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Valter D. Longo (born 1967) is an Italian-American biogerontologist and cell biologist known for his studies on the role of fasting and nutrient response genes on cellular protection aging and diseases and for proposing that longevity is regulated by similar genes and mechanisms in many eukaryotes. He is currently a professor at the USC Davis School of Gerontology with a joint appointment in the department of Biological Sciences as well as serving as the director of the USC Longevity Institute.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Valter Longo was born into a Calabrian family in the northern Italian city of Genoa in 1967.[1][2] As a child, he spent much of his time imitating Jimi Hendrix's guitar-playing style. At the age of 16, he moved to Chicago to study jazz guitar,[3] and lived with extended relatives.[4] While there, he observed that his relatives in the United States were genetically similar to his family back home, but many of them were suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular disease due to diets rich in fat, meat, and sugar.[4][5] Three years later, he transferred to the University of North Texas College of Music to study jazz under Jack Petersen.[1][3] To pay for his tuition, he worked at a gas station, repaired roofs, sold water filtration equipment, and joined the army as a reserve tank driver, narrowly avoiding deployment to combat during the 1991 Gulf War.[1] During his second year of music, Longo was selected to direct the university's marching band—an assignment he considered humiliating for someone aspiring to be a rock star. Consequently, he decided to shift his focus to studying nutrition and longevity.[1][3] He graduated from the University of North Texas in 1992.[1][6]

In 1992 he joined the laboratory of calorie restriction pioneer Roy Walford at UCLA where he studied calorie restriction and aging of the immune system.[1][7][8] While Longo sees Walford as a pioneer, he describes the extreme diet Walford advocated as a "little crazy,"[1] as it severely restricted food intake during Walford’s time in the experimental habitat of Biosphere 2. "When they exited Biosphere, they looked liked hell," Longo said. "Walford looked like a skeleton."[9] He completed his PhD work in Biochemistry studying antioxidant enzymes and anti-aging genes under Joan Valentine at University of California, Los Angeles in 1997,[8][10] and his postdoctoral training under Caleb Finch at the University of Southern California.[6][11]

Career

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Valter Longo is the Edna M. Jones Professor of Gerontology and Biological Sciences, as well as the director of the Longevity Institute at the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California,[12] and the Longevity and Cancer Program at the IFOM Institute of Molecular Oncology in Milan, Italy.[6][10][13] In 2018, Longo led a team of researchers from the University of Southern California and Harvard University, focusing on interventions to protect against aging and disease. The team received a new $10 million grant from the National Institute on Aging.[14][15]

Personal life and diet

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Valter Longo is not married and has no children,[9][16] he said: "I'm dedicated to what I do and involved in many clinical trials."[17]

With regard to longevity, Longo promotes a mostly plant-based diet and eats fish no more than two or three times per week.[18][19][20] In addition, he suggests implementing time-restricted eating, with daily eating windows of 11–12 hours.[21] His research is focused on the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD). The FMD is a low-calorie, low-protein, moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-fat plant-based diet program, that he argues mimics the effects of periodic fasting or water fasting. The course lasts five days, while still aiming to provide the body with nutrition,[22][23] and is considered a periodic fast.[24] Longo stated that the purpose of creating FMD was not to promote weight loss but to help end the global medical culture centered on pill consumption. He described this system as "prehistoric, it’s expensive, and it’s making us all broke."[25] Longo founded the biotechnology company L-Nutra and developed the ProLon fasting-mimicking diet.[26][27] MIT Technology Review reported that while ProLon was a commercial success, Longo was concerned about its potential impact on his scientific reputation. In 2017, after a series of articles about the product—one of which described him as sounding like a "snake oil salesman"—he announced that he would no longer accept consulting fees and would donate his company shares to charity.[9][28]

[edit]

In 2011, Longo was profiled on Through the Wormhole for his longevity-related research.[29] A year later, he discussed his fasting research with Michael Mosley in an episode of the BBC documentary series, Horizon called, Eat, Fast, and Live Longer.[30][31]

His appearances and interviews in documentaries and TV series include the 2012 movie Science of Fasting,[32] the 2020 series The Goop Lab,[33][34] and Down to Earth with Zac Efron.[35][36] Longo's studies on fasting inspired the documentary Fasting and The Longevity Revolution, narrated by Edward Norton and directed by Academy Award-nominated Barry Alexander Brown.[37]

Bibliography

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Accolades

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In 2018, Valter Longo was named one of the fifty most influential people in health care by Time,[41] which called him "the fasting evangelist",[4][42] and in 2021 Science called him a pioneer in the nutrition and cancer field.[43] Longo is also on Clarivate's list of Highly Cited Researchers for 2021–24.[44][45]

Organizations Year Category Ref.
American Federation for Aging Research 2012 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award in Aging Research [46]
Associazione Incontriamoci Sempre 2018 Premio Simpatia [47][48]
Chalmers University of Technology 2016 Jubilee Professorship [49]
Dutch Society on Ageing Research 2016 Boerhaave Professorship [50][51]
Glenn Foundation for Medical Research 2016 Glenn Award for Research in the Biology of Aging [52]
Goethe University Frankfurt 2016 Friedrich Merz Guest Professorship [53]
Maria Buchinger Foundation 2013 Maria Buchinger Foundation Award [54][55]
National Institutes of Health 2010 Nathan Shock Lecture Award [56]
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology 2017 USC Stevens Center for Innovation Commercialization Awards [57]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Valter Longo

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Valter Longo is an Italian-American biogerontologist and cell biologist renowned for his research on the mechanisms of aging, the benefits of and nutrient restriction, and interventions to extend healthy lifespan and prevent age-related diseases. He serves as the Edna M. Jones Chair in and Professor of and Biological Sciences at the (USC), where he also directs the USC Longevity Institute, a leading center for studies on and chronic conditions. Longo's work has identified conserved molecular pathways across species—from to mammals—that enhance stress resistance, reduce , and promote cellular regeneration, fundamentally linking diet to . Longo earned a degree from the in 1992 and a PhD in biochemistry from the (UCLA) in 1997, followed by postdoctoral training at USC, where he joined the faculty in 2000. His early research focused on the genetics of aging and nutrient-sensing pathways, particularly the role of insulin/IGF-1 signaling and TOR in lifespan regulation. Over the decades, he has published extensively in high-impact journals, with studies demonstrating how periodic cycles can lower risk factors for , , and cancer while improving immune function and metabolic health. A cornerstone of Longo's contributions is the development of the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), a low-calorie, plant-based regimen designed to replicate the physiological effects of water fasting without complete food deprivation, typically administered in 5-day cycles monthly. Clinical trials have shown that FMD reduces biological age markers, , liver fat, and aging in humans, while preclinical models indicate it enhances efficacy and protects healthy cells during cancer treatment. Longo co-founded L-Nutra in 2009 to commercialize FMD through products like ProLon, a 5-day , though he maintains an ownership interest and discloses potential conflicts in his academic publications. Longo has popularized his findings through books such as The Longevity Diet (2018), which outlines a mostly plant-based eating pattern emphasizing periodic FMD alongside daily caloric restriction for optimal healthspan, and Fasting Cancer (2025), which explores fasting's role in oncology. His research has earned recognition, including being named one of TIME's 50 Most Influential People in Health Care in 2018.

Early Life and Background

Childhood and Family

Valter Longo was born in 1967 in , , to Italian parents originally from the region in . His family maintained strong ties to their Calabrian roots, with Longo spending childhood summers in the small village of Molochio, where his parents were born and where he observed a community known for its high number of centenarians. This exposure to in everyday life, contrasted with personal loss, profoundly shaped his early worldview. Longo's childhood was marked by a blend of northern Italian urban life in and rural visits to , fostering an early fascination with health and aging. At age five, he cared for his dying maternal grandfather Alfonso in Molochio, an experience that ignited his curiosity about why some lives ended prematurely while others extended remarkably, such as his neighbor Salvatore Caruso, who became Italy's oldest man. Family discussions and observations of traditional Mediterranean lifestyles in these regions sparked his interest in , , and the factors influencing lifespan, though he initially pursued passions in music during his teenage years. At the age of 16, Longo immigrated to the , initially driven by aspirations to become a rock but soon redirecting toward educational opportunities in science. This move marked the transition from his formative years in to formal studies in biochemistry abroad.

Education

Valter Longo earned his degree in biochemistry from the in 1992, where he also minored in performance and conducted undergraduate research under the mentorship of Robert Gracy. His early exposure to biochemistry laid the foundation for his interest in cellular processes, influenced in part by his family's scientific discussions during his childhood in , . Longo pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), completing his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1997 under the supervision of Joan S. Valentine and Edith B. Gralla. His doctoral research centered on the role of and antioxidants in aging, utilizing as a to investigate activity and its impact on cellular survival and under nutrient stress. During this period, he gained expertise in techniques, including gene manipulation in , which shaped his approach to studying pathways. Following his Ph.D., Longo undertook postdoctoral training from 1997 to 2000 at the Andrus Gerontology Center at the (USC), mentored by Caleb E. Finch. This fellowship focused on the neurobiology of aging and the regulation of at the cellular level, bridging his biochemical training with gerontological research.

Professional Career

Academic Positions

Valter Longo commenced his academic career at the (USC) after completing his postdoctoral training in neurobiology there under Caleb Finch. From September 1999 to August 2001, he held the position of Research Assistant Professor in the Andrus Gerontology Center and the Department of Biological Sciences at USC. In September 2001, Longo was appointed Assistant Professor, serving as the Hanson Chair of in the School of and the Department of Biological Sciences until August 2006. He advanced to in the same departments and chair from September 2006 until 2011. Since February 2011, Longo has been a full in the School of Gerontology and the Department of Biological Sciences at USC, concurrently holding the Edna M. Jones Chair of . Longo maintains adjunct and visiting engagements with European institutions, including his role as Senior Group Leader at IFOM (the Italian Foundation for ) in , , since June 2012. His teaching at USC has emphasized aging and , with courses including Physiology of Aging (GERO 510), Molecular and of Aging (BISC 461), Neurobiology of Aging (GERO 414), and Nutrition, Genes, and Diseases (GERO 498).

Leadership Roles

Valter Longo has been the Director of the USC Longevity Institute since its founding in 2009, where he leads interdisciplinary efforts uniting scientists from the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, and other USC units to advance on aging mechanisms and age-related diseases. In this capacity, Longo has fostered collaborations across , , and to explore interventions that extend healthspan, drawing on his professorial role in and biological sciences at USC as a foundation for institutional leadership. Under his direction, the institute has expanded significantly, incorporating faculty and researchers from five USC schools and securing substantial , including a $10 million program grant from the National Institute on Aging in 2018 to investigate dietary restrictions like in relation to aging and disease prevention. By 2025, the institute contributed to its status as a premier center for aging studies with multimillion-dollar grants enabling innovative projects on . Longo also holds the position of Director of the Longevity and Cancer Program at the IFOM (FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology) in Milan, Italy, a role he assumed through international partnerships established around 2010 to integrate dietary and genetic approaches to aging and oncology research in Europe. This collaboration has facilitated cross-continental studies on nutrient-sensing pathways and their role in protecting against age-related cancers, building on Longo's expertise to create dedicated longevity programs in Italy. Additionally, Longo serves on scientific advisory boards for aging research foundations, providing guidance on global initiatives to promote healthy aging through nutrition and lifestyle interventions. These roles underscore his contributions to institution-building in biogerontology, distinct from his individual academic appointments.

Scientific Research

Fasting-Mimicking Diet

The fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), developed by Valter Longo, is a five-day, low-calorie, plant-based dietary intervention designed to replicate the physiological effects of water fasting, such as reduced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and elevated ketone production, while allowing minimal nutrient intake to avoid the challenges of complete caloric restriction. First detailed in preclinical and pilot human studies around 2014-2015, the FMD provides approximately 800-1,100 calories on day one and 700-800 calories on days two through five, primarily from sources like vegetable soups, herbal teas, nuts, olives, and small portions of fruits and legumes, ensuring a low-protein and low-sugar composition to mimic fasting's metabolic shift without total abstinence. This approach aims to promote cellular protection and regeneration while minimizing risks associated with prolonged fasting, such as muscle loss or nutrient deficiencies. The scientific foundation of the FMD rests on its ability to trigger key fasting-like responses, including (cellular self-cleaning), activation, and IGF-1 suppression, which collectively support tissue repair and longevity pathways observed across model organisms. In models, periodic FMD cycles extended lifespan by activating stress resistance genes, independent of caloric restriction alone. studies demonstrated multi-system rejuvenation, with cycles increasing hematopoietic stem cell-based regeneration by up to eightfold, enhancing cognitive function, and extending median lifespan by 11% when initiated in . Human pilot trials corroborated these effects, showing reduced IGF-1 (by about 24%) and improved markers of immune function, with a 2024 further revealing that three monthly FMD cycles lowered biological age by an average of 2.5 years, as measured by clocks, alongside decreases in and liver fat. These outcomes highlight the FMD's role in promoting regenerative processes without the full physiological stress of . Furthermore, the FMD has demonstrated potential in oncology as an adjunct to chemotherapy, triggering a protected state in healthy cells through mechanisms such as differential stress resistance (DSR) and differential stress sensitization. By reducing levels of growth-promoting hormones and factors like insulin, IGF-1, and glucose, the FMD shifts healthy cells into a low-energy, defensive mode that downregulates pathways vulnerable to chemotherapy's cytotoxic effects, thereby shielding them from toxicity and potentially reducing side effects such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and neutropenia. In contrast, cancer cells, often hindered by mutations, fail to enter this protective state and remain proliferative and metabolically active, increasing their sensitivity to chemotherapy and enhancing treatment efficacy while sparing healthy tissues. Additional benefits may include lowered inflammation, promoted autophagy, and modulated immune responses, leading to improved quality of life and fewer severe adverse events. Preclinical animal models and early-phase human trials in cancers such as breast, ovarian, and gynecologic types have shown that FMD cycles timed around chemotherapy infusions are generally safe and feasible, with mild side effects like fatigue or headache, and sometimes better tumor responses. The FMD is not a standalone treatment but requires medical supervision, and ongoing clinical trials continue to evaluate its safety and efficacy; patients should consult oncologists, as it may not be suitable for everyone, such as those with certain metabolic conditions. For detailed mechanisms and evidence from specific trials, see the "Applications to Disease Prevention" subsection. The standard FMD protocol spans five days, with day one offering higher calories (around 1,100) through nut-based bars, vegetable broths, and teas, followed by progressively simpler meals emphasizing leafy greens, , small handfuls of nuts like almonds or walnuts, and herbal infusions to maintain hydration and balance. This structure ensures the diet remains predominantly plant-derived, with fats from olives or avocados and minimal carbohydrates from low-glycemic sources, fostering a state of mild and . Commercialized in 2016 as the ProLon kit through Longo's company L-Nutra, the FMD has been packaged for accessibility, including pre-portioned meals that adhere to the original formulation. By 2025, recommendations for healthy adults evolved to include three to four cycles per year, spaced monthly or bimonthly, based on evidence from over 20 clinical trials demonstrating , feasibility, and sustained benefits like enhanced metabolic and reduced markers in diverse populations.

Longevity Diet and Aging Mechanisms

Valter Longo's is a pescatarian framework designed to promote healthy aging and extend lifespan through chronic dietary patterns that mimic those observed in long-lived populations. Primarily plant-based, the diet consists of about 95% vegan foods, emphasizing , whole grains, , nuts, and , with incorporated 2-3 times per week to provide omega-3 fatty acids and while selecting low-mercury options like or sardines. Protein intake is restricted to 0.31-0.36 grams per pound of body weight daily (approximately 0.7 grams per kilogram) for individuals under 65 to minimize signaling, after which it can be modestly increased with , eggs, or to preserve muscle mass; overall, the diet limits , , and saturated fats while incorporating moderate healthy fats and a 12-hour eating window. This approach, detailed in Longo's 2018 book , draws from decades of research on nutrition's role in aging. At its core, targets key aging mechanisms by modulating nutrient-sensing pathways that regulate cellular repair and . Low protein intake reduces activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin () and (IGF-1) signaling, which in turn activates sirtuins—NAD+-dependent deacetylases that enhance , mitochondrial function, and stress resistance—and (AMPK), a sensor that promotes and . Periodic elements of within the diet further bolster by improving and clearance of misfolded proteins, while suppressing chronic inflammation through downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6. These pathways, conserved across species, shift from growth to maintenance, delaying age-related decline independent of acute interventions. Supporting evidence for emerges from both human observational data and preclinical models. Longitudinal studies of centenarians in Blue Zones—regions like Okinawa and with exceptional —reveal dietary patterns rich in plant foods and low in animal protein correlate with reduced incidence of age-related diseases and extended healthspan, aligning closely with Longo's recommendations. In mouse models, diets mimicking these principles, such as low-protein/high-carbohydrate regimens, have demonstrated up to 30-50% lifespan extension compared to high-protein controls, with improved metabolic health and delayed onset of frailty; for instance, mice on 5-15% protein diets achieved median lifespans of around 150 weeks versus 100 weeks on standard high-protein feeds. The fasting-mimicking diet serves as a complementary short-term tool to enhance these chronic benefits periodically. Recent advancements as of 2025 incorporate the diet's influence on the gut microbiome, where plant-rich fibers foster beneficial bacteria that produce to further activate anti-aging pathways like AMPK and reduce . Additionally, personalized strategies within the framework now consider genetic markers, such as variations in IGF-1 or sirtuin-related genes, to tailor protein thresholds and macronutrient ratios for optimal outcomes in diverse populations. These integrations build on foundational , emphasizing the diet's adaptability for long-term adherence.

Applications to Disease Prevention

Longo's research on the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), commercialized through ProLon, has demonstrated potential in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy while mitigating its side effects in cancer patients. This approach leverages differential stress resistance (DSR) and differential stress sensitization, where FMD reduces levels of growth-promoting hormones and factors, such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and glucose, shifting healthy cells into a low-energy, defensive mode that downregulates pathways vulnerable to chemotherapy's DNA-damaging or cytotoxic effects, thereby shielding them from toxicity. Cancer cells, often harboring mutations that prevent entry into this protective state, remain in a proliferative, high-metabolism mode, making them more sensitive to chemotherapy drugs and potentially enhancing treatment efficacy while sparing healthy tissues. Additionally, FMD may lower inflammation, promote autophagy (cellular cleanup), and modulate immune responses, contributing to better overall tolerance of treatment. Preclinical animal models and early-phase human trials in breast, ovarian, gynecologic, and other cancers have shown that FMD cycles, timed around chemotherapy infusions, are generally safe and feasible, with mild side effects like fatigue or headache, and fewer severe chemotherapy-related adverse events such as fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea/constipation, and neutropenia (low white blood cell counts). Patients often report improved quality of life and less severe toxicity, with some studies indicating better tumor responses. FMD is not a standalone cancer treatment or cure but an adjunctive approach that requires medical supervision; ongoing clinical trials continue to evaluate its safety and efficacy, and patients should consult oncologists before trying it, as it may not be suitable for everyone, such as those with certain metabolic conditions. In a 2020 phase II trial involving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for HER2-negative breast cancer, FMD cycles were safe, feasible, and associated with decreased chemotherapy-induced DNA damage in healthy cells, alongside improved metabolic profiles that may bolster antitumor responses, though no significant reduction in toxicity was observed. Although specific trials for colorectal cancer are less documented in the primary literature, broader phase I/II studies in various solid tumors, including colorectal, have shown FMD to lower blood glucose and IGF-1 levels, potentially sensitizing cancer cells to therapy while protecting normal tissues. In the context of diabetes and obesity, Longo's emphasis on low-protein diets has been linked to reduced insulin resistance through lowered IGF-1 signaling. A seminal 2014 study in middle-aged adults showed that low-protein intake (less than 10% of calories) significantly decreased IGF-1 levels and improved metabolic health markers compared to high-protein diets. More recent FMD interventions from 2020 to 2025 have built on this, with clinical trials demonstrating reversal of type 2 diabetes markers. For instance, a 2023 primary care study found that periodic FMD cycles reduced the need for glucose-lowering medications in 40% of participants with type 2 diabetes, alongside improvements in HbA1c and body weight. A 2024 trial further confirmed that three FMD cycles lowered insulin resistance and hepatic fat in adults with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome, promoting beta-cell regeneration without adverse effects. A 2025 review of FMD for metabolic syndrome corroborated these findings, noting reductions in BMI, waist circumference, and inflammatory markers in obese individuals. For neurodegenerative diseases, FMD has shown protective effects against Alzheimer's disease primarily through reduced neuroinflammation in preclinical models, with emerging human data. In 2022 mouse models of Alzheimer's, periodic FMD cycles decreased amyloid-beta accumulation, tau phosphorylation, and microglial activation, while improving cognitive function via enhanced autophagy and stem cell-mediated repair. These benefits were attributed to lowered IGF-1 and systemic inflammation, mirroring mechanisms observed in aging. By 2023, pilot human studies reported preliminary evidence of FMD's safety and potential to modulate neuroinflammatory biomarkers in at-risk individuals, though larger trials are needed to confirm cognitive outcomes. Cardiovascular benefits from Longo's dietary approaches stem from decreased IGF-1 levels, which correlate with reduced heart disease risk. Low-protein diets, as detailed in Longo's 2014 analysis, substantially lower circulating IGF-1, associating with decreased overall and cardiovascular mortality in adults under 65. A 2022 meta-analysis of cohort studies reinforced this, finding that higher IGF-1 levels within physiological ranges inversely associated with cardiovascular events, suggesting optimal mid-range levels for protection; deviations, including extremes from poor diet, elevate risk. FMD trials have extended these insights, showing reductions in , , and IGF-1 after cycles, consistent with lower progression in observational data from over 10 studies. As of 2025, new protocols integrating FMD with have shown promise in , with potential implications for autoimmune conditions due to regenerative effects. Preclinical work has shown FMD protects against autoimmune damage in mouse models of and by promoting and regeneration. A 2024 clinical abstract reported that FMD combined with checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-1 reduced immunotherapy-related and enhanced antitumor immunity in cancer patients. Early 2025 explorations in suggest FMD protocols may amplify benefits by lowering chronic inflammation, though full trials are ongoing and evidence remains preliminary. While preclinical and early clinical data are promising, larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy and long-term safety in autoimmune diseases, particularly considering potential commercial biases from Longo's affiliation with L-Nutra.

Publications and Media

Key Books

Valter Longo's seminal work, (2018), outlines a clinically tested program combining a mostly plant-based, pescatarian daily with periodic five-day fasting-mimicking diets (FMD) to promote cellular regeneration, reduce , and extend healthy lifespan. The book integrates decades of Longo's research on nutrient-sensing pathways and aging, providing practical guidance on meal timing, low-protein intake for those under 65, and simple recipes featuring , , whole grains, and limited to optimize weight and prevent chronic diseases. It has achieved bestseller status and been translated into more than 25 languages, significantly influencing public awareness of evidence-based for . In 2022, Longo contributed to At Longevity’s Table: Secrets to Longevity, a companion volume featuring over 200 traditional Italian recipes adapted to align with the principles of , drawing from regions with high populations to illustrate how everyday foods can mitigate age-related risks. This work emphasizes accessible, culturally rooted meal ideas that support FMD protocols and overall dietary adherence, making the science approachable for general audiences without delving into clinical data. Longo's focus expanded to early-life interventions with Longevity Starts in Childhood (initially published in Italian and other languages, with an English edition forthcoming), co-authored with pediatric nutrition experts to adapt longevity principles for children and families, stressing balanced plant-forward to foster lifelong and prevent or metabolic issues. As of 2025, Longo released Fasting Cancer: How Fasting and Nutritechnology Are Creating a Revolution in Prevention and Treatment, building on his FMD research to detail protocols for enhancing cancer therapies, reducing side effects, and supporting recovery through targeted , including case examples from ongoing trials. This update reflects recent advancements in integrating with medical interventions, available in multiple languages including English, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, further broadening access to his disease-specific applications.

Scientific Contributions and Recent Works

Valter Longo's scientific contributions span over three decades, with a prolific output exceeding 300 peer-reviewed publications as of 2025, reflecting his of 91 and total citations surpassing 45,000 as of November 2025. His early work established foundational insights into aging mechanisms using models, notably through the 2001 Science paper demonstrating that mutations in the Sch9 gene, homologous to mammalian Akt/PKB, extend chronological lifespan in by up to threefold while enhancing stress resistance. This seminal study highlighted conserved pathways linking nutrient sensing to , influencing subsequent research across . Building on this, Longo's 2014 Cell Metabolism review synthesized evidence from to humans on mechanisms, proposing that interventions targeting insulin/IGF-1 signaling, such as dietary restriction, could extend healthy lifespan by promoting cellular protection and repair mechanisms. A cornerstone of Longo's research is the development and validation of the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), detailed in his highly cited 2014 Cell Metabolism article, which elucidated the molecular mechanisms of , including reduced IGF-1 and PKA signaling, that trigger , regeneration, and protection against age-related diseases. This paper, with over 1,900 citations, laid the groundwork for clinical applications by linking fasting-induced metabolic shifts to decreased inflammation and . Complementing this, his 2015 Cell Metabolism study provided the first human evidence that periodic FMD cycles promote multi-system regeneration, including activation and improved cognitive performance, while safely reducing body weight and risk factors for and . In recent years, Longo has advanced FMD applications through rigorous clinical trials and mechanistic studies. His 2024 Nature Communications paper reported that three monthly FMD cycles in humans reduce biological age markers, such as , hepatic fat, and , by enhancing stem cell-based rejuvenation and epigenetic reprogramming. This work, building on mouse models, underscores FMD's potential to reverse aging hallmarks without adverse effects. Additionally, a 2025 published in Cell Reports Medicine demonstrated that six FMD cycles improve chemosensory function and cardiometabolic profiles in individuals, further validating its role in preventing obesity-related decline. Longo's collaborative efforts extend to epidemiological analyses of longevity hotspots, including co-authorship in the 2022 Cell review on diet and aging, which integrated Blue Zones data from the 2010s and 2020s to show how low-protein, plant-based diets correlate with reduced IGF-1 and extended healthspan across populations. These multinational studies, involving teams from USC and international institutions, emphasize the translational impact of his yeast-derived insights to human . His books, such as , briefly summarize these findings for broader accessibility.

Awards and Recognition

Major Honors

Valter Longo has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to longevity research, particularly the role of and sensing in aging and prevention. These honors underscore the translational impact of his work, bridging basic science with clinical applications to promote healthy lifespan extension. In 2016, Longo was awarded the Glenn Foundation Award for Research in the Biology of Aging, which supports innovative studies on the mechanisms underlying aging and strategies to extend healthy human lifespan. This accolade highlighted his discoveries on how periodic activates cellular protection and regeneration pathways, such as and renewal, to combat age-related decline. The 2013 Vincent Cristofalo "Rising Star" Award in Aging Research from the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) acknowledged Longo's emerging in elucidating the genetic and dietary factors influencing , including the identification of pathways like IGF-1 signaling that link nutrition to extended healthspan. Earlier, in 2010, he received the Nathan Shock New Investigator Lecture Award from the National Institute on Aging (NIA/NIH), honoring his early research on the evolutionary and molecular basis of aging, with a focus on how restriction mimics evolutionary adaptations for and . In 2018, Time magazine named Longo one of the 50 most influential people in healthcare, citing his development of the fasting-mimicking diet as a practical intervention that has influenced global discussions on nutrition, aging, and preventive medicine. By 2025, Longo's influence continued to grow through keynote invitations at major international conferences, including the Milan Longevity Summit, where he delivered a featured lecture alongside Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka on stem cell activation and dietary interventions for aging, and the Design of Clinical (DOC) 2025 conference, emphasizing clinical breakthroughs in longevity science. These invitations highlight his ongoing leadership in the field. Longo has garnered numerous major awards throughout his career, as documented in sources including his and official biography.

Institutional Affiliations

Valter Longo has served as Director of the USC Longevity Institute since July 2011, a position in which he oversees interdisciplinary research on aging, , and age-related diseases at the University of Southern California's Leonard Davis School of . He holds the Edna M. Jones Professorship in and there, fostering collaborations across , , and clinical applications to advance understanding of dietary interventions for healthspan extension. Internationally, Longo directs the Oncology and Longevity Laboratory at the IFOM Institute of Molecular Oncology in , , where he leads studies on the intersections of cancer, aging, and nutritional strategies, bridging his U.S.-based work with European research networks. This affiliation, established around 2014, supports ongoing programs in and cancer biology, including the exploration of fasting-mimicking protocols in tumor environments. Longo maintains active memberships in key professional societies, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Gerontological Society of America, which facilitate his engagement with broader scientific communities on topics like nutrient sensing and lifespan . As of 2025, his roles remain central to these institutions, with continued emphasis on amid evolving global efforts in aging science.

Personal Life

Lifestyle Practices

Valter Longo follows his own in his daily routine, emphasizing plant-based meals rich in , , whole grains, and nuts, with occasional consumption three to four times per week while largely avoiding meat and sugar. He structures his eating within a strict 12-hour window, typically starting with around 9 a.m.—such as whole-grain friselle with spread and —and ending with dinner by 9 p.m., often featuring pasta with and on weekends. This approach aligns with his research on nutrient timing to support metabolic health. Longo incorporates moderate exercise into his daily life, including a one-hour walk each day, whether commuting or around his environments in or , supplemented by 30 to 60 minutes of cardio on a stationary bike every other day, along with bodyweight strength exercises like push-ups and sit-ups. He blends low-intensity walking with periodic vigorous efforts to enhance cardiovascular function without overexertion. In terms of , Longo routinely practices a 12-hour daily fast by skipping lunch and confining meals to his eating window, which he credits with reducing intake by around 500 per day. Additionally, he personally undertakes the five-day Fasting-Mimicking Diet two to four times annually, a low- protocol high in unsaturated fats designed to mimic benefits while providing minimal sustenance. As of 2025, Longo has shared his aspiration to achieve a 120-year lifespan by integrating optimization—prioritizing consistent, quality on a regular schedule—and stress reduction through a balanced that prioritizes positive . He ensures meals conclude three to four hours before to avoid disrupting quality, viewing these practices as essential extensions of his research.

Views on Longevity

Valter Longo expresses optimism that human lifespans could routinely extend to 120 years or more through integrated approaches combining dietary interventions, pharmacological agents, and , emphasizing healthy aging over mere . He critiques the over-medicalization of aging, arguing that excessive reliance on unproven supplements or extreme biohacking—such as high-dose therapies—diverts from sustainable, evidence-based strategies that prioritize modifications. Longo's ethical perspective underscores the need for interventions to be accessible across socioeconomic strata, warning that commercial products like his own Fasting-Mimicking Diet kits, priced at around $300, risk exacerbating inequalities if not scaled affordably through professional supervision and integration. He cautions against the hype in the anti-aging industry, dismissing unsubstantiated claims—such as human as a —as not only inaccurate but potentially harmful, and advocates for rigorous clinical validation before widespread adoption. His views are shaped by , where periodic mimics ancestral fat-burning states to trigger protective cellular mechanisms like , and by studies of centenarians in Blue Zones, whose plant-dominant diets and active lifestyles inform his recommendations for low-protein, high-complex-carbohydrate eating patterns. In 2025 discussions, Longo highlighted societal benefits, projecting that widespread adoption of such protocols could normalize lifespans to 100–110 years, drastically cutting healthcare costs by preventing chronic diseases like and reducing treatment burdens after age 40. In public interviews, Longo consistently advocates for evidence-based over diets, promoting periodic cycles and Mediterranean-inspired regimens supported by animal and human trials, while rejecting high-meat or unrestricted protein approaches that accelerate aging pathways.

References

  1. https://gero.usc.edu/faculty/longo/
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6816332/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35310455/
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