A Pilot Study with a Purpose
This study with Eat By Alex was intentionally small, involving six participants, making it an exploratory pilot study designed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of our metabolic insights test in measuring the dietary impacts of a fasting-mimicking diet (the reSET diet).
While the limited sample size means the findings cannot be generalized to everyone, smaller exploratory studies like this are invaluable for identifying trends and determining whether larger studies are likely to yield meaningful results. They offer a cost-effective way to take a first peek behind the curtain, assessing the potential for deeper insights into human metabolism and nutrition.
Study Setup: Laying the Groundwork
Humans are complex beings, so a study like this requires collecting data from multiple parameters to capture a comprehensive picture of how the fasting-mimicking diet might affect metabolism. Here's what we measured:
Basic Participant Information:
Age, sex, height, weight (measured daily, continuing up to three days after the diet ends), and smoking status.Saliva Collection Points:
Day 0: Before starting the diet, during a non-fasting state.
Day 5: At the end of the diet, during a fasting state.
This setup allowed us to track changes in metabolic markers and weight while considering individual differences like body composition and lifestyle factors.
What Makes This Exciting
By combining these data points, we can start to uncover fascinating insights into the effects of the fasting-mimicking diet. Questions we’re excited to explore include:
How does the diet affect men versus women?
Do starting weight or BMI influence outcomes like fat burn or metabolic changes?
What larger patterns emerge in gut health or energy production?
While this study was small, the potential implications are big. The ability to measure and understand how these diets work in real-world scenarios opens doors to more personalized and effective nutrition strategies.
Whether you’re a scientist, deeply invested in your personal health, or simply curious, Maven Health is here to help you uncover what’s really happening in your body. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions—we’re excited to share the journey with you.
