
The fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) is a five-day low-calorie diet plan designed to trick the body into fasting mode. The diet offers the benefits of fasting without the need for total food restriction. One such diet, ProLon, features a meal program that includes all the foods you need in specifically formulated quantities and ratios for five days. It includes a supplemental energy drink made from vegetable glycerin, called the L-Drink, which helps quell hunger and boost energy. The purpose of the glycerin in the L-Drink is to provide the body with an alternative energy source to use instead of lean body mass during the fast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of glycerin in the diet | To provide the body with an alternate energy source to use instead of lean body mass during days 2-5 of the fast |
| How to use it | Mix the L-Drink with water in a large water bottle (32 oz). The weight on the L-drink is marked from top to bottom, not from bottom to top, meaning the more you weigh, the more L-Drink you will have to pour |
| Benefits | Helps protect your lean body mass while keeping you in a fasting state, quells hunger, and boosts energy |
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What You'll Learn

Glycerin provides an alternative energy source to the body
The fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) is a five-day low-calorie diet plan designed to trick the body into fasting mode while still consuming some food. One such FMD is ProLon, a prepackaged meal kit that includes plant-based whole foods and does not include meat, dairy, gluten, GMOs, or processed foods. The ProLon program includes an L-Drink, a vegetable glycerin concoction mixed with water or herbal tea that helps suppress hunger and provides an alternative energy source to the body.
Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a colourless, odourless, sweet-tasting viscous liquid. It is a sugar alcohol that can be derived from plant sources or synthesised from propylene alcohol. When ingested, glycerin is rapidly absorbed from the small intestine and distributed throughout the body, where it can be used as an alternative energy source to glucose.
During fasting, the body typically relies on the breakdown of glucose from carbohydrates for energy. However, with restricted calorie intake, the body must find alternative energy sources. Glycerin provides an easily accessible form of energy that can be utilised by the body during the fasting period.
The L-Drink, which contains glycerin, is consumed on days two through five of the ProLon program. The amount of L-Drink consumed is proportional to the individual's weight, and it is mixed with water. The purpose of the glycerin in the L-Drink is to provide the body with an alternative energy source to lean body mass during the latter part of the fast. This helps protect the individual's lean body mass while keeping them in a fasting state.
While skipping the L-Drink is not expected to interfere with the rejuvenation effects of the diet, it may impact the overall experience and energy levels. It may also put individuals at a slightly higher risk of losing muscle mass during the program. Therefore, the glycerin in the L-Drink plays a crucial role in maintaining energy levels and preserving lean body mass during the fasting-mimicking diet.
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It helps protect lean body mass
The fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) is a five-day low-calorie diet plan designed to trick the body into fasting mode while still consuming some food. The ProLon FMD, for example, includes a meal kit with a macadamia nut bar, freeze-dried vegetable soup, kale crackers, green olives, dark chocolate wafers, herbal tea, a plant-based omega-3 supplement, and a multivitamin.
The ProLon FMD also includes an L-Drink, a vegetable glycerin concoction mixed with water or herbal tea, which is consumed on days two through five. The glycerin in the L-Drink serves a specific purpose: to protect lean body mass.
During fasting, the body typically turns to lean body mass, such as muscle, for energy. The glycerin in the L-Drink provides an alternative energy source, helping to preserve muscle mass while keeping the body in a fasting state. The amount of L-Drink consumed is proportional to the individual's weight, as marked on the bottle.
While skipping the L-Drink will not interfere with the rejuvenation effects of the diet, it may impact energy levels and increase the risk of losing muscle mass during the program. Therefore, the inclusion of glycerin in the L-Drink helps protect lean body mass, ensuring that individuals maintain their muscle mass while experiencing the benefits of the fasting-mimicking diet.
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Glycerin is included in the ProLon diet
The ProLon diet is a fasting-mimicking diet that includes glycerin in the form of an L-Drink. The diet was developed by Valter Longo, a professor of gerontology and biological sciences and the director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California. It is a 5-day, low-calorie, vegan meal kit that aims to provide the benefits of water fasting while still providing enough food energy and nutrients to perform basic tasks. The L-Drink, which includes glycerin, is a vegetable-glycerin concoction mixed with water or herbal tea that helps to quell hunger and boost energy.
The ProLon diet is intended for healthy individuals who want to enhance their health and well-being and for those who want to proactively manage their weight. It provides a scientifically developed combination of macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) and micronutrients (essential vitamins and minerals) designed to nourish the body while it goes through the rejuvenating process of the fasting state. The diet includes a variety of foods, such as a macadamia nut bar for breakfast, freeze-dried vegetable soup for lunch and dinner, kale crackers, green olives, dark chocolate wafers, herbal tea, and supplements.
The ProLon diet has been clinically tested and is claimed to be backed by science. It is designed to be followed for five consecutive days, after which individuals transition back to their normal diet on the 6th day. The daily caloric intake varies between 800 and 1,150 calories per day, with Day 1 having about 1100 calories and Days 2-5 ranging from 700 to 800 calories. While the primary purpose of the ProLon diet is to trigger rejuvenation, weight loss may also occur as a side effect.
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The diet includes a glycerin-based L-Drink
The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a five-day low-calorie diet plan designed to trick your body into fasting mode while still consuming some food. The diet includes a glycerin-based L-Drink, which is a vegetable glycerin concoction mixed with water or herbal tea. The L-Drink is consumed on days two through five of the diet and serves two main purposes. Firstly, it helps to suppress hunger, making it easier to adhere to the low-calorie diet. Secondly, it provides an alternative energy source for the body, allowing it to utilise glycerin instead of breaking down lean body mass during the fasting period. This helps protect the body's muscle mass while maintaining the benefits of the fast.
The amount of L-Drink consumed is proportional to the individual's weight, and it is typically mixed with a large 32-ounce water bottle. While skipping the L-Drink is not expected to interfere with the rejuvenation effects of the diet, it may impact the overall experience and energy levels. Additionally, forgoing the L-Drink could slightly increase the risk of losing muscle mass during the program.
The Fasting Mimicking Diet, specifically the ProLon program, was pioneered by Dr. Valter Longo, a biogerontologist and cell biologist at the University of Southern California. ProLon has undergone extensive clinical trials and features a meal program that includes all the necessary foods in specific quantities and ratios for the five-day duration. The diet consists of plant-based whole foods, excluding meat, dairy, gluten, GMOs, and processed foods.
The potential benefits of the Fasting Mimicking Diet include improved weight management, lowered risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, reduced risk of cancer, lowered blood pressure, improved metabolism, and cellular rejuvenation. However, it is important to consult a doctor before starting this or any other diet, as it may not be suitable for everyone.
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The L-Drink is consumed on days 2-5 of the diet
The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a five-day low-calorie diet plan designed to trick the body into fasting mode. The diet offers health benefits such as lowered blood pressure, improved metabolism, and cellular rejuvenation, while still allowing the consumption of food. One such FMD is ProLon, a scientifically formulated low-calorie vegan diet developed by Valter Longo, a professor of gerontology and biological sciences. The ProLon program includes a vegetable glycerin concoction called the L-Drink, which is consumed on days 2-5 of the diet.
The L-Drink is a mixture of vegetable glycerin and water or herbal tea. The purpose of the glycerin in the L-Drink is to provide the body with an alternative energy source to use instead of lean body mass during the fast. The amount of L-Drink consumed is associated with the weight of the person following the diet. The L-Drink is intended to be consumed during the diet as a one-time use only. While skipping the L-Drink should not interfere with any rejuvenation effects, it may impact energy levels and put the dieter at a slightly higher risk of losing muscle mass.
The L-Drink is designed to help quell hunger and boost energy during the fasting period. In addition to the L-Drink, the ProLon diet includes a variety of plant-based whole foods, such as a macadamia nut bar, freeze-dried vegetable soup, kale crackers, green olives, and dark chocolate wafers. The diet also includes a plant-based omega-3 supplement and a multivitamin. The total calories consumed per day on the ProLon diet range from 800 to 1,150.
It is important to note that the Fasting Mimicking Diet may not be appropriate for everyone, and it is always recommended to consult a doctor before starting the diet. Additionally, certain people, such as those with certain medical conditions, pregnant women, or those who are breastfeeding, should not follow this diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Glycerin is included in the fasting-mimicking diet to provide the body with an alternative energy source to use instead of lean body mass during the fast. This helps protect your lean body mass while keeping you in a fasting state.
The fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) is a five-day low-calorie diet plan designed to trick your body into fasting mode while still consuming some food.
The fasting-mimicking diet offers the benefits of fasting without the need for total food restriction. These benefits can include lowered blood pressure, improved metabolism, and cellular rejuvenation.
The fasting-mimicking diet consists of plant-based whole foods and does not include meat, dairy, gluten, GMOs, or processed foods. It typically includes meals such as a macadamia nut bar, freeze-dried vegetable soup, kale crackers, and green olives.










































