1. Water fasting
What is it? Abstaining completely from food for days or weeks. Only drinking water and taking nutritional supplements for safety.
What are the potential benefits? This may help with hypertension and reduce inflammation.
Dangers: Can be dangerous if extended beyond 6 weeks, or if you are already underweight.
2. Calorie restriction
What is it? Reducing calorie intake by between 10-45% per day.
What are the potential benefits? In animals this diet may extend life and slow aging, yet this may not be possible for humans.
Dangers: Not thought to be dangerous for healthy people.
3. Fast-mimicking diet
What is it? Limiting calorie intake drastically (by around 2/3) for around five consecutive days per month.
What are the potential benefits? Valter Longo believes his diet can slow aging and reduce the likelihood of the following diseases occurring: cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes.
Dangers: Not thought to be dangerous for healthy people.
4. Intermittent fasting
What is it? Regularly abstaining from food for one or two days per week.
What are the potential benefits? Might help lose weight and reduce the risk of cancers.
Dangers: Not thought to be dangerous for healthy people.
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