans, are:
- 50% reduction in the risk of cancer;
- postponement of age potentially at risk of disease;
- percentage increase in benign tumors compared to malignant ones.
Hence, this diet plan would lead the body to protect all cells, to rejuvenate them and to replace them, when necessary, with young cells. It would also help check some risk factors related to the onset of inflammation, aging, metabolic pathologies, cardiovascular pathologies and tumors »continues Dr. Giori.
We can therefore say that the fasting mimicking diet would bring benefits that do not differ excessively from those of other low calorie diets. In fact, weight loss aimed at returning to a healthy weight contributes in general to the maintenance of a healthy state of health. In concrete terms, this translates into fewer chances of experiencing the onset of pathologies (such as diabetes or cardiovascular ones), but it also represents a prevention factor in the development of various cancers.
Contraindications
«Let’s start by saying that the fasting mimicking diet protocol was designed to be performed below strict medical supervision. Consequently, it is not recommended to perform it autonomously, especially if in a less than perfect state of health. For those wishing to undertake this diet, I recommend first of all seek the advice of your primary care physician, who will be able to examine the clinical history and evaluate the possibility of following this dietary protocol or not. The Fasting Mimicking Diet is in fact designed for healthy adult subjects, aged between 20 and 70 years. It is a protocol not suitable for example for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, anorexia, with very low weight. And not even in the case of intense sporting activity. It is also not advisable to extend the fasting mimicking diet beyond the indicated period or at too short intervals »concludes the expert.
In general, therefore, the fasting mimicking diet represents an alternative to other dietary regimes, but to be evaluated together with a specialist. Before starting a diet it is important to consider, together with your doctor and / or a nutrition specialist, your state of health and lifestyle. In this sense, more than a generalized diet it is good to talk about a personalized diet, or specifically designed for a subject.
Read also
