A Periodic Diet that Mimics Fasting Promotes Multi-System Regeneration, Enhanced Cognitive Performance, and Healthspan.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Pilot randomized clinical trial combined with preclinical (yeast and mouse) experiments
PubMed 26094889 · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2015.05.012
What was done
The study evaluated periodic fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) regimens across yeast, mice, and humans. In yeast, lifespan was assessed under alternating prolonged fasting and nutrient-rich conditions. In mice, 4-day bi-monthly FMD cycles starting at middle age or old age were evaluated for organ size changes, post-refeeding stem and progenitor cell activation, longevity, body composition, tumor incidence, bone mineral density, immune rejuvenation, hippocampal neurogenesis, and cognitive performance. In humans, a pilot randomized clinical trial evaluated safety and changes in disease risk biomarkers across three FMD cycles.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, confidence intervals, or sample sizes. Reported directions are: in yeast, fasting cycles extended lifespan independently of pro-longevity genes; in mice, FMD cycles followed by refeeding stimulated progenitor and stem cell elevation, organ regeneration, extended lifespan, decreased visceral fat, reduced cancer incidence and skin lesions, slowed bone mineral density loss, rejuvenated the immune system, lowered IGF-1 and PKA activity, increased NeuroD1, promoted hippocampal neurogenesis, and improved cognitive performance; in humans, three FMD cycles decreased biomarkers and risk factors for aging, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer with no major adverse effects.
Why it matters
This paper outlines a fasting-mimicking dietary protocol capable of coordinating multi-system regeneration and healthspan extension in animal models, offering initial pilot proof-of-concept for biomarker modulation in humans.
Limits
The abstract provides no sample sizes (n is unstated for all models and human subjects) and reports no numerical data or effect sizes. The clinical component is restricted to a pilot trial measuring surrogate risk biomarkers rather than long-term clinical endpoints or survival. Extensive findings in yeast and mice may not directly translate to clinical human outcomes.
Cited by
- supports Periodic extended fasting that triggers preferential turnover of old proteins has been shown in animal studies to extend lifespan.