Fasting diet may decrease risk of health conditions

A team of researchers from the University of Southern California have developed a diet, named the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD), which it is claimed can provide a number of health benefits from just five days of fasting each month.
The diet restricts calorie intake to between 34 and 54 per cent of a dieter’s normal intake, with attention to detail paid to ensure that appropriate amounts of carbohydrates, fat and protein are consumed.
Once the five days of restricted eating are finished, dieters are apparently allowed to consume whatever food they want.
Results from the study suggested that levels of IFG-I, a hormone linked to aging and cancer risk, decreased. And within three months of following this diet, results indicated that there were reduced biomarkers related to diabetes, cancer and heart disease, in the dieters’ bodies, as well as them having reduced body fat.
“Strict fasting is hard for people to stick to, and it can also be dangerous, so we developed a complex diet that triggers the same effects in the body,” said Professor Valter Longo, from the University of Southern California.
However, a number of health experts strongly recommend people avoid ‘extreme’ diets such as this, instead suggesting people follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Consuming plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whilst reducing your intake of sugar and processed food, is a good way to eat healthily.