Conscious abstinence

Why is fasting actually healthy?

We live in a time where much of life revolves around food. Healthy eating is frequently discussed among friends and in the media. But conscious abstinence is rarely addressed – even though it can bring many health benefits.

During fasting, calorie intake is deliberately limited in time and reduced below the basal metabolic rate. This process is not unfamiliar to the human body, since in earlier times it was quite normal to go through periods of hunger. In this sense, fasting is a very natural process.

How does fasting "cleanse" the body?

After just a few days of fasting, the body automatically switches its metabolism. First, glucose stores in the liver are depleted and the metabolic rate slows down. Then, damaged cell components that have accumulated over time are broken down and recycled. This self-repair mechanism is at the heart of fasting’s cleansing effect. By eliminating these cellular deposits, inflammation can be reduced and the aging process may even be slowed. In addition, fasting has shown positive effects in cases of high blood pressure, rheumatism, and type 2 diabetes.

Fasting does not mean starving

Many people associate fasting with little or no food intake. This does not reflect our experience, nor what research shows. Studies indicate that fasting begins in the body with an intake of up to 650 kilocalories per day – as in vegetable fasting. Soup or juice fasting provides even fewer calories. However, we advise against pure water or “zero” fasting, as this places extreme strain on the body: muscle mass is excessively broken down and, in severe cases, villus atrophy* may occur.

When carried out consciously and with medical-dietary guidance, fasting is not starving but rather a deliberate pause with the aim of doing something good for your body.

Can everyone fast?

At Marienkron, we always begin with a detailed medical consultation to determine whether and in what form a fasting program is beneficial. For generally healthy people who may be slightly overweight or have only minor complaints, fasting can bring significant advantages: It stimulates the body’s repair mechanisms and helps restore the metabolism to balance. Fasting is particularly supportive:

• for prevention and maintaining general health
• with early signs of metabolic disorders
• with chronic pain and joint problems
• with stress or symptoms of overstrain

However, fasting is not suitable for:

• people with very low body mass index (BMI)
• people with eating disorders (including past history)
• those struggling with severe yo-yo effects – here, a long-term vegetarian reduction diet is more appropriate
• patients with severe liver, kidney, or thyroid dysfunction
• people with electrolyte imbalances
• those prone to heart rhythm disturbances or seizures
• patients with psychiatric disorders
• children or very elderly individuals
• people recovering from a recent illness
• patients who have recently started new medication regimens

Whether fasting is right for you – and which form may be most beneficial – will be determined at Marienkron based on your lab results and a thorough medical consultation.

^{*Villus atrophy = flattening of the intestinal villi, leading to inflammation of the small intestine and impaired nutrient absorption.}