Yes, fasting is undoubtedly a great practice that enhances lifespan but its also about
community, mindfulness, movement laughter and so much more. Many of you will be
familiar with the Blue Zones which has been written about by the founder Dan Buettner
and referred to extensively through much of the fasting mimicking diet research
conducted by Professor Valter Longo.
A research team went to Sardina in 2004 to investigate the region where a genetic quirk due to geographic isolation resulted in exceptional longevity. This was primarily linked toa traditional healthy lifestyle adopted by its inhabitants.
Here are just a couple nutritional nuggets. Did you know that pecorino cheese made
from grass fed sheep is high in omega 3 fatty acids? This forms part of the traditional
diet eaten by Sardinians along with whole grains, garden vegetables fruits and
occasional dairy. Along with a little wine too! A particular Cannonau wine from
garnet-red grenache grapes, which has the flavour of ripe cherries, spices and a hint of
vanilla. Apparently, this has two to three times the level of artery scrubbing flavonoids than other red wines with numerous studies showing their potential anti inflammatory
effects.
There is also a great focus on community within this and other blue zone regions–which is a key aspect of well being and longevity. After all, who said fasting had to be
a hardship or austere.
Sure, it can be a time of introspection and reflection, but also it can be a time of
gratitude and joy. This is especially so when you engage with others. Interestingly many couples are using the 5 day prolonged fasting mimicking diet (FMD) product ProLon to
fast together.
Using this time to come together share the experience and support one another is a
valuable opportunity to practice mutual self-care.
Indeed, many nutritional health practitioners now hold supporting fasting bubbles where
people buddy up and go through the journey together. This allows valuable feedback
and communal support to help navigate the 5-day fasting journey.
So, its not something that requires retreating to a monastery, or a reclusive space, useful as that may be. It’s not everyone’s experience and there is certainly a growing place for
collective community engagement and fasting retreats.
That said, creating the space and time is an important feature leading to a sense of
achievement through successful completion of the fasting journey, whatever length of
time.
Professor Valter Longo and his research team recently developed an exciting new
product that makes the task of mimicking the fasting with food experience easier. That
journey has now become easier due to the inclusion of the one day fasting product
called ReSet. This is a gentler more accessible introduction to the world of fasting
mimicking diets and opens up a pathway to new possibilities around metabolic flexibility and enhanced lifespan.
Creating awareness around the concept of longevity and what steps you can take to
improve lifespan may begin with something as attainable as a one day fast with food.
According to Daniel Pompa the author of ‘The Cellular Healing Diet’ fasting markedly
improves almost every health condition, it does this by downregulating cellular
inflammation. Furthermore, a study in 2014 suggested that fasting for three consecutive
days actually ‘flips a switch’ to ignite regeneration of the immune system.
The same study also found that prolonged fasting triggered a reduction of the enzyme
protein kinase alpha (PKA) which is linked to ageing and increased risk of cancer.
The concept of connection and longevity is also highlighted in the book ‘The Pioppi Diet’.
Inside Dr Aseem Malhorta, one of the UK’s leading cardiologists outlines two key
elements that have underpinned longevity principals for a small Italian community for
centuries.
In chapters 13 and 15 he describes the specific benefits of intermittent fasting The concept of connection and longevity is also highlighted in the book ‘The Pioppi Diet’.
Inside Dr Aseem Malhorta, one of the UK’s leading cardiologists outlines two key
elements that have underpinned longevity
principals for a small Italian community for centuries. In chapters 13 and 15 he describes
the specific benefits of intermittent fasting and a movement protocol that form part of a lifestyle approach.
He has also been sampling the 5 day FMD in his practice recently where we connected atthe recent Health Optimisation Summit in London and a movement protocol that form
part of a lifestyle approach.
Having a holistic approach to health, wellbeing and how that impacts longevity and
lifespan is uniquely personal. So, it’s not simply about the food but more about finding a balance between mindful movement and dietary lifestyle practice.
Whether its one, two, three or five days of fasting, mindful movement or
meditation there is little doubt that practicing tiny habits on a consistent
basis can produce enhanced lifespan, longevity and wellbeing.
The lighter months are great times to be leaning into your fasting
practice – whether it be intermittent, alternate day 5:2 or 1,2,3 or 5 days in duration
the choice is yours.
Finally, do be mindful to stay well hydrated during the hotter spells to assist with flushing out your metabolic waste during your fast and include some
non-flavoured electrolytes for cellular support.
Comments