Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) as an intervention for Alzheimer's disease (AD)
A method of treating Alzheimer's associated pathology includes a step of identifying subject having a pathology that is associated with Alzheimer's disease. A fasting mimicking diet (FMD) is then administered to the subject for a first time period. Methods for treating amyloid plaque formation and/or elevated levels of tau protein as well as neuroinflammation are also provided.
1. A method of treating Alzheimer's disorders associated with APOE4 apolipoprotein expression comprising:
a) identifying a subject having an Alzheimer's disorder associated with APOE4 apolipoprotein expression; and
b) administering a fasting mimicking diet (FMD) to the subject for a first time period, wherein the FMD provides 2.47 kcal/g plus or minus 30 percent on day 1 and 1.63 kcal/g plus or minus 30 percent on day 2, wherein the FMD is administered for only 1 day with a frequency of at least 1 day/week every week of a month or wherein the FMD will substitute a subject's normal diet for a period of 2 days every week.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the Alzheimer's disorder associated with APOE4 apolipoprotein expression exhibits amyloid plaque formation.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the Alzheimer's disorder associated with APOE4 apolipoprotein expression exhibits levels of tau protein in the subject.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fasting mimicking diet is administered for a period of 4 to 10 days every 2-12 weeks.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) is repeated a plurality of times at predetermined intervals.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein step b) is repeated at intervals from one week to 6 months.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the subject is administered a normal diet in between repetition of step b).
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the FMD provides 4.5-7 kcal per pound of body weight (or 10-16 kcal per kilogram body weight).
9. The method of claim 1 wherein on day 1, the FMD provides less than 30 grams of sugar, less than 28 grams of protein, 20-30 grams of monounsaturated fats, 6-10 grams of polyunsaturated fats and 2-12 grams of saturated fats.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein on days 2-5 the FMD provides less than 20 grams of sugar, less than 18 grams of protein, 10-15 grams of monounsaturated fats, 3-5 grams of polyunsaturated fats and 1-6 grams of saturated fats.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the FMD also provides micronutrients at greater than 25% of the recommended Daily Value (DV).
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the FMD provides 3-5 kcal per pound of body weight.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the day 1 FMD diet contains less than 30 grams of sugar, less than 28 grams of protein, 20-30 grams of monounsaturated fats, 6-10 grams of polyunsaturated fats and 2-12 grams of saturated fats.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the day 2 FMD diet includes less than 20 grams of sugar, less than 18 grams of protein, 10-15 grams of monounsaturated fats, 3-5 grams of polyunsaturated fats and 1-6 grams of saturated fats.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of administering the fasting mimicking diet includes administering a diet package that provides caloric, food and nutritional specification, and administration schedule of the fasting mimicking diet.