KETO DIET VS FASTING MIMICKING DIET?

The most popular nutritional strategies of the last decade are the keto diet and the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD); both of them have some differences. Keep reading this article to find out more.

What is a keto diet?

A keto diet is a strict nutritional regimen consisting of very low carbohydrates content, high fat, and a normal intake of protein. When people reduce carbohydrate ingestion and exhausting the body’s glucose reserve, there’s a shift of body metabolism into ketogenesis. The ketones produced become an important alternative to glucose as the body’s energy source. One of the reasons for the increased popularity of the keto diet is its effectiveness in weight loss. It is caused by the reduction in appetite for the higher satiety effects of proteins, a possible direct appetite suppression from ketone bodies, and increased lipolysis. 

What is the Fasting Mimicking Diet?

The Fasting Mimicking Diet is a plant-based diet program designed to attain intermittent fasting-like effects while providing adequate nourishment in terms of macro and micronutrients, to minimize the burden of only-water fasting. It comprises plant-based soups, energy bars, energy drinks, and a specific supplement formula, that simulates a condition of prolonged fasting.

The Fasting Mimicking Diet consists of a 5-day meal program, known as ProLon®, which includes a low-medium intake of carbohydrates. As well as the keto diet, also this regimen may induce a ketogenic state, as evidenced in individuals who do intermittent fasting. Hepatic production of ketone bodies is not only a physiological response to reduced nutritional carbohydrates but it can also be caused by hunger, due to the high caloric restriction. Keep reading to find out the difference between the keto diet and Fasting Mimicking Diet.

 Keto diet or Fasting Mimicking Diet?

Intermittent fasting seems to be more effective than a keto diet, because of the main biochemical involvement that they produce and the food categories they include. It is important to remember that excessive fat intake can be dangerous for our bodies and can be associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Both the keto diet and Fasting Mimicking Diet may comprise the same common short-term side effects that are fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and low exercise tolerance. The difference is compliance. In the long-term, following the keto diet is a limiting factor that is why this kind of regimen is considered unsustainable. On the contrary, the shorter duration of the Fasting Mimicking Diet makes it more supportable (several weeks or months VS five days).

Periodically, following a Fasting Mimicking Diet may have positive effects on body weight preserving lean body mass, such as supporting cell rejuvenation for healthy aging, improving energy, focus, and mental clarity.

How can we choose between the keto diet and Fasting Mimicking Diet?

Each nutritional protocol has its validity and scientific evidence, but the choice of one of them depends on many factors, such as inter-individual variability, own goals, health conditions (presence or absence of diseases), genetics, the strength of mind, and finally on the compliance to the different nutritional strategies. 

Considering that both the keto diet and Fasting Mimicking Diet are very particular food protocols, we recommend combining them with a long-term longevity diet according to Prof. Valter Longo’s recommendations. The Longevity Diet is nowadays a very best seller explaining the importance of following an ancestral Mediterranean Diet rich in legumes, fish, extra virgin olive oil, and nuts. Working on longevity means taking care of our body and health span. 

Do you want to know more about the Fasting Mimicking Diet and ProLon kit? Get in touch with our knowledgeable nutritionists for free.