
Equipment Reference
Valter Longo PhD
The Longevity Diet (Hardcover)
Valter Longo on fasting-mimicking, pescatarian patterns, and periodic resets
USC longevity researcher Valter Longo’s book on a mostly plant, pescatarian-leaning pattern plus periodic fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) cycles. Less biohacker-stack, more Mediterranean-plus-reset. ProLon is the commercial FMD; the book explains the research story and everyday plate.
Typical price: $18 – $28 USD
How It Works
Longo’s lab links periodic fasting and FMD to reduced IGF-1, autophagy signals, and metabolic reset in animals and some human trials. Everyday diet is the other half. ProLon is a food kit, not in this product listing — the book is the primer.
Everyday Longevity Plate
Vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, some fish — closer to Greger/Li than to keto.
Periodic Fasting-Mimicking
Multi-day low-calorie, low-protein cycles studied for metabolic markers. Clinic or kit, not a DIY water fast.
Protein by Age
Longo is conservative on protein in midlife and more liberal later to protect muscle — compare with our protein-longevity guide.
What You'll Experience
Reading
1 weekReaders usually tighten the daily plate before booking an FMD cycle.
Optional Cycle
5 days, a few times a yearFMD is fatiguing for some. Medical clearance if you have metabolic disease or take meds.
Benefits
Research-Lab Voice
Moderate EvidenceMore fasting-mimicking science than most popular diet books.
Compatible With EVOO / Plants
Moderate EvidenceStacks cleanly with Li, Greger, and olive-oil habits.
Risks & Considerations
DIY Multi-Day Fasts
high riskDo not invent a 5-day water fast from a book if you have medical conditions.
Low Protein in Older Adults
medium riskSarcopenia risk if you under-eat protein after 65 — see the protein guide.
Community Reviews
Synthesized consensus from Reddit, forums, and expert sources.
Clear everyday diet; FMD chapters drive kit purchases. Protein-by-age advice is the usual debate with Attia readers.
- ·Pescatarian-leaning
- ·FMD is periodic, not daily
- ·Olive oil stays
Learn More: Full Guides
Cognitive EnhancementNootropics: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Nootropics, 'smart drugs' and cognitive enhancers, range from daily coffee to prescription modafinil. This guide covers the evidence-backed tier list, the caffeine + L-theanine stack, mushroom nootropics, and why sleep beats any pill.
Read guideBreathwork: The Complete Guide
Breathwork is the most accessible biohack, free, immediate, and backed by real physiology. From Wim Hof's hyperventilation cycles to Navy SEAL box breathing, controlled breathing shifts autonomic state in minutes. This guide covers protocols, mechanisms, and building a daily practice.
Read guideLast updated: 2026-09-21 · Informational only. Not medical advice. Health disclaimer.