Fasting-mimicking Diet and Immunosenescence
Fasting-mimicking Diet and Immunosenescence
The objective of this study is to test a Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD) for its efficacy on
 improving immune response to flu vaccination in an older adult population (50-75 years of
 age).
This is a randomized clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of the fasting-mimicking
 diet (FMD) in an elderly population (50-75 years of age) receiving their annual influenza
 vaccination. The study will include two arms: Control (normal diet) and FMD (2 cycles of
 5-day fasting-mimicking diet within two months). Participants both arms will receive the
 standard influenza vaccine.The primary endpoint is anti-influenza antibody titers measured 4
 weeks after flu vaccination. Secondary endpoints include: (1) body composition changes,
 measured as BMI, waist to hip ratio; (2) physiological changes, measured as blood chemistry
 and motor performance; (3) health outcomes, measured by SF-36 Health survey, dry eye surveys
 and flu incidents within 12 months of vaccination.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent;

 -  Ability and willingness to undergo 2 cycles of a 5-day dietary regimen;

 -  Ability and willingness to provide blood samples via venipuncture;

 -  Seeking to get a seasonal influenza vaccine.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 Concomitant medications

 -  Received flu (influenza) shot for the flu season;

 -  Receiving immunosuppressive therapy (i.e., oral prednisone in doses > 10 mg daily);

 -  On immunosuppressive drugs for cancer or rheumatologic therapy;

 -  Receiving insulin or octreotide;

 -  On hypertension medication. The subject must obtain the treating doctor's approval
 prior to beginning the study.

 Safety-based exclusions:

 -  Hemoglobin < 9.0 g/dL;

 -  White blood cell count < 3,500/mm^3;

 -  Neutrophil count < 2,000/mm^3,

 -  Platelet count < 125,000/mm^3;

 -  Medical conditions that are incompatible with the dietary intervention ;

 -  Medical conditions that are incompatible with the flu vaccination;

 -  Pregnant or nursing female;

 -  Alcohol dependency;