One of the first rules of fasting is to sleep as much as you can! Unfortunately, I am awake earlier than usual as my husband departed at 3:30a.m. for a golf road trip with friends! Historically, I am a light sleeper and there have been times where I felt like a chronic insomniac. Fortunately the past few years I have made sleep a priority and tried to follow the guidelines of early morning sunlight, minimize blue light near bedtime, keep the bedroom quiet, cool and dark, exercise earlier in the day, minimize caffeine, and use epsom salt baths and magnesium glycinate to help relax. For the most part these skills have served me well. Many users of the Prolon fast do report sleeping better so hopefully I will discover the same benefit. (I will be sure to let you know!) While I purchased this kit a few weeks ago, I delayed implementing the fast awaiting a weekend with few distractions and events. It has arrived!
"The Fasting Mimicking Program is a five-day fasting program based on healthy natural products and ingredients. Your body, however, does not recognize that it is being fed. This causes the body to enter a fasting mode.Scientifically developed and clinically tested, this nutritional breakthrough was invented at the University of Southern California. Led by Dr. Valter Longo, the USC Longevity Institute brings together multidisciplinary aging research in order to enhance human healthspan." (https://www.valterlongo.com/fasting-mimicking-program-and-longevity/)
One of the primary benefits of fasting occurs through the process of AUTOPHAGY. Autophagy is your body's deep-cleaning mechanism, a process of cellular clean-up in the body that is believed to begin when glucose and insulin levels drop considerably. (Recall glucose and insulin levels rise with food, particularly high sugar, high carb, processed foods). Auto means "self" and phagy means "eating" so the literal meaning of autophagy is "self-eating!" This is the body's way of cleaning out damaged cells in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells. Fasting and autophagy also leads to reduced appetite. This would be a first for me as I love to eat! Even intermittent fasting can stimulate this process, one reason sleep is so important as when we sleep the body undergoes its natural restore and repair process until we "break-fast" with breakfast.
Prolon states that it is not possible to replicate the FMD (fasting mimicking diet) at home. According to the info packet, "Prolon provides a balanced, proprietary, and patented composition of carbs, protein, fats, and sugars in a unique proportion, amount, and timing that does not turn on the nutrient-sensing pathways of the body. Therefore, it allows your body to enter and remain in a fasting state. It is this fasting state that provides the array of health benefits associated with the use of ProLon. Over 20 years of global scientific research conducted at prestigious institutions has gone into the developement of this uniqe Nutri-technology." While I agree it would likely be impossible to duplicate the L-bar or their patented soup recipes or almond crackers, I can tell just by the ingredients on the label that my current dietary habits compliment this fasting program. For instance, I have made home-made granola bars with almonds, coconut, flaxseed and almond butter which are all ingredients in the patented L-bar. I have learned that these ingredients support my health and reduce glucose spikes and hunger cravings. This was another reason for wanting to invest in this fast, to learn the foods and combinations of food recommended by research specialists in the field of fasting, health, and wellness.
One of the premier experts on fasting, Dr. Jason Fung encourages people to get clear on what foods they should eat and when, in order to level up our health. He offers many suggestions in his books, podcasts, and online resources. Whether looking to reverse Type 2 diabetes, improve mental health and clarity, or facilitate weight loss healthy eating and intermittent fasting can have amazing results.Today I plan to listen to Lewis Howes The School of Greatness with Dr.Fung:podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1031-the-science-of-intermittent-fasting-foods-to/id596047499?i=1000498096589
And yesterday I enjoyed Dr. Will Cole and The Art of Being Well: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1031-the-science-of-intermittent-fasting-foods-to/id596047499?i=1000498096589
And yesterday I enjoyed Dr. Will Cole and The Art of Being Well: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1031-the-science-of-intermittent-fasting-foods-to/id596047499?i=1000498096589
Overall my goals include increased energy, mental alertness, restful sleep and metabolic flexibility. Thanks for reading!
RSS Feed