Fasting Mimicking Diet | A Powerful Way to Heal Yourself

As you guys know, I’m a HUGE proponent for fasting and I’m always excited to see studies coming out  on the benefits of fasting. I don’t like using the term ‘fasting diet’, as I see this as a lifestyle and not just a diet!

Starting back in 2016, a series of studies have been done by the University of Southern California that show that even periodic fasting of a few days every month can reduce abdominal fat, make people smarter and increase longevity. They called this a ‘Fasting Mimicking Diet’ (FMD) because, unlike normal water fasting, using this protocol there is still a caloric intake.

In one of these studies, they reduced calories by 34-54% of a normal intake for a period of 5 days twice a month. The result was reduced amounts of IGF-1 in the bloodstream. This is a promoter for aging and cancer susceptibility so lower amounts is a very welcome result. The fasting in this study also “increased hormone IGFBP-, and reduced biomarkers/risk factors linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, including glucose, trunk fat and C-reactive protein without negatively affecting muscle and bone mass.”

So basically FMD reduced abdominal fat but not muscle mass and it also increased the levels of circulating stem cells. Head researcher, Professor Valter Longo said “It’s about reprogramming the body so it enters a slower aging mode, but also rejuvenates you through stem cell-based regeneration.,” 

The study also suggested that FMD can be done as infrequently as every 3-6 months and still yield benefits but obviously the more frequent the better. 

In my opinion, one of the greatest advantages of the FMD is that you can reap the benefits of an extended water fast – things like full ketosis, autophagy, creation of stem cells and completely resetting your metabolism – without having to stop eating completely which will make fasting as option for a lot more people!

The History of FMD

This process of only eating a small amount of calories once a day is not a new thing. It goes back thousands and thousands of years to ancient and biblical times! It was practised by people you have probably heard of, like Jesus, Pythagorus, Plato and Socrates along with many others. They all went through this deep process of fasting and introspection.

And I believe it was actually a process of evolution – mentally, emotionally, physically, socially, spiritually and financially. A big introspection of life! And that is a really beautiful thing.

In the ancient texts and recordings it says that these individuals fasted for 20 days or 40 days but if you really go deep, you will discover that they would sit once a day and have a very small offering. And it was considered ‘ordained for fasting’ by God. Some of them would have a little bit of goat’s milk and dates. In the Bible there are references to fasting on ‘locusts’ in the desert. What they were actually referring to was the locust pods of the carob trees.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

When they were having their one small meal of the day, they would sit and go through a process of meditation and asking questions. And when you ask in this way, it is said that it will be given. ‘Ask and ye shall receive.’

So they would actually sit while they were fasting and put their energy into the food and think about the answers they were searching for.  It was a very emotional experience! And it is said that it was ordained by God so it was still considered fasting.

Isn’t it interesting that, all these years later, the University of Southern California has discovered that if you limit yourself to 500 calories a day you will get all the benefits of a full water fast! It’s pretty amazing.

What to Eat?

So you could choose to have some dates or fruit or an avocado. Or you might choose to drink your 500 calories for the day and have 3 litres of vegetable broth or 2 litres of coconut water or a whole litre of really nutritious green juice – and still get all the benefits of a water fast!

Whatever you choose, that little bit of nutrition will keep you going and give you energy.

It’s All About the Preparation!

I have been running fasting programs in Bali for many years and I have spent a lot of time taking people with chronic disease and guiding them through extended water fasts – most of the time 21 days or more. And let me tell you, there is a LOT of preparation that is needed for that type of fasting. And there are a lot of things you need to be doing while you are fasting – a lot of tracking that needs to take place to make sure you aren’t getting sick and making sure you actually break the fast properly and get all the benefits from it.

So, if the thought of doing an extended water fast is daunting to you, or even if you are a seasoned water or juice faster, consider giving the FMD a try!

Of course, make sure you are doing it safely and being monitored by someone who knows what they are doing. And always check your bloods first to make sure you aren’t deficient in anything. I would highly recommend reaching out to one of my Tolman Health Coaches and have them guide you through it. They can teach you all the practices you can do that make fasting easier!

Doing a 4 day Colon Cleanse with reduced caloric intake would also give you great results.

So, come on people, join me for a fast and start feeling amazing and living a longer, healthy life!