Losing 20 Pounds of Pressure Off Your Knees Is Possible — Here’s How
Understanding how to protect your knees—and your long-term mobility—begins by letting go of an outdated idea: “wear and tear.”
What’s actually happening inside the knee is a combination of mechanical and chemical stress.
Osteoarthritis is one of the clearest examples of this. It occurs when cartilage breaks down faster than the body can repair and rebuild it.
So the real question becomes:
How do we slow down—or even stop—this cycle of joint stress?
The answer starts with one word:
Relief.
Relief from mechanical stress. Relief from chemical stress.
And the most effective strategies aren’t found in ibuprofen bottles or cortisone syringes—they’re found in targeted lifestyle approaches that reduce both forms of load on the knees.
Let’s break that down.
Mechanical Stress: Why Weight Loss Makes Such a Big Difference
For every 1 pound of weight lost, the knees experience 4 pounds less force with every step.
That means:
Losing 5 pounds = 20 pounds less pressure on the knees each step
Over 5,000 steps per day = 100,000 pounds less total daily load
This is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to reduce knee stress—and it’s measurable, predictable, and backed by biomechanics.
But mechanical stress is only half the story.
Chemical Stress: Why Visceral Fat Accelerates Joint Breakdown
Visceral abdominal fat is not just stored energy—it’s metabolically active, releasing inflammatory chemicals that circulate throughout the body, including into joints.
These inflammatory molecules:
Increase cartilage breakdown
Worsen joint pain
Affect non–weight-bearing joints like hands and wrists
Raise systemic inflammation levels (including hsCRP)
Reducing visceral fat can therefore lower inflammatory burden and decrease chemical stress on the knees.
Benefits may include:
Improved insulin sensitivity
Better blood sugar control
Lower cholesterol
Lower blood pressure
Reduced triglycerides
Lower inflammatory markers (hsCRP)
Together, this creates an internal environment that’s more supportive of joint longevity.
A Strategy That Targets Both Mechanical and Chemical Stress: Fasting
Fasting is one tool shown to preferentially target visceral abdominal fat, making it a strong option for reducing both mechanical and chemical stress on the knees.
There are many approaches to fasting, but one that consistently stands out is the Prolon Fasting Mimicking Diet.
How Prolon Supports Joint-Friendly Weight Reduction
Prolon is a 5-day, plant-based meal program designed to mimic the beneficial physiological effects of fasting—without the discomfort or risk of complete water-only fasting.
It’s:
Low in calories, protein, and sugars
High in healthy fats
Clinically studied in over 37 human trials
Across three monthly cycles, research shows:
An average of 5.7 pounds lost
1.5 inches off the waist (an indicator of visceral fat reduction)
Preservation of lean muscle
Improvements in metabolic markers
Support for healthy aging, including reduced biological age in one study
These changes directly reduce the load and inflammation affecting the knees.
Is Prolon Right for You?
If you’re exploring ways to reduce knee stress, support long-term mobility, and improve overall health, fasting—particularly Prolon—may be an effective tool.
For questions or guidance, you can always reach out. I’m here to help you create a safe, evidence-informed plan that aligns with your goals.