Fasting Stays: Scam or Not?

Today, there are few fasting stays where one drinks only water for one or two weeks, or even more. A few serious incidents have cast a chill on this type of “hygienic” fast.

On the other hand, those who promote a more “gentle” method, such as Buchinger – named after the German doctor who popularized it more than 100 years ago – are booming. They last 6 or 7 days, in groups of around ten people, with an intake of less than 250 calories/dayin the form of fresh fruit and/or vegetable juice, broths, with water and herbal teas at will.

Most stays offer more or less the same protocol.

A “ food descent » to do at home is recommended the week before. This basically involves eliminating alcohol and stimulants (coffee, tea) and gradually reducing animal proteins, then starches, cereals and dairy products, until you only eat raw or cooked vegetables and fruit for the last two days.

When getting up: we start with a “ body awakening »: stretching, gentle gym, yoga… Then a fresh fruit or vegetable juice. Then 2 to 4 hours of hiking.

• Free afternoon : napreading, swimming or other activities, which vary depending on the centers: meditationstretching, body care, naturopathy consultation, sophrology… Some are included in the package, others are extra;
• Around 6/7 p.m. : vegetable broth, followed by other activities for those who want them, such as “chats” between fasters, conferences most often focused on fasting and its benefits, and more generally on nutrition and healthy living.

A “ food rise » is recommended once at home, for at least a week, on the reverse model of the “descent”.

Feelings of hunger, headaches, fatigue, bad breath, sleep disturbances are most often reported, but they usually fade away within 2 to 4 days.

The list is long, and although there may be variations from center to center, some benefits often come back:

• Cellular repair and renewal;
• Detoxification of the body;
• Restoration of tired vital functions;
• Restoration and strengthening of the immune system ;
• Weightloss ;
• Improvement of joint pain ;
• Rejuvenation;
• Decreased inflammation;
• Rebalancing the intestinal flora…

On a psychological level, There is often talk of improved mood, increased mental clarity, newfound inner peace… Some centers venture to say that a fasting stay can soothe depression, break with addictions, improve fertility, asthma, allergies, cholesterol, high blood pressure or even diabetes.

To support their arguments, the centers most often rely on studies carried out on cells or animals.

A few clinical studies have nevertheless been conducted, including one conducted at the Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic in Germany (published in 2019 in PLOS One). The 659 people who fasted for an average of 5.4 days lost (on average) 3.2 kg and 4.6 cm in waist circumference. Their blood pressure decreased and they reported an improvement in their physical and mental well-being.

Results generally confirmed by a Chinese study including 2,054 participants (ObesityJune 2023). “From the moment we spend more than calories that we consume it through physical activities, it is obvious that we will losing weightand probably more at the level of fat mass because it has been shown that fasting mobilizes fat reserves,” explains Dr. Raynard.

In the absence of rigorous studies, impossible to confirm or deny them.

Probably as for improved mood, often reported in testimonies. “The natural setting, the group dynamics, the putting aside of family, professional or domestic over-solicitations, the fact of being more attentive to oneself and one’s feelings, of practicing a more regular and sustained physical activity certainly contribute to it”, considers Dr. Rouillier.

We don’t know, sincethere are no follow-up studies to assess the sustainability of any benefits. “We can nevertheless assume that if, at the end of the stay, we adopt or we maintain good hygiene and dietary habits by limiting sugars, fats ultra-processed foods, the alcohol, salt and by increasing fruits, vegetables and physical activity, we will reduce our risk of developing many metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and even certain cancers,” believes Dr. Raynard.

But certainly not if, the rest of the year, we do not pay attention to our lifestyle. What poses a problem, according to Dr. Cécile Bétry, nutritionist, is that possible medium or long term risks are not mentioned on the sites: “in particular that of inducing or accentuating an eating disorder, especially in vulnerable people seeking solutions to health problems”.

Furthermore, we know that THE low calorie diets are not effective.

“Regardless of weight, height and gender, the body can adapt to change its metabolism in a situation of caloric restriction,” specifies Dr. Bétry. “Which does not exclude a potential negative impact, even on a short-term fast. And The longer the fast, the greater the health risk.especially beyond 2-3 weeks, a threat of vitamin deficiencies with risk of irreversible neurological after-effects and death”.

Regarding the combination of fasting and physical activity, remember that these stays offer gentle hikes compatible with fasting. “The first 2 or 3 days, it is normal to feel minor discomforts that caregivers are supposed to be able to handle,” says Dr. Raynard. “But if they persist, or that you feel an increasing loss of muscle strength over the days, it is better break the fast “.

Among them: thinness, type 1 diabetes, pregnancy and breastfeeding, kidney failure, autoimmune disease, cancer, etc.

Moreover, medication may pose a problem: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, antiepileptics, anticoagulants, psychotropic drugs. There is no question of stopping your treatment: you must discuss it with your doctor.

What criteria before booking? That the site does not present fasting as being able to prevent or cure an illness! That it does not denigrate conventional medicine. That the center is part of a network because the supervisors have been trained in supporting fasting (Fédération francophone faim et randonnée, Jeûne & Bien-Être, Eco-Jeûne, etc.).

It all depends on the center, the place, the period, the type of accommodation. For France, from €500 to over €2,000 for 6 days/7 nights. Prices are soaring in some establishments, such as Buchinger centres in Germany or Spain, where you have to pay at least €4,000 per person.