Dr. Daniel S. F. Boarim, MD
Lapinha SPA, Lapa, PR Brazil
Quando os seres humanos viviam em ambientes em que a comida era relativamente escassa, seu organismo aperfeiçoou mecanismos metabólicos que deveriam funcionar com o máximo de eficiência. Por isso desenvolvemos um genótipo poupador. Poupador e estocador de energia para os tempos de escassez, sazonais nos tempos primitivos.
Hoje, no mundo industrializado, há comida demais o tempo todo, com excedente de calorias. Por isso nosso ambiente tornou-se intensamente obesogênico. Pior que isso, o padrão alimentar ocidental é, reconhecidamente, um caldo de cultura ideal para a quase totalidade das doenças crônicas.
Em geral comemos demais, em várias refeições. Comemos errado e com frequência exagerada. Virou até tradição ensinar que precisamos comer de três em três horas, até 6 refeições ao dia, ensinamento que, embora tenha se tornado tradicional até nos meios acadêmicos, carece de base científica!
A MAYR PREVENT preconiza um período de repouso metabólico caracterizado por jejum assistido sem desnutrição, catarse intestinal monitorada e reeducação do estilo de vida, o que na prática clínica vem contribuindo de modo animador para mudanças sustentáveis, como reordenamento alimentar, que envolve aspectos quantitativos, qualitativos, modais e fracionais. Em outras palavras, a MAYR PREVENT vem contribuindo para melhora geral da saúde e prevenção de doenças que envolvem fatores modificáveis do estilo de vida. E isso representa a maior parte das doenças que hoje superlotam nossos hospitais. Certamente, um benefício considerável para a nossa qualidade de vida, e que mereceria mais atenção dos pesquisadores e médicos.
Outro aspecto a pontuar aqui é a relação entre o jejum fisiológico cíclico e a microbiota do intestino, cujo equilíbrio previne a inflamação crônica de baixo grau, fortemente associada às doenças crônicas. Essa é, sem dúvida, mais um componente dessa complexa equação que ajuda a explicar, com sólida base científica, os notáveis benefícios clínicos obtidos pela MAYR PREVENT. Em outra publicação, pretendemos abordar especificamente o badalado tema da microbiota do intestino (Matias Perez D. et al, 2022).
O jejum intermitente desafia o metabolismo e aumenta nossa resistência a doenças
Quando mudamos nosso hábito, diminuímos as calorias e adotamos um programa sensato de jejum intermitente fisiológico, sem desnutrição, que ajuda a regular os ciclos alimentação-jejum e sono-vigília, colocando nosso metabolismo de novo “nos eixos”, finalmente desafiando mente e corpo a voltarem ao peso normal e à saúde ideal. E isso é feito com louvor pela MAYR PREVENT.
Explicando melhor, todos os organismos, inclusive o nosso, estão programados para desenvolver meios de autopreservação, tanto mentais como corporais, que funcionem cada vez com mais eficiência. E o jejum é um desafio que, de acordo com as pesquisas, parece aperfeiçoar esses meios de autopreservação.
Podemos afirmar hoje, a partir de numerosos estudos, que o jejum intermintente desafia o cérebro e os vários sistemas de controle nutroneurometabólicos, que respondem adaptativamente às condições “adversas” (o nome técnico disso é HORMESE), melhorando as habilidades do indivíduo e otimizando o desempenho de suas funções, o que aumenta a resiliência ao estresse e às doenças (Mattson et al., 2017).
MAYR PREVENT – um programa assistido de jejum intermitente
A MAYR PREVENT é, sem dúvida, um tipo de jejum intermitente, pois não só diminui as calorias totais por um período de 2 a 3 semanas, mas também as variedades de alimento nas refeições, e diminui o período de alimentação diurna, com jejum entre a primeira e última refeção que pode ir de 14 a 16 horas, conforme o plano alimentar. E é exatamente essa a práxis do jejum intermitente (Mattson et al., 2017).
Por falar em 3 semanas de jejum intermitente, estudos revelaram que esse período intensivo de três a quatro semanas parecia adequado, em modelos experimentais, para otimizar os marcadores metabólicos de saúde, ao passo que períodos muito longos podem ser deletérios (Cerqueira et al., 2011). Interessantemente, o Dr Mayr recomendava a princípio períodos de 3 semanas de dieta, que hoje sabemos ser adequado inclusive para propiciar mudanças sustentáveis no microbioma intestinal.
Estudos recentes também pontuam que, a mudança do microbioma intestinal é uma das principais bases do benefício sistêmico do jejum intermitente em muitas doenças, como a esclerose múltipla (Cignarella F et al, 2018).
A moral da história é que, prolongar o jejum por tempo excessivo, ou não dar tempo suficiente para a natureza agir através das suas vias de sinalização metabólica, resultam em resultados falhos. E excesso de restrição para pessoas idosas e debilitadas, pode gerar desnutrição e sintomas de má adaptação, além de favorecer perda de massa muscular.
Quando, porém, adequadamente indicado e conduzido, o jejum intermitente conta com numerosos estudos científicos que apóiam seus benefícios.
A Mayr Kur é, documentadamente, uma das modalidades de jejum intermitente mais praticadas e aprimoradas na atualidade, contando com numerosas clínicas médicas na Europa e outras partes do mundo (no Brasil, a Lapinha) que o aplicam com criterioso acompanhamento médico, e individualização de conduta.
Quais os benefícios do jejum intermitente?
Nos estudos científicos, os diferentes tipos de jejum intermitente apresentaram efeitos benéficos sobre vários indicadores de saúde em animais experimentais, e também em humanos (Anton SD et al., 2018).
Foram documentados benefícios significativos em doenças relacionadas com a idade, como diabetes, males cardiovasculares, hipertensão arterial, Parkinson, Alzheimer, esclerose múltipla, obesidade, entre muitas outras patologias (Mattson et al, 2017, Jeong JH et al 2018, Mc Carty MF, 2015).
Entre os indicadores fisiológicos de saúde que apresentam nítida melhora como resultado do jejum intermitente, tanto em modelos animais como em humanos, podemos destacar:
- Os níveis de insulina e leptina diminuem, e isso acontece paralelamente ao aumento da sensibilidade a ambos os hormônios;
- A gordura corporal diminui;
- Os níveis de cetona aumentam;
- A freqüência cardíaca e a pressão arterial de repouso diminuem, e a variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca aumenta (resultante do aumento do tonus parassimpático), que é um indicador de saúde cardiovascular;
- A inflamação sistêmica diminui, provavelmente via mudança da microbiota intestinal para um padrão mais simbiôntico;
- O cérebro e o coração ficam mais resistentes ao estresse (por exemplo, verificou-se uma redução do dano tecidual e uma melhoria do resultado funcional após acidente vascular cerebral e infarto do miocárdio);
- Maior resistência ao diabetes;
- O início e a progressão da disfunção e degeneração neuronal em modelos animais são retardados, o que melhora o prognóstico das doenças de Alzheimer, Parkinson e Huntington nesses modelos experimentais.
Hoje há vários estudos estão começando a desvendar os mecanismos celulares e moleculares pelos quais o jejum aumenta a resistência das células, tecidos e órgãos ao estresse e às doenças comuns, associadas ao envelhecimento e a estilos de vida sedentários e exagerados.
Os resultados de estudos em humanos, nos quais vários indicadores de saúde são medidos no início e após o jejum, sugerem que o jejum intermitente pode proteger contra a síndrome metabólica e os vários distúrbios associados, incluindo diabetes e doença cardiovascular.
Estudos sobre o pacientes com câncer (Safdie et al., 2009) e esclerose múltipla (Choi et al., 2016) produziram resultados muito promissores. Tudo isso constitui forte razão para avançar com testes clínicos mais amplos em pacientes com desordens relacionadas a cronicidade e à obesidade.
Qual é o mecanismo pelo qual o jejum intermitente melhora a saúde e combate a doença?
Os estudos científicos estão revelando mais e mais rotas ativadas e/ou inibidas pelo jejum, que ajudam a entender o porquê dos benefícios. De modo simplificado, são ativadas numerosas vias de sinalização adaptativas de resposta ao estresse celular, que levam a três resultados finais:
- Aumentam a capacidade mitocondrial de produzir energia,
- Reparam o DNA e
- Promovem a autofagia (que leva à renovação da célula, em vez de sua morte por apoptose).
O jejum intermitente também promove a regeneração de células tronco e produz efeitos metabólicos de longa duração, além de notáveis ações neuroprotetoras (Mattson et al, 2018).
Nossos sistemas metabólico, endócrino e nervoso apresentam altos níveis de desempenho físico e mental quando no estado de jejum assistido, em condições adequadas. Estudos de animais de laboratório ajudaram a explicar os mecanismos celulares e moleculares pelos quais os indivíduos respondem ao jejum de maneiras que podem aumentar sua aptidão geral, sua resistência a lesões e a uma grande variedade de doenças (Longo and Matson, 2014).
A maioria dos ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados em humanos envolveram uma restrição de energia de 60 e 75% (500-800 kcal) em dias alternados ou em dois dias consecutivos por semana. Embora os resultados possam diferir quantitativamente, dependendo do padrão de jejum intermitente, todos os regimes resultaram em alterações metabólicas semelhantes (Johnson et al., 2007; Wan et al., 2010), a saber:
- Manutenção dos níveis de glicose no sangue na faixa normal baixa;
- Depleção ou redução de estoques de glicogênio;
- Mobilização de ácidos graxos e geração de cetonas (fatore de neuroproteção);
- Redução da leptina circulante (e isso previne o câncer);
- Muitas vezes, elevação dos níveis de adiponectina (“hormônio do bem” produzido quando o tecido adiposo está nas proporções adequadas);
- Elevação do BDNF ou fator neurotrópico derivado do cérebro (fator de proteção e regeneração do sistema nervoso).
Alterações comportamentais que ocorrem durante o período de jejum incluem maior alerta ou excitação, e aumento da acuidade mental (Fond et al., 2013).Tanto a mudança metabólica para a utilização de cetona, quanto respostas do cérebro e do sistema nervoso autônomo à privação, desempenham papéis importantes na promoção da saúde e resistência à doença.
Em ratos hiperfágicos (“gulosos”) e obesos, o jejum intermitente inverte a tendência de resistência à insulina, reduzindo os níveis circulantes de insulina e leptina (Duan et al., 2003a). Isso é ótimo na prevenção das complicações da obesidade, principalmente o diabetes e o câncer.
Relação entre câncer e obesidade, e o papel preventivo do jejum intermitente
O controle do peso reduz o risco de incidência de treze tipos de câncer que têm sido associados à obesidade (Renehan et al., 2008, WCRF, 2014; Goodwin et al., 2015). Evidências de que o jejum intermitente pode reduzir o risco de câncer vêm de seus efeitos sobre vários biomarcadores de risco de câncer, como insulina, citocinas, moléculas relacionadas à inflamação, leptina e adiponectina, relacionados à adiposidade e ingestão excessiva de energia (Hursting et al., 2012; Wei et al., 2016).
Reduções em um hormônio que estimula o crescimento celular chamado IGF-1 (redução de 15%) foram reportadas em indivíduos normais e com sobrepeso que tinham seguido o jejum intermitente de uma dieta baixa em proteínas e baixa energia, por tempo limitado (0,25 g proteína/kg peso, 34-54% do normal ingestão de energia) (Brandhorst et al., 2015). Os efeitos do jejum intermitente em relação à resistência à insulina e risco de diabetes podem ter um importante papel na proteção contra cânceres relacionados à obesidade (Goodwin et al., 2015).
A leptina, produzida pelo tecido adiposo, está relacionada à progressão do câncer. A principal função da leptina é regular o balanço de energia. No entanto, indivíduos obesos rotineiramente desenvolvem resistência à leptina, resultando no acúmulo desse hormônio. Portanto, os níveis de leptina são muitas vezes cronicamente elevados na obesidade humana. Níveis elevados de leptina estão relacionados a maior incidência, maior progressão e pior prognóstico de vários cânceres humanos.
Além do tecido adiposo, as células cancerosas também podem secretar leptina e superexpressar os receptores de leptina. Sabe-se que a leptina atua como um factor mitogênico (faz o câncer crescer), inflamatório e pró-angiogênico (aumenta a nutrição do tumor), que induz a proliferação de células cancerígenas e a angiogênese tumoral. Além disso, a sinalização da leptina induz as células-tronco cancerígenas, que estão envolvidas na recorrência do câncer e na resistência aos medicamentos (LIpsey CC et al, 2016).
Conclusão
Estamos vivenciando um momento memorável de grandes e novas revelações científicas sobre velhos axiomas médicos. O jejum como instrumento de cura é tão antigo como a humanidade.
Mas a medicina contemporânea preferiu por muito tempo ignorar esse marco da sabedoria milenar, até que uma avalanche de estudos científicos – especialmente após o prêmio nobel de medicina Dr Yoshinuri Oshumi, – reuniram evidências contundentes sobre a validade desse método já testado e aprovado desde tempos imemoriais. Aqui só apresento uma amostra muito pequena de trabalhos científicos sobre o assunto, que hoje se contabilizam às centenas.
A MAYR PREVENT, como técnica de jejum assistido e individualizado, atende bem aos atuais reclamos da prática médica, oportunizando, pela primeira vez em séculos, no universo da cura pelo jejum, um salutar diálogo entre o saber ancestral e a academia contemporânea.
Por que não começarmos a introduzir, com bom senso e segurança, a cultura do jejum intermitente em nosso plano pessoal de saúde, com vistas à longevidade e qualidade de vida? Desde que aplicado com sensatez, equilíbrio e não haja contra-indicação, não há motivo para duvidar dos benefícios que podemos auferir.
A Lapinha, que há q 50 anos trabalha com várias modalidades de jejum, com ênfase à MAYR PREVENT, reúne uma casuística cada vez mais robusta de centenas de pacientes que experimentaram e continuam experimentando de modo inequívoco os benefícios que a ciência hoje atribui ao jejum intermitente e á melhora da microbiota do intestino.
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ENGLISH
MAYR PREVENT AND INTERMITTENT FASTING
Dr. Daniel S.F. Boarim, MD
Lapinha clinic and medical SPA,
Lapa, PR Brazil
Abstract
When humans lived in environments where food was relatively scarce, their bodies perfected metabolic mechanisms that were supposed to function at maximum efficiency. That’s why we developed a thrifty genotype. Energy saver and storer for times of scarcity, seasonal in primitive times.
Today, in the industrialized world, there is too much food all the time, with excess calories. So our environment has become intensely obesogenic. Worse than that, the Western dietary pattern is, admittedly, an ideal breeding ground for almost all chronic diseases.
We usually eat too much at several meals. We eat wrong and too often. It has even become a tradition to teach that we need to eat every three hours, up to 6 meals a day, a teaching that, although it has become traditional even in academic circles, lacks a scientific basis!
MAYR PREVENT advocates a period of metabolic rest characterized by assisted fasting without malnutrition, monitored intestinal catharsis and lifestyle reeducation, which in clinical practice has been encouragingly contributing to sustainable changes, such as dietary reordering, which involves quantitative and qualitative aspects , modal and fractional. In other words, MAYR PREVENT has contributed to the general improvement of health and the prevention of diseases that involve modifiable lifestyle factors. And that accounts for most of the diseases that overcrowd our hospitals today. Certainly, a considerable benefit for our quality of life, and one that would deserve more attention from researchers and physicians.
Another aspect to point out here is the relationship between cyclic physiological fasting and the gut microbiota, whose balance prevents low-grade chronic inflammation, strongly associated with chronic diseases. This is, without a doubt, another component of this complex equation that helps to explain, with solid scientific basis, the remarkable clinical benefits obtained by MAYR PREVENT. In another publication, we intend to specifically address the popular topic of the gut microbiota.
Intermittent fasting challenges metabolism and increases our resistance to disease
When we change our habit, we cut calories and adopt a sensible program of physiological intermittent fasting, without malnutrition, that helps regulate the food-fasting and sleep-wake cycles, putting our metabolism back on track, finally challenging mind and body. return to normal weight and ideal health. And this is done with honor by MAYR PREVENT.
To put it better, all organisms, including ours, are programmed to develop means of self-preservation, both mental and bodily, that work more and more efficiently. And fasting is a challenge that, according to research, appears to enhance these means of self-preservation.
We can state today, from numerous studies, that intermittent fasting challenges the brain and the various nutroneurometabolic control systems, which adaptively respond to “adverse” conditions (the technical name for this is HORMESE), improving the individual’s abilities and optimizing the performance of their functions, which increases resilience to stress and illness (Mattson et al., 2017).
MAYR PREVENT – an assisted intermittent fasting program
MAYR PREVENT is a modality of intermittent fasting, as it not only decreases total calories for a period of 2 to 3 weeks, but also food varieties at meals, and decreases the daytime eating period, with fasting between the first and last meal, which can last from 14 to 16 hours, depending on the meal plan. And this is exactly the practice of intermittent fasting (Mattson et al., 2017).
Speaking of 3 weeks of intermittent fasting, studies have revealed that this intensive period of three to four weeks seemed adequate, in experimental models, to optimize metabolic markers of health, whereas very long periods can be deleterious (Cerqueira et al., 2011). Interestingly, Dr Mayr initially recommended periods of 3 weeks of diet, which we now know to be adequate even to provide sustainable changes in the gut microbiome.
Recent studies also point out that changing the gut microbiome is one of the main bases of the systemic benefit of intermittent fasting and caloric restriction in many diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (Cignarella F et al, 2018, Di Giosia P et al, 2022).
The moral of the story is that prolonging the fast for too long, or not giving nature enough time to work through its metabolic signaling pathways, results in flawed results. And excess restriction for elderly and debilitated people can generate malnutrition and symptoms of poor adaptation, in addition to favoring loss of muscle mass.
However, when properly indicated and conducted, intermittent fasting has numerous scientific studies that support its benefits.
Mayr Kur is documented as one of the most practiced and improved forms of intermittent fasting today, with numerous medical clinics in Europe and other parts of the world (in Brazil, Lapinha) that apply it with careful medical monitoring and individualization of conduct.
What are the benefits of intermittent fasting?
In scientific studies, different types of intermittent fasting have shown beneficial effects on various health indicators in experimental animals, as well as in humans (Anton SD et al., 2018).
Significant benefits have been documented in age-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, obesity, among many other pathologies (Mattson et al, 2017, Jeong JH et al 2018, Mc Carty MF, 2015).
Among the physiological health indicators that clearly improve as a result of intermittent fasting, both in animal and human models, we can highlight:
- Insulin and leptin levels decrease, and this happens in parallel with increased sensitivity to both hormones;
- Body fat decreases;
- Ketone levels increase;
- Resting heart rate and blood pressure decrease, and heart rate variability increases (resulting from increased parasympathetic tone), which is an indicator of cardiovascular health;
- Systemic inflammation subsides, probably via shift of the gut microbiota to a more symbiotic pattern;
- The brain and heart are more resistant to stress (eg, there has been a reduction in tissue damage and an improvement in functional outcome after stroke and myocardial infarction);
- Greater resistance to diabetes;
- The onset and progression of neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in animal models is delayed, which improves the prognosis of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases in these experimental models.
Today, several studies are beginning to unravel the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which fasting increases the resistance of cells, tissues and organs to stress and common diseases associated with aging and sedentary and exaggerated lifestyles.
Results from human studies, in which various health indicators are measured at the beginning and after fasting, suggest that intermittent fasting may protect against metabolic syndrome and the various associated disorders, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Studies on patients with cancer (Safdie et al., 2009) and multiple sclerosis (Choi et al., 2016) have produced very promising results. All this is a strong reason to move forward with broader clinical trials in patients with chronic and obesity-related disorders.
What is the mechanism by which intermittent fasting improves health and fights disease?
Scientific studies are revealing more and more pathways activated and/or inhibited by fasting, which help to understand why the benefits. Simply put, numerous adaptive signaling pathways in the cellular stress response are activated, leading to four end results:
- Increase the mitochondrial ability to produce energy,
- Optimizes the gut microbiota (Matias Perez D. et al, 2022).
- Repair DNA and
- Promote autophagy (which leads to cell renewal rather than death by apoptosis).
Intermittent fasting also promotes stem cell regeneration and produces long-lasting metabolic effects, as well as notable neuroprotective actions (Mattson et al, 2018).
Our metabolic, endocrine and nervous systems show high levels of physical and mental performance when in the state of assisted fasting, under appropriate conditions. Studies of laboratory animals have helped to explain the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which individuals respond to fasting in ways that can increase their overall fitness, their resistance to injury, and to a wide variety of diseases (Longo and Matson, 2014).
Most randomized controlled clinical trials in humans involved an energy restriction of 60 and 75% (500-800 kcal) on alternate days or two consecutive days per week. Although results may differ quantitatively depending on the intermittent fasting pattern, all regimens resulted in similar metabolic changes (Johnson et al., 2007; Wan et al., 2010), namely:
- Maintenance of blood glucose levels in the low normal range;
- Depletion or reduction of glycogen stores;
- Mobilization of fatty acids and generation of ketones (neuroprotection factor);
- Reduction of circulating leptin (and this prevents cancer);
- Often, elevation of adiponectin levels (“good hormone” produced when adipose tissue is in adequate proportions);
- Elevation of BDNF or brain-derived neurotropic factor (factor for protection and regeneration of the nervous system).
Behavioral changes that occur during the period of fasting include increased alertness or arousal, and increased mental acuity (Fond et al., 2013). Both the metabolic shift to ketone utilization and brain and autonomic nervous system responses to deprivation , play important roles in health promotion and disease resistance.
In hyperphagic (“greedy”) and obese rats, intermittent fasting reverses the trend toward insulin resistance by reducing circulating levels of insulin and leptin (Duan et al., 2003a). This is great in preventing the complications of obesity, especially diabetes and cancer.
Relationship between cancer and obesity, and the preventive role of intermittent fasting
Weight control reduces the risk of incidence of thirteen cancers that have been associated with obesity (Renehan et al., 2008, WCRF, 2014; Goodwin et al., 2015). Evidence that intermittent fasting can reduce cancer risk comes from its effects on several cancer risk biomarkers, such as insulin, cytokines, inflammation-related molecules, leptin and adiponectin, related to adiposity and excessive energy intake (Hursting et al. ., 2012; Wei et al., 2016).
Reductions in a hormone that stimulates cell growth called IGF-1 (15% reduction) were reported in normal and overweight individuals who had followed intermittent fasting on a low-protein, low-energy diet for a limited time (0.25 g protein/kg weight, 34-54% of normal energy intake) (Brandhorst et al., 2015). The effects of intermittent fasting on insulin resistance and diabetes risk may play an important role in protecting against obesity-related cancers (Goodwin et al., 2015).
Leptin, produced by adipose tissue, is linked to cancer progression. The main function of leptin is to regulate energy balance. However, obese individuals routinely develop leptin resistance, resulting in the accumulation of this hormone. Therefore, leptin levels are often chronically elevated in human obesity. Elevated levels of leptin are related to higher incidence, greater progression and worse prognosis of several human cancers.
In addition to adipose tissue, cancer cells can also secrete leptin and overexpress leptin receptors. It is known that leptin acts as a mitogenic (makes cancer grow), inflammatory and pro-angiogenic (increases tumor nutrition) factor, which induces cancer cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, leptin signaling induces cancer stem cells, which are involved in cancer recurrence and drug resistance (LIpsey CC et al, 2016).
Mayr experience at Lapinha Clinic
Lapinha has half a century of experience in assisted fasting without malnutrition, such as the Bircher Benner method, oriental detox (diet based on brown rice and vegetables), minimalist diets and, in the last two decades, Mayr Prevent. Over all these years we have accumulated knowledge following thousands of cases with encouraging results. Particularly at Mayr Prevent we have observed an adherence relatively easier than in other types of detoxifying plan, such as fruit diets and raw food plans, observing subjective and objective improvement (confirmed through laboratory tests) for several chronic diseases associated with factors of modifiable lifestyle.
Especially in diseases such as migraine, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, certain autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and metabolic syndrome, an improvement in symptoms and laboratory markers is notable. Our understanding is that, by promoting a modulation of the microbiota through adequate caloric restriction, healthy and organic foods, complete chewing and intermittent fasting, we reduce the level of systemic inflammation, which is the etiological basis of these diseases (Michel N et al 2022; Cantoni C et al, 2022; Al Bander Z et al 2020).
However it is very important to point out that when the patient satisfactorily adheres to the preparation, immersion and post-lapinha (transition) guidelines, making correct use of the indicated supplements, practicing complete mastication, not violating the food plan, respecting the eating- fasting cycle and also the sleep-wake cycle, there is a significant improvement in general health in the long term. We even observed a gradual gain in muscle mass after Mayr, which suggests better assimilation and nutritional metabolism, a likely result of a more symbiotic microbiome.
But it is necessary to remember that, for a patient who intends to treat a chronic pathology, more immersion time and continued attention is necessary, and that the adaptation to Mayr can lead to the so-called “healing crises”, when some symptoms may reappear, but usually in a mild and transient way. The “healing crisis” is a well-known event and indicates a catharsis, a mobilization of toxic disruptors, which happens not only in detoxifying food plans but in other complementary therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture (Mackereth PA, 1999).
If this moment in the health restoration process is well understood by the patient and well managed by the physician, with proper management of the diet, the treatment as a whole and the patient in a individualized way, we will be facing considerable chances of therapeutic success.
The healing crisis must be well managed by the doctor, who must carefully observe the limits of each patient, not exposing him to exaggeratedly restrictive diets, or the opposite, when necessary, minimizing varieties and calories, or increasing the fasting period. Caution is needed to ensure nutritional status on the one hand and on the other hand not to confuse an untimely worsening with a healing crisis. But fortunately, these events are rare. With good screening, preparation and guidance of patients, the management of the detoxification process has been increasingly efficient.
Another aspect of our experience that should be highlighted is that patients who do not understand the Mayr proposal, mistakenly considering it a simple weight loss diet or a trivial detox, join the program and end up not taking advantage of it. The Mayr plan certainly helps to lose weight and decrease abdominal circumference, which is very desirable for many people. And it can also aid in a shift from an obesogenic microbiota to a healthy microbiota, which will help with weight maintenance. But it should not be understood as like any other weight loss diet.
Yet another point to highlight in our experience is the fact that patients with eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and orthorexia sometimes come to plans like Mayr motivated by a psychically altered condition of self-awareness, which must obviously not be the motivation for join Mayr. That’s why Lapinha has been developing a process of prior election and guidance, before hospitalization, to help the patient always make the best choice and identify any possible contraindication. Pre-lapinha has proved to be an essential strategy for success, as it raises awareness of Mayr’s essential focus, among other health routes we offer, undoing inappropriate ideas and calibrating expectations. And when the patient is discharged, we have increasingly valued follow-up and programmed return as essential ingredients for success.
The results of this approach certainly invite us to devote more time and attention to Dr Mayr’s visionary proposal, who insisted that health and disease begin in the gut. And exactly what he said about a century ago is today a current and true statement.
Conclusion
The eating-fasting cycle is as physiological as the sleep-wake cycle. We need time to eat and not eat, which provides a “rest” for metabolism, a time of natural detoxification and stimulation of autophagy, resulting in optimized mitochondrial biogenesis, as many studies have shown. Physiological intermittent fasting is usually related to an overnight period of at least 12-14 hours without eating. But we can get additional benefits for monitored periods of a few weeks of reduced feeding and increased interprandial fasting time, in which catharsis and regeneration are promoted, as in the Mayr therapy. As simple as it seems to understand that proper fasting can be a physiological necessity, we live in a time marked by food exaggeration, haste and stress, and as a result, microbiota imbalance, obesity and many chronic diseases that massacre our quality of life. It’s time to review paradigms and understand that there is a simpler and more effective way to improve our health, our immunity and decongest our overcrowded hospitals. It is the way to return to a healthy lifestyle, which respects the cycles of nature and a vital balance between nutrition (that nothing is lacking in the diet) and detoxification (that nothing is left over in the diet), today misunderstood and actually lost.We are experiencing a memorable moment of great and new scientific revelations about old medical axioms. Fasting as a healing tool is as old as humanity.
But contemporary medicine preferred for a long time to ignore this milestone of ancient wisdom, until an avalanche of scientific studies – especially after the Nobel Prize in Medicine Dr Yoshinuri Oshumi, – gathered compelling evidence on the validity of this method already tested and approved since time immemorial. Here I only present a very small sample of scientific works on the subject, which today number in the hundreds.
MAYR PREVENT, as an assisted and individualized fasting technique, responds well to the current demands of medical practice, providing, for the first time in centuries, in the universe of fasting cure, a healthy dialogue between ancestral knowledge and contemporary academia.
Why not start introducing, with common sense and safety, the culture of intermittent fasting into our personal health plan, with a view to longevity and quality of life? As long as it is applied sensibly, balanced and there is no contraindication, there is no reason to doubt the benefits we can obtain.
Lapinha, which for 50 years has been working with various types of fasting, with emphasis on MAYR PREVENT, brings together an increasingly robust series of hundreds of patients who have experienced and continue to experience unequivocally the benefits that science today attributes to intermittent fasting. and improvement of the gut microbiota.
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