Fasting for Health
The origin of fasting lies in religion. In both Christianity and Islam there is a period of fasting during which, under certain conditions, abstinence from eating is practiced. In the meantime, the practice has also established itself as a healing method in alternative medicine and has been freed from the religious context. People turn to fasting for the sake of their health, since fasting therapies clean the body of harmful toxins and help replenish vitality, using natural ingredients and methods. As an added bonus: you can also lose a few pounds. Through the (almost) complete renunciation of solid food, the body begins to empty and break down stored reserves of carbohydrates, fat and protein. The increased fluid intake also flushes the system and makes it easier to eliminate waste products and toxins, which improves our long-term well-being. Many say that fasting lowers blood pressure or use fasting for depression.
Health Benefits of Fasting for Body & Soul
A fasting therapy not only brings about a noticeable improvement in physical health, but also has a positive effect on our spirit. In addition to strengthening the immune system and intestinal function, loss of weight and alleviation of chronic complaints, blood circulation is improved and general well-being is promoted. Due to the increased release of the happiness hormone serotonin and the reduction of the stress hormone cortisol, a so-called “fasting high” is attained, which many people describe as finding mental release, relaxation and inner peace. This is also why some have turned to fasting for depression. With the expert guidance of doctors and fasting nutritionists, you are sure to experience many of the health benefits of fasting.
Fasting vs. Fasting Therapy – What‘s the Difference?
Fasting is simply the continuous renunciation of certain luxury foods or solid foods for a certain period of time, and the also includes fasting for spirituality. Fasting therapy, on the other hand, has a very clear medical objective: to cleanse and regenerate the body and soul to ultimately improve the long-term health and well-being of the patient. As the term suggests, it is used to treat and counteract certain conditions and illnesses.
The 3 Stages of Your Fasting Holiday
If the therapy is carried out in a fasting clinic, a fasting plan adapted to the individual needs of the patient is prepared in advance. The duration and intensity of the fasting is determined and expert personnel are provided. A fasting therapy usually lasts 1-4 weeks. A classic fasting therapy is divided into three phases:
Stage 1: Relief
In the first phase of fasting therapy, you gradually change your diet. All addictive substances such as alcohol, nicotine, coffee and sweets are avoided and you start to drink a lot more fluids, particularly water and herbal teas. It is recommended to have three to four liters of water, tea, broth or juice per day. You should also try to avoid stress as much as possible. As these days can lead to increased side effects such as headaches, feelings of weakness, mood swings, body odor or sensations of cold, this phase is considered the most difficult.
Stage 2: Detox
In the second phase all solid food is now completely removed from the diet. However, as the body has a daily requirement of nutrients which should be covered, a high intake of liquids with mineral drinks is extremely important. The stomach and intestinal tract are emptied with the help of Glauber's salt and colon cleanses. In this process, waste products from the muscles other harmful toxins in the body are dissolved and excreted. The initial side effects from the first phase tend to disappear and the body gains new energy.
Stage 3: Breaking the Fast
In the third and final phase you break your fast and is slowly return to a normal diet. Usually you start this stage by eating apple or a carrot together with a vegetable broth, keeping the first foods light and very easy to digest. Since the body has largely stopped producing digestive juices during the purification phase, light, low-fat foods should be on the menu to avoid discomfort. Although the fasting period is now over, addictive substances or too much fat should still be avoided after the fasting days, as this puts too much strain on the body. In general, the chewing rhythm as well as the duration of a meal should also be adjusted, as the body still works more slowly now.
As soon as the body has returned to its normal rhythm, you should pay attention eating a balanced diet and with sufficient exercise, so that the benefits of fasting stay in place.
Find Your Perfect Fasting Therapy Hotel
Do you already know which type of fasting therapy suits you best and where the journey may go? Then use our filters to find your ideal offer. If you want to learn more about the different fasting methods, keep reading below!
Overview of Fasting Methods
There are so many different offers for fasting therapy and sometimes finding the right one can be a little daunting. Start by assessing what your primary health goal for your fasting holiday will be and choose the fasting diet that best suits your goals. Here is a small overview to help you make your choice!
Buchinger Fasting Therapy
The Buchinger fasting therapy is the most common fasting method. Here you only drink vegetable broth and juice, as well as lots of tea. Solid food is completely eliminated. Typically, this is also supported with treatments such as an intestinal cleanse in the form of gentle laxative aids or colon hydrotherapy. This therapeutic fasting therapy is meant to activate the body's self-healing powers and therewith counteract chronic inflammatory diseases. Buchinger fasting also contributes to the improvement of psychological well-being through the release of serotonin.
F.X. Mayr Fast
Also known as the “milk and bread diet”. This method is based on three main principles to change your eating habits for good: protection, cleansing and training. What makes F.X. Mayr so special, is that the food is eaten particularly slowly and chewed very thoroughly. Although the portions are quite small, you can enjoy them and feel a pleasant feeling of satiety. The F.X. Mayr fasting therapy is particularly suitable for those who do not want to or are not allowed to go without food completely, as is done in Buchinger fasting. By eating slowly, the participants can reflect on their own eating habits, to help them realize the changes they need to make.
Schroth Method
The classic Schroth method relies on the four pillars of diet, wet and dry days, wraps and exercise. The guest consumes in about 600 calories per day, in the form of vegan and purely alkaline foods. In addition, there is a rhythmic alternation of drinking and dry days (0.5-1L water), which is intended to awaken the body's own healing powers. Another important component is the use of moist compresses and wraps, which ensure good circulation and stimulate the metabolism. Gentle exercise offers a little variety and distraction.
Alkaline Diet
Fasting does not necessarily mean starving yourself! In contrast to traditional fasting, you can eat your fill while doing something for your health and well-being. Due to our current lifestyle habits where lack of time and neglectful eating habits dominate, we are often over acidified. The fat, sugar and additives in our diets, as well as alcohol and nicotine, have an acidic effect on the bodies. Even stress can lead to acidosis. If we are acidic, our vital organs – liver, bladder, kidneys, stomach and intestines – suffer the consequences, not to mention our teeth, joints and even our skin.
Your body will be relieved if you feed it only alkaline foods for a while. Alkaline foods include everything that do not contain animal protein, such as most plant foods, like vegetables, herbs, fruits, sprouts, as well as seeds and some nuts. What you won’t find on an alkaline diet menu: meat, fish, dairy products, cereal products, legumes, sugar, coffee and alcohol. Taste can be deceptive: sour citrus fruits become alkaline in the body, whereas dairy products become sour.
The alkaline diet is generally suitable for everyone. Most recommend a 7 day fast up to a 2 week fast. After this it is best incorporate many alkaline foods into your diet, but not to exclude the good acid-forming foods that contribute to a long-lasting, healthy balance.
Intermittent Fasting
One of the best-known methods is intermittent fasting, 8/16. Here you fast for 16 hours and eat for 8 hours. For example: you eat the last meal of the day at around 6 p.m. and have breakfast at 10 am the next day. This has the advantage that you relieve your digestion in the evening and do not interrupt the body's natural elimination processes (toxin elimination) early in the morning. You give your body time to allow for cleansing and regeneration, which counteracts excess weight, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases and even autoimmune diseases on a more permanent basis.
No matter what kind of fasting therapy you decide to go with, your body and soul will thank you for it. There are many great and reputable hotels and clinics for fasting in Germany, as this is a well-practiced method of healing. Alternatively, if you would like to get some more sun, try fasting in Spain!
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FAQ - Everything about fasting
For whom is fasting recommended?
Who should not fast?
Before starting any fasting therapy, you should have a check-up with your doctor because, healthy or sick, fasting is not for everyone.
The most common contraindications are:
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Eating disorders
- Serious illnesses such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, cancer, etc.
- Psychological disorders or severe depression
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pregnancy and breast feeding
Fasting therapy can be beneficial to some of these conditions, but only with medical consent from your physician and under strict supervision.
Children and teenagers should not fast.
Does fasting always mean I’m going on a diet?
Fasting itself is not considered a diet in the classical sense. Although it is not primarily geared towards weight loss, it is a welcome side effect of fasting therapy, as the calorie intake is kept very low, usually between 380 and 600 kcal. The goal of fasting therapy is primarily improving the physical and mental well-being. You can also see the fasting regimen as a kind of new start: Those who wish to lose weight on the long term and change their diet or lifestyle will find this much easier after fasting.
What can I expect at a fasting hotel?
We have numerous fasting clinics and hotels, both in Germany and abroad, that cover all the above mentioned fasting therapies. If you book a fasting therapy in one of our health hotels, you can be sure that you will be well looked after. For example, at the beginning of your stay there will be an introductory consultation so that your personal needs or complaints can be addressed; during the treatment you will be looked after by medical staff; and after your fasting holiday, you will be helpful tips that you can take home with you. You can also take part in many detoxifying and relaxing treatments to support the healing process (sauna, steam baths, swimming). A varied exercise programme also plays an important role in your stay at the spa, often encompassing group hikes, aqua gymnastics, meditation or yoga. Some even offer informative lectures to round off the programme.
How long should I fast?
The number of fasting days possible for you depend entirely on your goals, individual health and of course the specific fasting therapy you choose. The classic fasting regimens, such as Buchinger fasting which is carried out under professional supervision in our fasting hotels, is usually booked as a 7 day fast. You should not fast for much longer than 2 to a maximum of 4 weeks. Intermittent fasting, on the other hand, can be integrated into everyday life for a longer period of time, for example after a fasting holiday, as the body is does not lack nutrients, but is merely given more time to regenerate. You can, however, continue to eat a normal, well-balanced diet.
What is important for a successful fasting therapy?
For people who are considering fasting therapy for the first time, abstaining from (certain) foods and the resulting weakness can initially be quite overwhelming. We have put together some tips for you to make fasting pleasant and, most of all, successful:
Environment: First of all, make sure that you fast in an environment that supports your goals. Many people choose a fasting holiday at a clinic or hotel, for example, so that they can meet like-minded people as well as not be exposed to tempting stimuli that could derail their therapy. In this way you can concentrate fully on your fasting stay in a supportive environment. It also allows you to get away from your day-to-day stressors, giving you the headspace to reflect on your health and lifestyle.
Timing: In principle, you can always start a fasting therapy, provided are in good health and not pregnant or breastfeeding. However, it is advisable to choose a period that is free of stress for you. You should start your fasting holiday completely relaxed and have time for your thoughts. Even after the fasting therapy, it is important to remain relaxed and mindful, so that you do not immediately fall back into old patterns, which you have defeated during the treatment.
Health: You should always consult with your personal physician before embarking on a fasting holiday. Tell your doctor about the fasting methods that interest you most and discuss if they would be suitable for you and your body. You can also ask them if they have a method that they would suggest for you. This step is particularly important to first-time fasters.
Goal: Choose a fasting therapy that caters towards your goal – whether it is to tackle a specific health problem or simply shed some pounds. Not every programme is right for every situation.
Mindset: There will be days when you will wonder why you started this in the first place. It is important not to focus on quitting, but consciously remind yourself of the good aspects as well as the initial goal. Make yourself aware of the health benefits of fasting and perceive all moments of the treatment as an enjoyable experience. Get support from other guests at the fasting hotel, as they are likely battling the same pitfalls and doubts. And most of all, let yourself be pampered with a massage, mud pack or other wellness treatments. This is, after all, a holiday that is about taking time for yourself!