Multi-cycle Prolon Diet

University of Southern California102 enrolled

Overview

Evidence from bio-gerontology research from our laboratory and others have showed that short-term fasting/starvation (STS) can improve the efficacy of chemotherapy by protecting normal cells and tissues and potentially sensitizing malignant cells to chemo drugs. Furthermore, STS improves risk factors associated with aging and age-related disease in rodent models. Prolonged fasting, however, is difficult to implement and may not be feasible or safe in humans. We have developed a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) that was well accepted in a pilot human trial. The objective of the study is to ascertain the impact of the fasting-mimicking diet given to adult subjects for 5 days a month for 3 consecutive months. The investigators hypothesize that the specially designed dietary regimen can reduce the risk factors for metabolic syndrome and biomarkers associated with aging and age-related diseases.

The Phase I part of the study is designed as a randomized cross-over trial, including two arms: a Control arm and a multi-cycle special 5-day dietary regimen (Diet, 3 cycles) arm. After 3 cycles, the Control and Diet groups are crossed over such that the Control group will under-go dieting and the Diet group will return to normal diet. Participants will be monitored for body weight and physiological changes, as well as the adherence to the dietary intervention. The Phase II part of the study is an expansion of the Phase I to ascertain the impact of the dietary intervention on risk factors for metabolic syndrome and biomarkers associated with aging and age-related diseases. Statistical methods: Paired samples t-test and Mann-Whitney test will be used to compare between Control and Diet groups as well as pre- and post-diet values.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

102

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Generally healthy adults * BMI \>19 kg/m\^2 Exclusion Criteria: * Severe hypertension (systolic BP \> 200 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP \> 105 mm Hg). * Underweight (BMI \< 19 kg/m\^2) * Females who are pregnant or nursing * Special dietary requirements incompatible with the study interventions * Significant food allergies which would make the subject unable to consume the study food * Alcohol dependency (alcohol intake greater than two drinks per day for women and three drinks per day for men).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Safety and feasibility of the Prolon diet

Phase I: To obtain preliminary estimates of the feasibility and safety of a low calorie Prolon diet in adult subjects.

Time frame: 1 and half years

Effect of Prolon diet on risk factors for metabolic syndrome and biomarkers of aging

Phase II: To ascertain the impact of the calorie restricted special diet on the risk factors for metabolic syndrome and biomarkers associated with aging and age-related diseases: e.g. fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, blood pressure, abdominal obesity, lipid profile, circulating IGF-1 and IGFBP1.

Time frame: 2 and half years

Secondary Outcomes

Changes in cognitive functions before and after the dietary intervention.

Effects of dieting on the brain using fMRI; Effects of dieting on cognitive functions: 1. Verbal memory and learning; 2. Speed of processing/attention; 3. Working memory; 4. Executive function; 5. Visuospatial construction and memory; 6. Frequency of Forgetting;