If you’re revisiting New Year’s resolutions, or simply seeking a way to support your health, the start of Lent can be a timely opportunity. Reducing or eliminating certain foods and beverages can be easier during this period, with social events less frequent than earlier in the year. However, the benefits of mindful eating extend beyond a specific timeframe, and even shorter periods of dietary adjustment can yield positive results.
The medical community increasingly recognizes the potential health benefits of periods of restricted eating, often referred to as intermittent fasting. Research suggests improvements in conditions like inflammatory joint diseases, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Emerging evidence also points to potential benefits for mental well-being, with a study currently underway at Frankfurt University Hospital exploring these effects.
Biological Rejuvenation Possible
Recent research suggests that fasting may even influence the aging process. The process of autophagy, or “cell cleaning,” is stimulated by fasting, and may have anti-inflammatory effects, as well as promote the formation of new stem cells. A 2024 study by aging researcher Valter Longo demonstrated that a diet of 600 to 800 calories, primarily plant-based and low in sugar, consumed for five days a month, led to a biological rejuvenation of approximately two and a half years in study participants. While further research is needed to determine if this translates to increased lifespan, the findings are promising.
Clinics specializing in fasting, such as the Schlosspark Clinic in Gersfeld, Germany, founded in 1981 by Dr. Jürgen von Rosen and now led by his son, Dr. Martin von Rosen, offer various programs designed to promote health and “purification.” These programs incorporate methods like liver wraps and lymphatic stimulation techniques. “It’s our sewage system,” explains Dr. Martin von Rosen, referring to the lymphatic system. “But the lymphatic system doesn’t have its own engine – movement, breathing, singing, dancing get it going,” adds Dr. Jürgen von Rosen.
The focus at the Rosen Clinic isn’t solely on rapid weight loss, but rather on achieving lasting health improvements through dietary and lifestyle changes. The concept of “detoxification,” while sometimes controversial in medical circles, is embraced by the clinic’s practitioners as a means of eliminating stored substances from fat and connective tissue.
“About 80 percent of our immune cells are in the intestines”
The doctors at the Rosen Clinic emphasize the importance of gut health, aligning with recent findings regarding the gut microbiome’s impact on immunity. “Around 80 percent of our immune cells are in the intestine,” emphasizes Dr. Martin von Rosen. Maintaining a healthy gut is therefore crucial for overall well-being.
The clinic’s approach, rooted in the principles of the FXMayr treatment developed by Austrian doctor Franz Xaver Mayr, focuses on relieving the digestive system. This involves consuming foods like stale rolls with milk or yogurt, and emphasizing thorough chewing – at least 30 times per bite – to initiate digestion in the mouth. The clinic also promotes mindful eating, encouraging patients to eat until they are approximately 80 percent full, a practice common in Japanese culture.
Dr. Jürgen von Rosen notes that many people have forgotten how to chew properly, and that slow salivation is a critical first step in the digestive process. He also highlights the importance of meal timing, advising against large meals late in the evening, which can strain the digestive system and disrupt sleep.
“We eat too much, too quickly, too late,” says Dr. Martin von Rosen, “and are surprised that we are sick.” The doctors advocate for a dietary pattern mirroring the traditional adage: “In the morning like an emperor, at noon like a king, in the evening like a beggar.”
The clinic’s practitioners believe that intermittent fasting, whether employing a 16:8 or 14:10 schedule, can be beneficial, but emphasize the importance of overall dietary quality. They note that regular fasting should be viewed as a form of self-care, and is suitable for healthy individuals, but should be discussed with a healthcare professional beforehand.
The Most Common Fasting Methods
Therapeutic fasting: This involves abstaining from solid food for a period of five to twenty days, consuming only water, herbal tea, and vegetable broth. Preparation and a gradual reintroduction of food are recommended.
Juice fasting: This diet consists exclusively of vegetable and fruit juices, along with water and tea. A low proportion of fruit juice is advised due to its sugar content.
Mayr-Kur: This method, also known as the milk and bread roll diet, focuses on relieving the digestive system by consuming stale rolls with milk or yogurt, and emphasizing thorough chewing.
The interval fast: This includes models like 16:8 or 14:10, or the 5:2 diet, involving periods of fasting and restricted eating. The Barmer health insurance company reports studies suggesting intermittent fasting can lower blood pressure, regulate cholesterol, and protect against oxidative stress and inflammation. Long-term weight loss benefits depend on dietary choices during eating periods.
Mock fasting: This typically involves a five-day course consuming 800 to 1200 calories daily from plant-based foods. It aims to induce metabolic changes similar to those seen with complete fasting.
Important information: Fasting is not suitable for everyone, so it is advisable to clarify this with your family doctor or spa doctor beforehand.
