My experiment with the do-it-yourself version of Dr. Valter Longo's 5-day fasting mimicking diet (FMD). The clinically tested FMD combines the benefits of a water fast with the psychological safety net of being able to eat a limited number of calories every day. Aside from weight loss, and improved bio-markers (improvements in blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol and others), people on the FMD burn body fat when they get into ketosis, and experience autophagy (cells “eating themselves,” eliminating damaged parts of older cells) as well as spikes in the creation of stem cells, which are used to repair damage to organs and tissues in your body.
I have chosen not to follow the commercially available version of the FMD (Prolon®), but rather to follow the specifications for the macronutrients (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements) that Dr. Longo establishes in his published papers and patents. While not recommended by Dr. Longo, I choose to do a DIY version of the 5-day FMD because I want to get the benefit of eating fresh, unprocessed food to support my body during this cleansing and rejuvenation program. A nutrition tracker I developed based on the published macronutrient ratios allows me to develop delicious recipes for fresh salads, hearty soups and tasty smoothies and I showcase those every day.
On Day 1, I report my experiences with the first day of the FMD, how I felt, whether I was hungry, and what I’m cooking for dinner: a hearty vegetable soup and a side dish of sautéed kale and carrots. I discuss the number of calories taken in and how my diet differs from the Prolon® diet. I compare micronutrients in my diet with those called for in the FMD – all provided by the fresh food I’m consuming. And I show you what I will be eating on day 2 of the Fasting Mimicking Diet, do-it-yourself version.
