Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD / ProLon)
Metabolic Health · Fasting
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD / ProLon) as B- (6.3/10) based on moderate evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
Longo/Wei 2017 trial: 3 monthly cycles reduced biological age markers, BMI, blood pressure, IGF-1 in humans.
Typical use: 5 days monthly; ~1100 kcal day 1, ~750 kcal days 2-5; very low protein/carb — Commercial (ProLon) or DIY.
What this is
Longo/Wei 2017 trial: 3 monthly cycles reduced biological age markers, BMI, blood pressure, IGF-1 in humans. Brandhorst 2024 showed 2.5-year reduction in biological age after 3 cycles.
Mechanism
Low-calorie, low-protein, low-carb 5-day cycles designed to trigger fasting physiology (ketosis, IGF-1 reduction, autophagy) while allowing some food; monthly cycling
Dose & route
5 days monthly; ~1100 kcal day 1, ~750 kcal days 2-5; very low protein/carb
Citations
- https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(15)00224-7
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.aai8700
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-024-00571-w
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD / ProLon) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD / ProLon) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of B- (6.3/10). Longo/Wei 2017 trial: 3 monthly cycles reduced biological age markers, BMI, blood pressure, IGF-1 in humans.
- Is Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD / ProLon) safe?
- Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD / ProLon) has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Commercial (ProLon) or DIY. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD / ProLon)?
- 5 days monthly; ~1100 kcal day 1, ~750 kcal days 2-5; very low protein/carb
- How does Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD / ProLon) work?
- Low-calorie, low-protein, low-carb 5-day cycles designed to trigger fasting physiology (ketosis, IGF-1 reduction, autophagy) while allowing some food; monthly cycling
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.