ProLon® is the first Fasting Mimicking Diet™ (FMD™) developed to provide the beneficial effects of fasting by making the fasting mimicking period safe and pleasant. ProLon®, which contains plant-based soups, bars, crackers, olives, drinks, and supplements, is a proprietary 5-day dietary programme, providing approximately 750 to 1100 calories per day. It is based on innovative research carried out at two of the world’s leading centres for biomedical and longevity research located at the University of Southern California (USC), the Longevity Institute and the Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute. This revolutionary meal plan has been scientifically designed and clinically tested to mimic the effects of fasting, while providing the proper daily nourishment and the feeling of satisfaction.

ProLon® was shown in clinical trials to have beneficial effects on a wide variety of markers: it decreases abdominal fat while increasing relative lean body mass, decreases fasting glucose, reduces C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation), and reduces IGF-1 (associated with increased DNA damage mortality and ageing in humans).

A Fasting Mimicking™ Diet (FMD™) is a high nutrition, low protein, low carbohydrate meal plan, clinically proven to beneficially change a wide range of biomarkers associated with ageing, poor health, and inflammation. (See Question 2).

The diet should be followed for 5 consecutive days, after which the patient will transition for 1 day and then resume their normal diet. Instructions are provided in every carton. A specific combination of food is provided on each day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. All food provided on a specific day should be taken on that day only. While a meal missed can be made up at any time during the same day, there should be no carryover from one day to the next. The 5-day diet should be taken as often as is recommended by the healthcare professional.

The amount of weight loss varies by individual. A healthcare professional will be able to discuss this during consultation and work with the patient on meeting weight goals.

Depending on the medical illness or disease, past medical history, and current medications, the ProLon® dietary programme might be combined with the standard of care treatment; however, ProLon® cannot be prescribed to prevent or treat diseases. Contact the healthcare provider most familiar with the illness or disease to discuss the ProLon® dietary programme.

As the ProLon® dietary programme is designed to provide all of the supplements and nutrients needed, no additional multivitamins or supplements should be taken during the diet period; however, the options should be discussed with the supervising healthcare professional.

This depends on the patient’s baseline markers and health measurements, assessment and, where relevant, recommendation of the healthcare professional. For the majority of relatively healthy individuals, 3 to 4 times a year is sufficient. By contrast, for individuals with high levels of multiple biomarkers for ageing, cholesterol, IGF-1, CRP, blood pressure, abdominal fat, etc., the healthcare professional may decide to recommend 6-12 ProLon® cycles a year. For very high risk patients it may be given as often as every 15 days.

Splitting up days is not recommended since this method is believed to be much less effective than the 5 consecutive days.

On Day 6, after the ProLon® diet ends, users should avoid binge eating and resume their normal diet gradually. They should start with liquid foods, such as soups and fruit juices, followed by light meals, including rice, pasta and small portions of meat, fish and/or legumes. A normal diet can be resumed on day 7, or 24 hours after the end of the ProLon® diet.

The results achieved with ProLon® in clinical trials were very similar to those achieved with fasting. However, ProLon® is safer, providing vital nutrition during the 5 day diet.

The proprietary dietary formulation is based on decades of scientific research, including preclinical and clinical trials and contains specific ingredients that were put together to mimic fasting, while optimising nourishment.

The meal plan contains some products that are made with organic ingredients, but they are not certified organic. Our food products are all plant-based.

As the ProLon® dietary programme provides everything needed for nourishment during the 5 days, while letting the powerful self-repair and rejuvenation mechanisms work, no extra foods or drinks (other than water and decaffeinated tea) should be consumed while on ProLon®, to avoid reducing its efficacy.

Nothing extra should be eaten while on the ProLon® dietary programme. Since this diet is low calorie, followers may experience the feeling of slight weakness and possible dizziness as the body adjusts, especially on Day 2. This is normal. Usually by Day 3 this decreases; however, should the symptoms be severe, fruit juices can be consumed and call your doctor or 999 for emergencies. The supervising healthcare professional should then review if it is safe for the patient to continue on the diet. The energy drink provided in the diet boxes, to be taken throughout the day, provides not only nutritional support during the diet, but can be specifically helpful in these instances.

Because the ProLon® diet is low in calories, hunger may occur during the 5-day diet period. Most clinical trial participants only experienced a low level of periodic hunger. In such cases, one may want to consume a food that is not highly caloric, such as a slice of an apple. Remember, this diet is only for 5 days. Feeling hungry is normal if one’s usual diet consists of high calories. People generally reported that the hunger subsided by Day 3 or 4.

Because coffee can interfere with the beneficial effects of the diet, it is not recommended to be consumed with ProLon®. However, for those who cannot go without, we recommend minimising coffee consumption to 1 cup per day.

There are different flavours of teas provided with the diet. Although not recommended, since the ProLon® teas are selected for specific properties and have been clinically tested, if for some reason one does not want to consume one of these flavours, a substitution can be made. A substitute tea should have no caffeine or additives, and should be taken without sugar or milk.

Yes; however, since this diet has been clinically tested, one should make every effort to follow the programme precisely to minimise malnourishment and safety issues.

This is not advised; the foods provided should only be consumed on the day for which they are designated. However, if the patient feels lightheaded, dizzy or has any other side effects, consuming one of the leftover diet foods would be preferable to consuming something else. Note: the ProLon® diet does not have extras in the meal box.

The positive effects of the ProLon® dietary programme tested in the clinical trials require 5 consecutive days. Therefore, the diet should be maintained for the full 5 days.

The diet is formulated based on specific nutritional, scientifically proven benefits. Therefore, it’s very important to follow the diet closely. However, if this happens on one occasion, do not worry —continue with the ProLon® dietary programme for the rest of the 5 days.

It depends on the food item. For example, if a soup is disliked, lemon/lime and herbs can be added in small quantities. If a tea is disliked, a different tea can be substituted, provided it is non-caffeinated, non-sugared, preferably with no added colour or preservatives.

Yes, herbs and lemon in small quantities may be added to taste. Please note that the diet is specially formulated to provide a specific amount of nutrients and calories.

DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid and is an omega-3 fatty acid. DHA is essential for normal brain function.

The energy drink is specially formulated to provide vegetable-based nutritional support during the diet.

The energy drink is made from plant-derived glycerol and water. This selection is the result of years of studies to maximise safety and nourishment without interfering with the beneficial effects of the diet.

ProLon® is the first and only Periodic Fasting Mimicking Diet and is scientifically developed, and clinically proven to induce a fasting state which optimizes metabolic health and decreases age-related risk factors. The rejuvenation effect is the main reason why ProLon® followers lose fat very quickly while preserving lean body mass (muscle and bone).

ProLon® Fasting Mimicking Diet is Lactose and Gluten Free. Participants with food allergies such as nuts, soy, tomato, or with any other known allergies to the ingredients, should avoid consuming ProLon® or wait until a version of ProLon® is produced that is free of allergens.

We recommend you discuss your ongoing diet with your GP. They can review your current intake and give you specific guidelines to follow based on your height, weight and gender. During the 5-Day ProLon® dietary programme, approximately 1100 calories are consumed on Day 1 and 750 calories on Days 2-5.