Therapeutic Fasting Longer life through fasting?

Myths and facts about detox diets and fasting

With detox diets such as detox pollutants and toxins are bound and excreted in the body. In the trend-setting diet, the weight should be reduced by avoiding processed foods, sugar, white flour, gluten or yeast. At the same time, the body breaks down harmful substances such as alcohol, drugs or environmental toxins, as far as the theory goes. The diet is accompanied by teas or massages. However, according to the German Society for Nutrition (DGE), there is no scientific evidence that such measures promote the excretion of toxins. What is fact and what is myth in fasting?

Many experts consider the renunciation to be meaningful, albeit for reasons other than the diet suggests. The most important effect of fasting is psychological. According to Dr. med. Verena Buchinger-Kähler, who runs the fasting clinic in Bad Pyrmont, does the body's detoxification work herself. The chief physician points to the process of autophagy, with which cells break down and utilize their own components. This ranges from misfolded proteins to whole cell organelles. The cell gets rid of harmful substances and expel them, thus creating a kind of self-detoxification mechanism. But since the principle is inhibited by insulin, according to Buchinger-Kähler, it can certainly help to eat nothing for a while.

Fasting is good for the soul

The founder of the fasting clinic in Bad Pyrmont Otto Buchinger was the first to emphasize the emotional dimension of fasting, as reported on the website of the clinic. Therapeutic fasting is a popular method for many people, to escape the stress of everyday life, to unwind and recharge their batteries. In addition to a better body feeling and more efficiency is a frequent result more joy of life. But one thing is not cure fast: a weight loss. Although the weight decreases during the course of fasting, this should not be understood as the main goal. Rather, the focus in fasting is on the development of a mindful handling of oneself and one's own body.

Various applications

The areas of therapeutic fasting are manifold and can be used in both chronic and acute diseases. For example, metastases, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases, diseases of the digestive system or respiratory diseases were successfully treated in the fasting clinic. Mental disorders such as fatigue and simple psychosomatic disorders can often be remedied by fasting. The treatments are partly taken over by the statutory health insurance.

Previous studies on animals showed impressive results

Model experiments in animals have already yielded astonishing results in earlier studies. Fasting mice were able to increase their life expectancy by up to 30 percent. For worms, the results were even more pronounced. In addition, increased cognitive performance was seen in some fasting animals. However, many effects of fasting so far can be detected only in mice and rats.

Purifies therapeutic fasting?

Some experts, such as the nutritionist and diabetologist Prof. Andreas Pfeiffer, do not think much of the detoxifying effect of fasting. Also in opinion of the DGE there is no slags. A radical cure, according to the DGE is not a suitable measure to lose weight. Much more is the psychological effects highlighted. People who fast, deal with their body, their health and their diet. But seniors, pregnant women, breastfeeding or children should not just expose themselves to a detox diet, the experts warn. Above all, the DGE recommends refraining from alcohol and nicotine at first. For most, that would be enough detox. (Fp)