Latest news with #FastingMimickingDiet
USA Today
28-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
The Diabetes Epidemic: Is Medication Masking the Problem?
The Diabetes Epidemic: Is Medication Masking the Problem? In the United States, over 30 million people suffer from diabetes, while nearly 98 million are classified as pre-diabetic. Unfortunately, rather than addressing the fundamental lifestyle factors that contribute to Type 2 diabetes, patients and providers have become increasingly reliant on medications that slow the progression of the disease rather than reversing it. The rise of GLP-1s, which were initially approved for diabetes management and later for obesity treatment, underscores this trend. While medications can provide short-term benefits, they often come with significant side effects, including muscle and bone mass loss, and in some cases, severe vision issues like ischemic optic neuropathy. These risks raise an important question: are these medications truly treating diabetes, or are they merely masking its symptoms while creating new health challenges? Recent clinical research offers a compelling alternative to the medication-first approach. A groundbreaking study involving 100 Type 2 diabetes patients with BMIs over 27 and HbA1C levels above 6.5% compared the effectiveness of standard care versus an innovative intervention—the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD). This study, a randomized controlled trial, introduced the concept of "glycemic management," a metric that measures effectiveness based on medication reduction. Participants in the FMD group underwent 12 monthly cycles of a 5-day fasting-mimicking regimen, conducted through L-Nutra Health, followed by 25 days of their regular diet, alongside standard diabetes care. The control group received standard diabetes care alone. The results were striking: Medication Reduction: Participants in the FMD group were eight times more likely to reduce their medication dosage, with 56% either reducing or eliminating their medications entirely, compared to just 10% in the control group. Glycemic Management: 53% of FMD participants showed more likelihood of lowering HbA1c or reducing diabetes medication use, compared to only 8% in the control group. Improved Insulin Sensitivity: The FMD group demonstrated enhanced insulin sensitivity, allowing their bodies to better regulate blood sugar levels. Anthropometric Benefits: Weight loss, reduced BMI, decreased waist circumference, and lower body fat percentages were observed, all without significant loss of fat-free mass (i.e., muscle). 'The results support our leadership within the 'Food is Medicine' movement by presenting a novel program that supports disease regression for most patients (needing fewer medications) and some with disease remission (needing no medication)' said Dr. William Hsu, Chief Medical Officer at L-Nutra Health and former VP of Harvard's Joslin Diabetes Center. 'This is the second successful FMD clinical trial in Type 2 diabetes, showing safety and enhanced efficacy over standard care alone.' It's dangerous to become entrenched in a cycle of treating symptoms rather than underlying causes. The widespread use of medications—often prescribed in increasing doses over time—creates a dependency that not only fails to address root causes but also introduces new risks. Research suggests that around 10% of hospital admissions in people over 60 are due to medication-related issues, with polypharmacy (the use of multiple drugs simultaneously) exacerbating the problem. Meanwhile, nutritional and lifestyle-based solutions like FMD, which have been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate the need for diabetes medications, struggle to receive the same level of recognition or funding. The evidence is clear—Type 2 diabetes does not have to be a life sentence of escalating medication use. Instead, interventions like FMD provide a viable alternative that can not only improve blood sugar levels but also reduce or eliminate the need for medication altogether. Dr. Joseph Antoun, CEO of L-Nutra, passionately advocates for a shift in the current approach to diabetes management: 'Diabetes patients have been underserved with two impossible options: either to adhere to a strict daily dieting and lifestyle routine, or never-ending prescriptions of medications with chemicals and side effects. With the L-Nutra Health's Fasting Mimicking Diet programs, we have successfully enhanced the natural rejuvenating power of fasting with food, making the regression and remission of diabetes within every patient's reach.' As long as medication-based treatments remain the standard of care, it is up to patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers to push for alternative solutions that address the root cause of disease rather than simply suppressing its symptoms. The future of diabetes care must be one that prioritizes sustainable, science-backed nutritional interventions—before it turns into an endless cycle of pharmaceutical dependency. *This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scouted: I Tried Prolon's 5-Day ‘Fasting-Mimicking' Program and Lived to Tell the Tale
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Like many food lovers, the word 'fasting' has always intimidated me—especially since I've committed to exercising consistently in 2025. When I saw a food influencer post about Prolon's 'Fasting Mimicking' Nutrition program last year, I was instantly intrigued—particularly because she said she felt amazing during the entire five-day program. At the start of the new year, I was looking for a reset, but juice cleanses, and caffeine-free programs were a hard pass for me. Prolon's program promises to deliver the benefits of fasting (we'll get into that later) while still allowing you to eat a small amount of solids and liquids. Essentially, the low-calorie diet tricks your body into thinking it's fasting, letting you reap the benefits without severe caloric restriction. Dr. Valter Longo, founder of L-Nutra and creator of the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD), developed the nutrition program to help patients lose weight and, more importantly, reduce cholesterol, lower age-related disease risk, boost metabolic health, and promote longevity. Prolon's program has also been clinically tested by the laboratory of Dr. Longo and Keck Hospital at the University of Southern California, which is a big deal—something many other fasting programs and cleanses can't claim. The super-structured program comes in one-day and five-day options. After the indulgent holiday season, I opted for the five-day reset. Proponents of the five-day diet (and the brand) say that in addition to helping you shed a few pounds, the FMD may support longevity by stimulating autophagy (inner cellular rejuvenation). Opponents argue there isn't enough data to support these claims and suggest that sending your body into starvation mode may not be as effective for long-term health as consistently eating whole foods. As a neutral observer, I decided to test the five-day program to see what happened. When I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised by the organization. It contains five separate boxes for each day, each filled with your 'meals' and supplements. The meals come in the form of plant-based soups, bars, snacks, specific drinks, and supplements. You're also allowed unlimited water and one cup of black coffee (minus the creamer) per day. Personally, I wouldn't give up caffeine for anything, so this was a huge plus for me. Each day, you're consuming around 700 to 1,000 calories, depending on the day. The box also includes a 'menu' that outlines everything you'll eat (and are allowed to drink) for each day. Day one was the easiest since I hadn't fasted the day before, and the program kicked off with a higher-calorie day. Days three and five were definitely the hardest—and based on other reviews, I wasn't alone—because you're only getting about 700 calories, and you don't get your end-of-day 'treat,' the Choco Crisp L-Bar. Each day starts with a nut-forward bar, which is pretty satisfying and helps keep you full. Lunch is usually a soup of some sort, and in the afternoon, on three of the days, you get either kale and almond crackers or a pack of olives. Dinner is another soup, and on days one and two, you get a small 'dessert.' You're also given a glycerin liquid to mix with water, which 'provides the body with an alternate energy source to use instead of lean body mass during days 2-5 of the fast,' as well as several herbal tea bags. Again, the unlimited water and tea, plus one cup of black coffee, were my saving grace. It's not the best food I've ever had, but I didn't expect it to be. I was surprised by how good some of the soups, crackers, and olives were. I expected to feel famished and repulsed by the soups' flavor (or lack thereof). While I definitely wouldn't choose the Carrot Ginger soup again, I really enjoyed the Green Pea and Chives and Lentil Curry soups and would eat them even if I wasn't on the FMD diet. The kale and almond crackers and olive packs were also delicious. I'm already hunting for alternatives on Amazon and Costco so I can enjoy them every day. I was also impressed by the creamy consistency of the soups. I had imagined they'd be chalky (like some powdered greens supplements), but they weren't at all. In theory, yes. In fact, the brand suggests you maintain your normal lifestyle as much as possible while on the program. However, I kept my workouts low-impact (i.e., walking) and skipped my usual heated Pilates fusion classes and weight training. These classes are heated to 105°F and combine bursts of cardio and HIIT. I was worried about feeling faint, and they significantly increased my appetite. With brisk walks on an incline for three of the five days, I felt OK (I skipped days three and five because I was more tired and lightheaded). By day six, I had lost five pounds. While most of this was likely water weight, I haven't regained it yet. I attribute this to the transition diet (days six and seven), which is recommended after the program. The brand suggests slowly introducing easy-to-digest foods like beans, grains, and lean protein in the two days following completion. Despite the significant caloric reduction, I didn't feel as exhausted and malnourished as I'd anticipated. The third and fifth days were challenging, but that was mostly due to temptation from others around me who weren't doing the cleanse. If you follow a lot of food influencers or enjoy reading restaurant reviews, I recommend taking a break from this during the program. Trust me, watching TikToks of Mukbangs and food reviews will test your willpower. I learned this the hard way. Another concern I had was how the reduced calories would impact my sleep. I typically don't sleep well when I don't eat a good dinner, and I tend to eat later than most. I can't go to bed hungry and still function the next day, especially with only one cup of coffee. Fortunately, like many others, my sleep was OK. The fifth night was rough, and my Oura Ring called me out for my lack of 'readiness,' but I figured one night of subpar sleep was worth the other benefits. Plus, I didn't feel sluggish or zombified the next day, which I attribute to the FMD benefits. This was much more manageable than I expected, and I will definitely do another five-day program before summer. It's important to note that Prolon is not for everyone, especially athletes, those with eating disorders, or individuals with certain health conditions. It's always recommended to consult your physician or healthcare provider before starting a new diet or lifestyle shift.
