Fasting for body and mind

Vera Klingbeil, medically certified fasting leader, answers the most important questions about alkaline fasting and fasting at Easter. And we clarify how fasting can cleanse the body and mind.

Tolfioow.com: How many times a year can or should you fast?
Vera Klingbeil: It’s good to fast once or twice a year for about a week.

How long does a classic fasting cure last?
Between five and ten days, including relief and set-up days.

How does such a fasting cure work?
A typical fasting week according to the Buchinger / Lützner method lasts five days. After a day of relief and “believers”, the fasting person feeds on fruit and vegetable juices, herbal tea and vegetable broth. You should also drink two to three liters of water and tea. In addition, fasting-accompanying measures such as liver wraps, regular bowel movements, lots of exercise in the fresh air and sufficient rest periods are important. Fasting in a group has proven useful for first-time fasters.

Vera Klingbeil, medically certified head of fasting at the German Fasting Academy, explains the principles of fasting in an interview with Tolfioow.com.
Should a doctor accompany this time?
Any healthy person between the ages of 15 and 65 can fast without medical supervision. If there are any doubts, the family doctor can of course be consulted.What are the benefits of fasting?
Preventive fasting can have a preventive effect on so-called civilization diseases such as gout, rheumatism and diabetes. Fasting also helps with high blood pressure, elevated liver values, obesity, allergies and skin diseases, and to cope with stress.Is it also good for weight loss?
Fasting weight loss is the added cherry on top. The changeover to new eating and lifestyle habits is made easier, so that long-term weight reduction or maintenance of normal weight can be achieved.Can a yo-yo effect be expected afterwards?
If the fasting person moves too little and the basal metabolic rate drops, the diet is not carefully and consciously built up and a new lifestyle is not practiced, a yo-yo effect can also occur after the fast.

Fasting in Berlin: A week of supervised fasting in Berlin-Zehlendorf is offered by the medically certified fasting leader and diaconal nurse Vera Klingbeil at the Diaconal Education Center (Van Delden House, Berlin) in summer and autumn. The course runs from July 20th to 26th or from September 28th to October 4th, 2013. Participation fee per course 249 euros (incl. seminar costs and fasting meals). Accommodation and travel expenses are not included in the price. 

How can I avoid a possible deficiency of vitamins and nutrients?
Good fruit and vegetable juices provide the body with sufficient vitamins and minerals. In addition, everyone has sufficient reserves to be fully nourished for Lent.

Are there different ways of fasting?
The actual definition of fasting is: “Fasting is the conscious, voluntary, temporary abstinence from solid food”. Fasting according to Buchinger / Lützner is one of the most recognized forms and also well researched. Other fasting methods include total water and tea fasting and the whey drinking regimen.

What is traditionally avoided during Easter Lent?
The root of the word fasting comes from the old gothic “fastan”, which means sticking to rules. In this sense, certain foods such as meat, sweets or alcohol are often avoided during religious fasting periods.
Newer approaches encourage people to reduce their television or internet consumption or regularly do something useful, such as cycling to work or writing down in the evening what they were grateful for during the day. There are no limits to the ideas.

What is the difference between alkaline fasting and religious fasting before Easter?
In general, fasting can always be seen in three dimensions. This includes the spiritual-religious dimension (e.g. opening up to experience in this area), the human-psychosocial dimension (e.g. dealing with oneself and others, becoming mindful) and the medical-physical dimension (e.g. detoxification, weight reduction).
Base fasting and also the forms of Easter fasting are not fasting in the narrower sense of the actual definition, but only a waiver. Base fasting is misleadingly named with the term fasting, but is actually just a strict diet that seems easier to carry out for some people.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top