Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD)

Category: technique

A periodic calorie-restricted diet designed to trigger fasting-like metabolic changes (autophagy, stem cell regeneration) while allowing limited food intake.

Mechanism Detail

FMD (typically 5 days, ~800 cal/day with specific macros) reduces IGF-1, glucose, and insulin while increasing ketone bodies and IGFBP1. This activates AMPK, inhibits mTOR, induces autophagy, promotes hematopoietic stem cell regeneration, and sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy while protecting normal cells (differential stress resistance).

Clinical Status

ProLon FMD commercialized. Clinical trials show reduced biomarkers of aging, cancer risk factors, and inflammation. Phase II trials as chemotherapy adjunct show reduced side effects.

Relevant Diseases

• Stage IV Cancer
• Alzheimer's Disease

Relevant Therapies

• Lifestyle Interventions

Related Terms

• Autophagy
• mTOR
• IGF-1
• Ketogenic diet