Table of Contents
- 1 This is what lies behind false fasting
- 2 Mock fasting: success in five days?
- 3 The cells’ waste disposal system benefits
- 4 This is how mock fasting works
- 5 The advantage of false fasting
- 6 Stay consistent and adjust your diet
- 7 **Given the emphasis on sirtuin activators in Mock Fasting, what scientific evidence supports their role in triggering autophagy and achieving the purported benefits of this diet, and are there alternative dietary approaches to activate sirtuins without strict calorie restriction?**
During mock fasting, the body reaps the benefits of abstaining from food. The highlight: you can still eat.
This is what lies behind false fasting
The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) was developed in the USA, at the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California under the leadership of aging researcher Valter Longo.
The difference to other types of calorie restriction: False fasting is not a classic “zero diet” that leaves you hungry and in a bad mood. It cannot be compared to intermittent fasting either. When you fake fast, you only act as if you were really fasting. The positive effects supposedly still occur.
Mock fasting: success in five days?
“During mock fasting, you consume around 1,000 calories a day for five days,” says Bernd Kleine-Gunk, President of the German Society for Anti-Aging Medicine. That is “about half as much as normal”.
The diet consists of complex carbohydrates, such as salad and vegetables, healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, avocado and olive oil, and vegetable protein, such as legumes.
You are allowed to eat three times a day. However, people skimp on simple carbohydrates such as white rice, bread and pasta, sugar and – which may sound unusual for those who are experienced in losing weight and fasting – animal protein.
The cells’ waste disposal system benefits
“Animal protein gives the body the signal for growth,” says Bernd Kleine-Gunk, explaining the background to the abstinence. “With mock fasting, however, you want to do the opposite.” You don’t want to “feed” the cells, but rather give them a break from the building processes. “It is only during this break, in standby mode, that the organism dissolves defective or old cells and recycles their material.” This process is called autophagocytosis or autophagy. It is based on a kind of internal waste disposal system of the cell, which causes its renewal or “rejuvenation”.
According to the anti-aging expert, other positive metabolic processes are set in motion during false fasting: for example ketosis, i.e. fat burning. “The body does not enter the state of ketosis during intermittent fasting,” says Kleine-Gunk. Because the body only uses up its carbohydrate stores after long periods of fasting and only then begins to use its fat stores. The calorie restriction phase of intermittent fasting is too short for lasting anti-aging effects.
A typical pseudo-fasting breakfast would be a vegetable smoothie, for example. A cup of coffee is also allowed. Vegetable curries with lentils and coconut milk, salads and soups are served for lunch and dinner. Add three to four cups of unsweetened tea and water throughout the day.
This is how mock fasting works
The 5-day fasting cycle can be repeated approximately every three months. In between, it is recommended to eat according to the so-called Sirtfood principle. The name is derived from sirtuins, a group of the body’s own, multifunctional enzymes. Their activity should be specifically stimulated through the absorption of certain secondary plant substances.
Anyone who tries to eat according to this principle between fasting phases will also support cell renewal. Bernd Kleine-Gunk speaks of “sirtuin activators”. They are found, for example, in broccoli, kale, apples, blueberries, walnuts, olive oil, onions, turmeric, coffee and red wine. “A sirtu-inactivating breakfast would be quinoa porridge or chocolate tonka quark. Both can be eaten with fresh berries,” says the expert.
For lunch and dinner, dishes such as savoy cabbage and mushroom stew with buckwheat, orecchiette pasta with broccoli or kale soup with meatballs can be considered. You can also snack between fasting days. For example, homemade muesli bars or “superfood” balls made from kernels, seeds and dried fruits.
The advantage of false fasting
The nutritional doctor Hans Hauner from the Technical University of Munich is not really impressed by the fasting concept.
“Mock fasting is well-known knowledge wrapped in a new guise,” he says. He sees clever marketing in the sale of the fasting boxes, which can be bought for the fasting days. “The fact that people in Sardinia or Japan, for example, live longer has long been researched,” says Hauner. “The reasons for this are also obvious: predominantly plant-based food, plus fish, healthy fats such as olive oil, enough exercise, a favorable climate, less stress.”
Hauner is positive about the fact that pseudo-fasting keeps the levels of insulin and the hormone IGF-1 low. They activate and possibly accelerate aging processes in the cells. In addition, dealing with nutritional issues generally makes sense, says Hauner. “With this fasting variant, the view of food and its nutrient composition certainly changes. You perceive the feeling of hunger differently.” He also makes it clear: “But if you want to lose weight in the long term and live healthier, you obviously won’t achieve that in five days.”
Stay consistent and adjust your diet
So the question is how you manage to continue eating healthily after fasting and maintain your weight. The plant-based Sirtfood diet is certainly a good starting point. Also because it is easy to implement.
You should eat as varied and colorful a diet as possible. Red tomatoes, green broccoli, yellow turmeric. You can say: the more colorful, the more healthy secondary plant substances.
And since plant-based foods also contain plenty of filling fiber, it is easier to maintain your figure.
**Given the emphasis on sirtuin activators in Mock Fasting, what scientific evidence supports their role in triggering autophagy and achieving the purported benefits of this diet, and are there alternative dietary approaches to activate sirtuins without strict calorie restriction?**
## Interview: Deconstructing the Hype Around Mock Fasting
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News, where we delve deeper into trending topics impacting your health and well-being. Today, we’re tackling the growing popularity of ”Mock Fasting,” also known as the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD). Joining us are two distinguished experts: Dr. Bernd Kleine-Gunk, President of the German Society for Anti-Aging Medicine, a strong proponent of FMD, and Dr. Hans Hauner, Nutritional Doctor at the Technical University of Munich, who takes a more cautious stance. We’ll be exploring the scientific backing, practicality, and potential downsides of this controversial diet.
**Section 1: What is Mock Fasting and How Does it Work?**
* Dr. Kleine-Gunk, you’ve been a vocal advocate for FMD. Can you tell us in your own words what distinguishes this approach from traditional fasting or intermittent fasting? What are the core principles behind its supposed benefits?
* Dr. Hauner, you’ve expressed reservations about FMD being presented as a revolutionary new concept. Could you elaborate on your concerns? While acknowledging the potential benefits of restricting animal protein and processed foods, are there any inherent flaws in this specific approach?
**Section 2: The Science Behind Autophagy and Sirtuins:**
* Dr. Kleine-Gunk, the article emphasizes the role of autophagy in cell renewal during FMD. Can you explain this process in simple terms and why it’s considered crucial for healthy aging?
* FMD also involves incorporating “Sirtuins activators” into the diet. Could you both explain what these are and how they contribute to the overall effectiveness of this diet, or lack thereof, according to your respective viewpoints?
**Section 3: Practicality and Long-Term Sustainability:**
* The FMD involves a strict calorie restriction for five days followed by a more relaxed “Sirtfood” approach. How realistic is it for individuals to maintain this cycle consistently? What are the potential downsides of frequent calorie restriction, even if it’s for short periods?
* Dr. Hauner, you mentioned focusing on establishing long-term healthy eating habits. Could you suggest some alternative, sustainable dietary adjustments that might offer similar benefits to FMD without the need for restrictive cycles?
**Section 4: Weighing the Pros and Cons:**
* Considering both sides of the argument, what are the most compelling arguments for and against incorporating Mock Fasting into one’s lifestyle?
* For individuals interested in exploring FMD further, what are some crucial things they should consider before embarking on this dietary change, potentially under the guidance of a healthcare professional?
**Conclusion:**
We’d like to thank Dr. Kleine-Gunk and Dr. Hauner for sharing their expertise and perspectives on Mock Fasting. We hope this discussion has shed light on the complexities surrounding this popular diet trend, empowering our viewers to make informed decisions about their own health journey. Remember, the most crucial aspect of any dietary change is individualization and consulting with a healthcare professional to ensure it aligns with your specific needs and goals.
