Can You Get the Benefits of a 5-Day Fast Without Starving?

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Ashley Bizzell - Registered Dietitian

In this episode, Brad Williams sits down with Ashley Bizzell, Registered Dietitian and Director of Clinical Nutrition and Global Training at L-Nutra Health, the company behind ProLon®, to dive deep into fasting, metabolic health, and the science behind the Fast Mimicking Diet (FMD).

Ashley explains how she transitioned into clinical nutrition and now leads the medical arm of L-Nutra Health, which supports patients with metabolic conditions like prediabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes through evidence-based nutrition therapy, telehealth physicians, and structured fasting programs. While ProLon is often viewed as a “fasting product,” Ashley reframes it as a nourishing technology designed to deliver the benefits of prolonged fasting—without the risks of complete food deprivation.

Brad and Ashley break down what the Fast Mimicking Diet actually is: a precisely formulated 5-day program that provides real food—soups, bars, olives, teas, and healthy fats—while keeping the body in a fasting state. The conversation explores how the FMD supports autophagy, cellular cleanup, metabolic flexibility, and insulin sensitivity, while also offering muscle protection, a major concern for adults over 40.

Brad shares his personal experience with water fasting, intermittent fasting, and ProLon, comparing fat loss, insulin control, ketosis depth, and autophagy. Ashley explains why ProLon is structured for five days, how autophagy ramps up around day three, and why day six refeeding with high-quality whole foods is just as critical as the fast itself.

They also discuss:

The role of fasting in reducing inflammation, improving lipid panels, liver health, insulin resistance, and even taste and smell sensitivity
How ProLon supports muscle preservation through targeted nutrients like glycerol
Why fasting is a positive, hormetic stress similar to exercise
The importance of metabolic flexibility and why fasting gets easier over time
How continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can provide personalized insight into food responses
The growing acceptance of fasting and food-as-medicine in mainstream healthcare, including L-Nutra’s recent recognition by the American Diabetes Association for improvements in A1C and medication reduction

Ashley also highlights additional L-Nutra products, including vegan protein shakes and bars that support muscle without triggering aging pathways, as well as one-day fasting resets for beginners.

If you're interested in online personal training or being a guest on my podcast, "Over 40 Fitness Hacks," you can reach me at brad@over40fitnesshacks.com or visit my website at:

www.Over40FitnessHacks.com

Additionally, check out my Yelp reviews for my local business, Evolve Gym in Huntington Beach, at https://bit.ly/3GCKRzV

Disclaimer: The information provided on this podcast, including interviews and recommendations, is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or professional fitness advice. The hosts and guests are not your personal doctors or trainers. Always consult a qualified medical professional before changing your diet, starting a new exercise regimen, or implementing any advice heard on this show. Use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.