Fasting methods - a tough choice
Mayr Cure, interval fasting, alkaline fasting. There are plenty of different fasting methods but which is the right one for me? Dr Gartner from the Park Igls Medical Spa Resort, which offers Modern Mayr Medicine based on the latest scientific research and medical insights, compares the Mayr Cure with other fasting methods and gives a few tips on how to make the most of your own fasting experience – whichever method you choose.
Dr Gartner, which people are most likely to benefit from fasting and are there certain groups of people who should avoid fasting?
Dr Gartner: Fasting can be good for healthy individuals and people suffering from chronic illness. Those with chronic conditions in particular can see a big benefit. People with acute illnesses should avoid fasting.
What do the different fasting methods have in common? And what makes the Mayr Cure different?
Dr Gartner: In all detox fasting cures, the basic element is the same: water. Water is used to dissolve toxins. These toxins must be dissolved so they can be filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and liver and removed from the body. The big difference when it comes to Modern Mayr Medicine is that we support people in changing their eating habits. This is essential for long-term success.
What do I need to know about fasting?
Dr Gartner: Fasting is a real challenge for the body and pushes you to your physical limits, so it is important that you do not fast alone but always under the supervision of a medical professional. Drinking such a large amount ogf liquid can place strain on the kidneys. Because dissolved toxins circulate in the blood before they are excreted, symptoms of re-intoxication can occur. These can range from pain to heart attack-like symptoms, though it is important to emphasise that this is not a real heart attack. In some cases there can also be certain psychological effects. This is why medical supervision is required. In our fasting hotel in Austria we have a team of medical professionals on hand at all times to guide and support guests during their fasting period.
Which elements are important in fasting apart from the food itself?
Dr Gartner: It is important to minimise the side effects of the detoxification process by adding alkaline-rich substances to the patient's diet. These not only help the kidneys to better eliminate toxins from the body but they also enhance the detoxifying effect brought about by fasting. Bitter water also helps speed up the cleansing of the bowels. In this case, magnesium must be substituted. There is a whole range of substances that enhance the detoxification effect or minimise the side effects. This is another reason why medical supervision is important.
How can I know which fasting method is the best for my specific condition or health issue?
Dr Gartner: Different kinds of fasting suit different kinds of people. It is important that each fasting regime is adapted to the individual person and their specific needs. For my patients the Mayr Cure is the number one choice because it does not follow a "one size fits all" principle but is instead adapted on a person by person basis. That means there is no such thing as "the Mayr Cure" – each person gets their own personalised version. This, in combination with the fact that we support our guests in "relearning the eating process", is why the Mayr Cure has such good potential for long-term success.
How do the team at Park Igls choose the right dietary stage?
Dr Gartner: There are lots of different tools available to do this, for example Dr. F.X. Mayr's humoral diagnostics. The initial examination and consultation at Park Igls gives us a good indication of which dietary stage is suitable for the respective person. Underlying illnesses, medication, individual food tolerance, habits, health goals and the person's general state of health are all taken into account. Using this information, as a doctor I can tailor the dietary stage at an individual level and ensure that the person also has a sense of achievement in their fasting experience. In my daily work I find that my patients are highly motivated.
It really depends on your personal situation. It has to fit in with everyday life. Whatever form of intermittent fasting you opt for, it is really important that you reduce your sugar intake as much as possible. If your insulin levels are high, this means the body cannot burn fat. When it comes to the success of a fasting regime, the most important thing is fluid intake. Water dissolves toxins. The kidneys and liver filter these out of the blood and they are then excreted from the body.
The healthiest form of fasting is detoxification carried out under medical supervision and tailored to the respective person's specific needs. Drinking a lot of fluids releases toxins, which can place pressure on the kidneys. It can also cause certain psychological effects. Therefore it is important to mitigate the side effects of the detoxification process with alkaline-rich foods and other substances. The Mayr Cure has proved a very healthy form of fasting with long-term benefits when it is adapted by a medical professional to match the needs and wishes of the individual person.
Modern Mayr Medicine fasting adapted by a healthcare professional to the needs of the individual person and carried out under the supervision of a doctor has shown itself to be a very effective form of fasting. A core element is supporting people in "relearning the eating process", which helps avoid the classic yoyo effect and instead enables them to maintain a healthy weight over the long term.
The question of how quickly you can lose weight through intermittent fasting depends on various factors such as calorie intake, sugar and fat consumption, exercise and the person's individual metabolism. It is also really important to drink enough. Experience has shown that it is possible to lose between 0.5 and 2 kilos per week.
How long and how strictly you should fast is something which should be decided in consultation with a medical professional taking into account the following factors: underlying illnesses, medication, individual food tolerance, habits, health goals and general state of health. People with acute illnesses should avoid fasting.
Fasting begins with a period of several days during which the body is gently prepared step by step for the fasting process. In the week before you begin your fasting regime, we recommend not to drink alcohol, to eat as little meat as possible (ideally none) and to get as much fibre as possible into your diet. You should also eat a smaller evening meal than normal (or skip it altogether) and try to drink more water than usual between meals.
Alcohol and sugar should be avoided. On the other hand, it is important to increase the amount of water you drink.
The types of foods you are allowed to eat are determined by which fasting method you have chosen, though as a rule it is important to always make sure your fasting process is supported by a medical professional. They will help you plan your fasting regime based on underlying illnesses, medication, individual food tolerance, habits, health goals and your general state of health.
About the author
Dr. med. Peter R. Gartner
After studying medicine in Innsbruck and training as a general practitioner, Dr Gartner specialised in holistic medicine, nutritional medicine, acupuncture and hypnotherapy and has been practising diagnostics and therapy according to Dr F. X. Mayr with great success ever since. He is also a sought-after speaker at specialist conferences and has been sharing his knowledge on the Park Igls blog for many years.
Park Igls Blog
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Details on Modern Mayr Medicine and its benefits for your health can be found on our website.