The ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a pre-packaged, five-day meal program designed to provide the body with specific nutrients while allowing it to remain in a fasting-like state. This approach aims to deliver the benefits associated with prolonged fasting, but without requiring complete food deprivation. The program offers a structured plan, providing all necessary meals and supplements for the duration.
The Science of Fasting Mimicking
The Fasting Mimicking Diet concept originated from over two decades of research by Dr. Valter Longo and his team at the University of Southern California’s Longevity Institute. Their work focused on how dietary interventions influence aging and disease progression. The core principle involves triggering the body’s protective measures against nutrient scarcity without requiring a water-only fast.
This dietary pattern reduces specific growth pathways, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), mTOR, and PKA. By downregulating these, the body shifts from a growth-promoting mode to cellular stress resistance and repair, activating metabolic changes associated with prolonged calorie restriction.
The ProLon 5-Day Program
The ProLon program provides a kit with five individually portioned boxes, one for each day. Each box contains all the food, drinks, and supplements. The meals are plant-based and gluten-free, with a precise balance of macronutrients.
Daily food items include a variety of soups (e.g., minestrone, tomato, mushroom), nut bars (almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans), and snacks like olives and kale crackers. Herbal teas (hibiscus, spearmint) are also provided for hydration.
The kit also contains supplements, such as algal oil for omega-3 fatty acids and a powdered vegetable supplement (NR-1) for vitamins and minerals. A glycerol-based L-Drink is included for days two through five to support energy as the body transitions into a deeper fasting state. Caloric intake is approximately 1,100 calories on day one, reducing to 770-800 calories on subsequent days.
Biological Processes During the Fast
During the ProLon 5-day program, the body undergoes several physiological transitions, shifting its primary fuel source. Within the first 24 hours, the body depletes stored glycogen reserves in the liver. It then transitions into ketosis, burning stored fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.
A primary focus of the diet is to promote autophagy, a natural cellular process. Autophagy involves the body cleaning out and recycling old or damaged cellular components, contributing to cellular rejuvenation and repair.
The diet’s specific macronutrient composition, low in protein and simple carbohydrates while containing healthy fats, supports these processes. This metabolic shift can also improve markers such as insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. Periodic use of the FMD may contribute to a reduction in biological age.
Who Should Consider This Diet
The ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet is intended for healthy adults seeking to support metabolic balance or healthy aging. Individuals interested in a structured approach to experience fasting effects while still consuming food may consider this program. It can also serve as a potential reset for dietary habits.
The diet is unsuitable for certain individuals. It should not be used by those who are pregnant or nursing, or by individuals who are underweight (BMI below 18.5, or below 20 for older adults). People with a history of eating disorders should also avoid this program.
Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, including liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, or other metabolic disorders, should not undertake the ProLon program without a healthcare professional’s authorization and supervision. Anyone with allergies to the kit’s ingredients, such as nuts, soy, or oats, must avoid the diet. Consulting a doctor before starting any new dietary regimen is always recommended.