ProLon® is the first and only five-day Fasting Mimicking Diet™ that nourishes your body while supporting overall health. Studies have shown that fasting can have a positive effect on a number of health-related issues including cholesterol, inflammation and fasting glucose levels.
Questions and answers
What is the ProLon® Fasting Mimicking Diet™?
The ProLon® Fasting Mimicking Diet™ is a five-day meal program made of healthy natural ingredients. During the program, your body does not recognise that it is eating so remains in fasting mode, while the carefully designed meals and snacks provide proper daily nourishment and the feeling of satisfaction. ProLon® has been scientifically developed through decades of research and clinical trials by Dr Valter Longo at the University of Southern California’s Longevity Institute and Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute.
What do I eat and drink during the diet?
Meals come in five boxes, one for each day, and include plant-based* energy bars, soups, and a variety of snacks, drinks and supplements. All ingredients have been studied and carefully designed to nourish your body and promote positive changes. The meals and snacks are low in carbohydrates and proteins, and contain beneficial fatty acids. Energy intake during the five-day program is between 750 and 1,100 calories per day. No other food or supplements are consumed during the five days, and preferably no other liquid other than water. On day six, a transition diet is followed, starting with liquid foods and progressing to light meals. For the remainder of the month (from day seven), you can eat and drink as normal. The recommended initial frequency for following the program is monthly for three consecutive months.
*ProLon® contains honey and gelatin.
How hungry will I be?
As ProLon® provides a low-calorie diet, it is normal for some hunger to be experienced during the five-day program. In clinical trials, most participants reported only a low level of periodic hunger, which generally subsided by day three or four. As the body adjusts, especially on day two, you may experience some dizziness or weakness. The vegetable-based energy drink, provided as part of the program for nutritional support through the day, is helpful in such instances.
What are the benefits?
Fasting (or fasting mimicking) triggers a set of protective measures that our bodies developed during natural selection when food was scarce and difficult to store, specifically:
- Cellular entry into a high-protection and stress-resistant mode
- Removal of damaged cells and tissues
- Self-repair through cellular regeneration and rejuvenation
- Decreased abdominal fat and increased relative lean body mass
- Decreased fasting glucose
- Decreased C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation)
- Decreased IGF-1 (associated with DNA damage, mortality and ageing)
Using the program between three and twelve times per year allows you to maintain the long-lasting benefits of fasting. Dr Rose will advise on the optimal frequency for you to use the program.
How much weight will I lose?
The amount of weight lost during the program varies between individuals. Dr Rose will discuss this with you and work with you on meeting your own weight goals.
Is ProLon® right for me?
ProLon® is intended for use by people who want to optimise their health and wellbeing, by people who are overweight or obese and want to manage their weight in an easy and healthy way, and by people who have well-known markers for chronic conditions. ProLon® is not suitable for people with a BMI less than 18.5, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 18, people with allergies to nuts or soya, or people with serious medical conditions. For people with certain medical conditions, depending on the illness, medical history and current medications, ProLon® may be combined with the standard-of-care treatment, but it cannot be prescribed to prevent or treat diseases. During your consultation, Dr Rose will assess your health and suitability for ProLon®.