Following a 'fasting-like' diet for five days a month reduces biological age by two and a half years.

Scientists have shown that following a “fasting-like” diet for just five days a month reduces biological age by two and a half years.

The University of Southern California (USC) has developed a diet that mimics fasting but ensures that those fasting get adequate nutrients.

This involves consuming plant-based soups, energy bars and drinks, dry snacks, teas and supplements for five days, before going back to a normal diet for the next 25 days.

It has already been shown to promote stem cell regeneration and reduce dementia symptoms in animals, but now researchers have shown that it reverses biological aging in humans – causing cells and tissues to function the same way. Do as they do in a young body.

In tests on 100 participants who followed this regimen for three or four months, analysis of blood samples showed that their immune systems were more youthful, and their biological age was reversed by two and a half years.

“This is the first study to show that a food-based intervention that does not require long-term dietary or other lifestyle changes can help people respond to changes in aging and disease risk factors based on biological changes,” said USC Professor Walter Longo. Can make you younger.” Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

“Although many doctors in the United States and Europe already recommend fasting-mimetic diets (FMDs), these findings should lead many health care professionals to recommend the cycle to patients with higher than desired levels of disease risk factors. Should be encouraged for the general population who may be interested in increased function and shorter lifespan.

essential nutrients

The FMD diet is high in unsaturated fats and low in overall calories, protein and carbohydrates and is designed to mimic the effects of water-only fasting while still providing essential nutrients and making it much easier for people to complete. Is.

Analysis of the trial participants also showed that they had fewer diabetes risk factors, including less insulin resistance.

Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a reduction in abdominal fat as well as fat within the liver.

Previous trials have shown that the diet can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy as well as risk factors for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other age-related diseases in humans.

The researchers said the diet should be used as a short-term periodic, achievable dietary intervention that can help people reduce disease risk and improve their health without widespread lifestyle changes.

This research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

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