The Fasting Mimicking Diet was created by Dr. Valter Longo, he sought to replicate the benefits of fasting while still providing the body with nutrition. His modifications avoid the calorie deprivation associated with other types of fasting. It is a type of intermittent fasting, however, it differs from more traditional types, such as the 16/8 method. The protocol is based on decades of research, including several clinical studies.
Why FMD if you could do a water fast instead? Well, I was on a cancer medication (targeted therapy in form of pills) I needed to take twice a day with food. Thus, I was not able to do a water fast. For optimal results, this plan must be followed every 1 to 6 months. It’s worth looking into articles and research, it looks very promising for cancer patients, there are trials going on as well.
According to one study, the diet is designed to provide 34–54% of normal calorie intake. This calorie restriction mimics the body’s physiological response to traditional fasting methods, such as cell regeneration, decreased inflammation, and fat loss. All meals and snacks are whole-food derived and plant based. FMD is designed for a 5-day period.
Day one of the diet provides approximately 1,090 kcal (10% protein, 56% fat, 34% carbs), while days two through five provide only 725 kcal (9% protein, 44% fat, 47% carbs), macros are obviously different on a ketogenic diet.
What has struck me, is the “high” calorie amount. I usually opt for around 1300-1400 kcal daily. Based on research of Dr. Thomas Seyfried a calorie restriction is needed to reach therapeutic levels of ketosis. My BMR is around 1450, 1300 gives me a small deficit to stay in ketosis. If I want to reach a higher level, I have to lower my calories. The goal is to reach a GKI(glucose ketone index) of 1, the highest level. At this level you start to purge cancerous and pre-cancerous cells.
Picture: one of my fasting mimicking meals, a salad made of edible nasturtium leaves and flowers, home grown broccoli sprouts, avocado, aronia berries and olive oil dressing with garlic.
More detailed info about my fasting mimicking experiment can be found here.
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