How does fasting affect the immune system?

Prolonged fasting can lead to the destruction of old or damaged immune cells (apoptosis), followed by stem cell regeneration during refeeding, effectively rejuvenating the immune system and restoring a more youthful profile.

Can fasting help with aging?

Yes, fasting, particularly periodic prolonged fasting or using fasting-mimicking diets, can trigger regenerative processes, reduce inflammation, and potentially reverse some aspects of age-related immune decline, contributing to healthspan.

How does fasting benefit cancer patients?

Fasting can induce a protective state in normal cells, making them resistant to chemotherapy, while simultaneously sensitizing cancer cells to treatment, thereby increasing treatment efficacy and potentially leading to better outcomes.

What is the Warburg effect and how does fasting relate to it?

The Warburg effect describes how cancer cells primarily use glucose for energy. Fasting lowers glucose levels, forcing cancer cells to switch to less efficient energy sources like fatty acids, making them vulnerable and potentially leading to their death.

Can fasting help with multiple sclerosis?

Studies suggest that fasting and fasting-mimicking diets can help regenerate the immune system, potentially creating new, non-autoimmune cells and reducing inflammation around the spinal cord, which aids in myelin repair.

What is the fasting mimicking diet (FMD)?

The FMD is a low-protein, low-sugar, high-fat diet designed to trick the body into believing it's fasting, promoting cellular regeneration and other benefits without complete food abstinence.

How often should one do a fasting mimicking diet?

For therapeutic purposes, like in MS or cancer care, one cycle of FMD (typically 5 days) might be suggested every two months, but personalized recommendations should come from a clinician.

Is IGF-1 important for longevity?

Lowering the IGF-1 pathway is associated with longevity and reduced disease risk. While high IGF-1 can promote cancer growth, it also plays a role in muscle and brain health, making the balance and refeding phase crucial.

Can I do ProLon FMD at home?

Yes, ProLon FMD is designed for at-home use. It's recommended to consult with a doctor first and then work with a nutritionist or dietitian provided by L-Nutra for guidance during the five-day cycle.

Valter Longo, Ph.D. on Fasting-Mimicking Diet & Fasting for Longevity, Cancer & Multiple Sclerosis

FoundMyFitness

Education5 min read79 min video

Oct 1, 2016|841,593 views|12,406|782

Valter Longo fasting-mimicking diet fast-mimicking diet fasting-mimetic diet fasting longevity autophagy cancer IGF-1 metformin multiple sclerosis prolonged fasting

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Valter Longo discusses fasting, fasting-mimicking diets, and their benefits for longevity, diseases like cancer and MS, and cellular regeneration.

Key Insights

Fasting and fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) can induce significant cellular regeneration, including the rebuilding of the immune system.

Periodic fasting or FMDs can reprogram the body to protect normal cells while sensitizing cancer cells to treatments like chemotherapy.

Studies show FMDs can reverse immune system aging markers, making the immune profile more youthful, which has implications for age-related diseases and infections.

Fasting and FMDs can reduce inflammation markers and reset the body to a more youthful state, potentially impacting chronic diseases.

FMDs offer a safer and more accessible alternative to prolonged fasting, demonstrating remarkable results in pilot human trials for conditions like multiple sclerosis and cancer.

The refeeding phase after fasting is crucial for regeneration, allowing the body to rebuild systems that were shrunk during the fasting period.

THE CONCEPT OF FASTING AND ITS EVOLUTION

Dr. Valter Longo introduces fasting and fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) as powerful interventions for longevity and healthspan. Originating from research into calorie restriction, FMDs are designed to trick the body into a fasting state without complete deprivation. Unlike continuous calorie restriction, fasting and FMDs trigger more extreme biological responses, such as activating stem cells and promoting significant regeneration. The key lies not just in the fasting period but equally in the subsequent refeeding, which is when the rebuilding of cellular systems occurs.

CELLULAR REGENERATION AND IMMUNE SYSTEM REJUVENATION

Fasting triggers a process where the body eliminates a significant portion of its cells, particularly white blood cells, through apoptosis. This reduction is followed by a remarkable regeneration during the refeeding phase, where stem cells are activated to rebuild these systems. This cyclical process of shrinking and rebuilding is believed to be the most potent regenerative program since birth. For aging individuals, this can counteract immunosenescence, where the immune system declines, potentially rejuvenating the immune system to a more youthful state.

EFFECTIVENESS OF FMDs IN HUMAN TRIALS

FMDs have shown promise in human pilots and clinical trials for various conditions. The diet, characterized by low protein, low sugar, and high healthy fats, is designed for safety and adherence. Studies have indicated its potential in treating cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Notably, a pilot study involving cancer patients demonstrated that fasting or FMDs could make normal cells more resistant to chemotherapy while making cancer cells more sensitive, a concept known as differential stress resistance and sensitization.

FMDs AND CANCER TREATMENT STRATEGIES

The research suggests that fasting and FMDs can play a synergistic role in cancer treatment. By lowering glucose and amino acid levels, fasting makes cancer cells, which thrive on these nutrients (the Warburg effect), vulnerable. Cancer cells, due to their inherent genetic dysregulation, cannot enter the protective 'shielded' mode that normal cells enter during fasting. This makes them more susceptible to therapies like chemotherapy, while normal cells are protected, offering a dual benefit of increasing cancer cell death and preserving healthy tissue.

REDUCING INFLAMMATION AND PROMISING OUTCOMES

Inflammation is a significant biomarker associated with aging and chronic disease. Studies on FMDs have consistently shown a reduction in inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, bringing them back to normal levels. This reduction is seen as a reset of bodily systems to a more youthful state. The liver also undergoes cycles of atrophy and regeneration, contributing to reduced inflammation. The FMD has demonstrated a potent effect on reducing inflammation across various age groups, indicating its broad applicability.

APPLICATIONS IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES AND BEYOND

The regenerative capabilities of fasting and FMDs extend to neurodegenerative diseases. Research, particularly in mouse models and preliminary human trials for multiple sclerosis, shows that FMDs can lead to the regeneration of immune cells, which are no longer autoimmune, and reduce inflammation in the central nervous system. This allows progenitor cells to rebuild myelin, regenerating the spinal cord. The profound benefits observed in pilot studies suggest that FMDs could be a valuable metabolic therapy for a range of autoimmune and degenerative conditions, with ongoing research exploring their potential in other diseases.

PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION AND FUTURE OF NUTRITION

Dr. Longo emphasizes that the key to widespread adoption of these interventions is flexibility and adherence. He advocates for a personalized approach, combining time-restricted eating (e.g., 12-hour eating window) with periodic FMDs. The development of products like ProLon FMD by L-Nutra aims to make these powerful interventions accessible and safe for patients, with medical professionals guiding their use. The goal is to integrate these metabolic therapies into standard medical practice for disease treatment and healthspan extension.

THE ROLE OF IGF-1 IN AGING AND LONGEVITY

The conversation highlights the critical role of the IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) pathway in aging and longevity. High IGF-1 levels are associated with pro-aging effects and increased cancer risk, while reducing this pathway can extend lifespan and healthspan. Fasting lowers IGF-1, and refeeding allows it to rise, driving regeneration. Genetics, such as mutations in the growth hormone receptor pathway, demonstrate profound longevity benefits, even with unhealthy lifestyles, underscoring its importance as a target for anti-aging interventions.

EXERCISE AND ITS INTERACTION WITH FASTING

Exercise, particularly weight training, is crucial for ensuring that the body rebuilds muscle mass during refeeding phases after fasting. While fasting can temporarily draw energy from muscle, exercise signals the muscle to rebuild and grow, preventing loss of lean body mass. This combination is highly beneficial for athletes and individuals aiming to optimize body composition. Exercise may also help direct IGF-1 to target tissues like muscle and the brain, further supporting health and longevity.

MITOPHAGY AND MITOCHONDRIAL BIOGENESIS

The research is exploring the role of mitophagy, the process of clearing damaged mitochondria, in the context of fasting. This clearing is thought to trigger mitochondrial biogenesis, the creation of new, healthy mitochondria. This process is currently under active investigation and is viewed optimistically for its potential contribution to the overall benefits of fasting and FMDs in cellular health and regeneration.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Products

●Companies

●Organizations

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Fasting and Fasting Mimicking Diet Guidelines

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Consider time-restricted eating (12-hour window or less) for metabolic health.

Fasting or FMDs can trigger stem cell regeneration and immune system reset.

FMDs can sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy while protecting normal cells.

Fasting can shift metabolism towards fat burning and ketosis.

FMDs are being explored for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.

Lowering IGF-1 pathway activity is linked to longevity.

Exercise is crucial for directing IGF-1 to muscle and brain and maintaining lean mass during fasting.

Consult with a doctor before starting FMDs, especially if you have existing conditions or are on medication.

Avoid This

Do not confuse prolonged fasting with simple calorie restriction; refeding is a critical component.

Cancer cells, due to their nature, do not respond to fasting-mimicking protective modes like normal cells.

Avoid high-protein and high-sugar diets when aiming for cancer cell sensitization through fasting.

Do not rely solely on 'alternative' or 'traditional' medicine; combining them can be powerful.

Be cautious with drugs that block central cellular pathways; they may have unintended long-term consequences.

Do not underestimate the importance of patient compliance and happiness when choosing longevity interventions.

Common Questions

Calorie restriction involves eating less throughout the day, while fasting and fasting-mimicking diets involve more extreme periods of voluntary abstinence from food to trigger specific cellular responses like stem cell regeneration.