Clinical trials have begun on simulated fasting for 5 days a month to alleviate dementia and enhance anti-cancer effects

Written by Wang Cong
Editor Wang Duoyu typesetting Water Fasting
(Fasting) refers to not eating or eating less food for a certain period of time, usually lasting from 12 hours to 3 weeks, and there are many studies that show that fasting can extend the life of
a variety of experimental organisms.
Many prospective clinical trials have also shown that fasting can reduce risk factors for aging-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, and also enhance the effectiveness of
cancer treatment.

Although many studies suggest that fasting can promote health and increase longevity, most people cannot resist the temptation of food and have difficulty adhering to fasting
for a long time.
To solve this problem, Professor Valter Longo of the University of Southern California has devised a method that mimics fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), a 5-day, cycle-cycle low-calorie diet method to "lure" the body into a fasting state and realize the benefits of
fasting without being hungry.

On September 27, 2022, Professor Valter Longo published a
。
The study found that after several cycles of simulated fasting diets (FMD), two major disease markers in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease β-amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau proteins decreased
significantly.
Mice that simulate fasting have reduced brain inflammation compared to a standard diet mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and perform better
on cognitive ability tests.

The research team also conducted Phase 1 clinical trials in human Alzheimer's patients
.


On October 14, 2021, Professor Valter Longo's team published a paper
in the Nature sub-journal Nature Metabolism.
It is shown that simulated fasting diet (FMD) can offset the adverse effects of long-term high-fat, high-calorie unhealthy diets, reduce fat accumulation, restore heart function, and bring better health and longevity
to unhealthy dieters.


Simulated fasting has shown promising effects
in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease In this latest study, the research team conducted experiments on two mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, E4FAD mice and 3×Tg mice, giving mice twice a month (4-5 days each) a simulated fasting diet (FMD), and
。
In long-term experiments in older mice, 30 simulated fasting diet (FMD) cycles
were given to 3×Tg mice over 15 months.
In short-term experiments, 3×Tg mice and E4FAD mice were given a single simulated fasting diet (FMD) or 12 simulated fasting diet (FMD) cycles
over 6 months.

The results showed that in both mouse models, mice that mimicked fasting diet (FMD) showed a hopeful reduction in levels of β-amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau proteins compared to standard diet mice, and their brain inflammation levels were also lower
.
In addition, mice simulating a fasted diet (FMD) exhibited lower levels of oxidative stress, which plays a role
in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease by destroying neurons and promoting the accumulation of amyloid protein in the brain.


Professor Valter Longo said the study showed that free radical "superoxides" were to blame for brain damage in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease
.
Cognitive behavior experiments have shown that mouse models of Alzheimer's disease who received a simulated fasting diet (FMD) showed less cognitive decline and significantly better cognitive abilities than mouse models
on the standard diet.

Professor Valter Longo said that the simulated fasting diet (FMD) appeared to be effective in reversing a range of pathological markers as well as cognitive decline in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, and the results of the
trial were promising.


In addition to mouse models, Valter Longo's team conducted a Phase 1 clinical trial
of a simulated fasting diet (FMD) in human patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.


Forty patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease, but otherwise healthy and supported by their families, were randomly assigned to a mock fasting (FMD) group (FMD) group, which was subjected to a 5-day simulated fasting once a month, and a corresponding simulated fasting
with pasta or rice.

Preliminary trial results show that a simulated fasting diet (FMD) is safe and feasible
for patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.
The clinical trial, which is still ongoing, will further test patients' cognitive abilities and levels of
inflammation.


It is worth mentioning that in November 2021, a clinical study published in Cancer Discovery, a top academic journal in the field of cancer, showed that the simulated fasting diet (FMD) is safe, can reshape the metabolism and anti-tumor immunity of cancer patients, and the ideal immunomodulatory effect is observed throughout the body and at the tumor level
。

About the Mock Fasting Diet (FMD)
Professor Valter Longo This diet was developed by Professor
Valter Longo and takes a 5-day cycle with only one cycle
per month.
Specifically: calorie intake:
11-16 calories per kilogram of body weight on day 1; Day 2-5 at 7-11 calories per kilogram of body weight
.

Food composition: 10% protein + 56% fat + 34% carbohydrates on day 1; Day 2-5 is 9% protein + 44% fat + 47% carbohydrates
.

Of course, the food here is not a random choice, mainly vegetables, fruits, nuts, vegetables made into salads or stews or soups, they are large, low calorie, produce a feeling of fullness without exceeding the calories
.
Fats are provided through olive oil, protein is provided through nuts, and carbohydrates are provided
through small amounts of sugar and honey.

A normal diet can be resumed on day 6, but pay attention to the transition in case the digestive system is overloaded and do not consume large amounts of sugar and meat
immediately.

Paper Link: https://doi.
org/10.
1016/j.
celrep.
2022.
111417 Open reprints are welcome to be forwarded to the circle of friends and WeChat groups