The latest fashion to get back in shape is the fasting. The diets inspired by this model are many and are popular with VIPs. The supermodel Miranda Kerr and the actress Nicole Kidman these are just some of the stars who have experienced the benefits of Dr. Joseph Mercola's intermittent calorie restriction, who recommends that you skip one meal a day and keep your stomach free for at least 16 hours straight to lose weight.
Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck, Beyoncéinstead, they have followed in the past the fast diet conceived by Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer: two days a week at only 500 calories for women and 600 for men. Even in Il Paese there are many well-known personalities who rely on this strong method to recover the lost form. Recently, as reported in an article published by Corriere della Sera, Silvio Berlusconi and Maria Elena Boschi spent a short period at the Palace of Merano in which it is possible to undergo anti-aging therapies based on fruit juices and semi-fast days of the guru Henri Chenot. Because not eating (or eating little) according to some experts is not just a method to get rid of a few extra pounds, but a real therapeutic approach to regenerate body and mind and stay away from disease. A recently released book, The healing power of fasting (Mondadori, € 17), written by Raffaele and Michael Morelli, also speaks of the beneficial effects of this habit. But skipping meals is a divisive choice. Let's see what the most recent studies say and let's try to clarify.
According to these studies it is good for you
"Reducing calories sharply for a few days according to various researches activates mechanisms capable of resetting the metabolism and helping us not only lose weight", explains the doctor Valentina Schirò, a nutrition biologist specializing in food science in Palermo. When the body is starved, the Sirt genes (defined as thinness and responsible for cell repair and rejuvenation) accelerate their activity by tapping into fat reserves (thus losing weight) and increasing resistance to disease. But how many calories should we cut to "gain" years of health? «The studies we have conducted on humans in our laboratory in the United States say, for example, that those who reduce their energy intake by 20-30% have a heart similar to that of people younger than 15-20 years», Says Professor Luigi Fontana, one of the world's leading experts in nutrition and longevity. «Caloric restriction would favor the maintenance of high levels of HDL cholesterol and the reduction of the presence of inflammatory molecules and various hormones involved in the development of tumors. Finally, at the cellular level it would allow a high antioxidant capacity and an increased efficiency of the mechanisms for treating DNA damage. Unfortunately, however, we still do not know what the optimal number of calories to consume per day is. It likely varies from person to person. As for almost total fasting (which consists in eating, 2 or 3 times a week, only cooked or raw vegetables seasoned with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil) it is likely that it can have beneficial effects on health and slow down aging ", Fontana points out. In short: being a little hungry would do well. This is also demonstrated by a brand new research conducted by the Faculty of Pharmacology of the University of Campania and published in the journal Faber: a diet with very low intermittent caloric intake would reduce neuropathic pain and also favor the effectiveness of drug therapy.
According to these researches it is harmful
A recent study presented at the annual congress of the European Society of Endocrinology held in Barcelona is of different opinion: "According to the researchers, practicing intermittent fasting can make you lose pounds faster, but it would not benefit the metabolism and would accumulate fat in the abdominal area, increasing the production of insulin and, consequently, the risk of having type 2 diabetes », explains Dr. Schirò. And there is more. «According to the study Health effects of intermittent fasting: hormesis or harm? A systematic review, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, prolonged fasting would not counteract the aging process, on the contrary, it would favor oxidative stress that damages DNA ”, explains the nutritionist from Palermo.
It certainly isn't suitable for everyone
The issue therefore still needs to be explored, but one thing is certain. "Fasting is absolutely not good for pregnant or breastfeeding women, for children, for those suffering from more or less serious illnesses and for those who are following pharmacological treatments. In fact, it causes the production of ketone bodies (a consequence of the use of fats as a source of energy) which are responsible for hypotension and dehydration and can put the health of those suffering from diabetes at risk. In addition, it can cause a potassium deficiency which, if continued over time, can negatively affect the functioning of the heart. Also for this reason the medical support, in case you decide to fast, it is always fundamental, while do-it-yourself and improvisation are to be avoided », concludes the expert.
Where to try it safely
In recent years the number of facilities they offer has grown fasting-based remise en forme treatments. Among the most renowned, the Palace Hotel (palace) in Merano, South Tyrol, which offers a detox method based on infusions, water and vegetable broths under the guidance of the guru Henri Chenot. Also in Merano, the Hotel Adria (hotel-adria.com) offers a path under the guidance of experts dedicated to therapeutic fasting. It lasts 5 days, preceded by a detoxification day, and includes physical activity, massages and ad hoc treatments. In Veneto, however, in Abano Terme, the Hotel Bristol Buja (bristolbuja) recommends the Cura Mayr to its guests, a type of curative fasting widespread in Austria, Germany and the Nordic countries. It consists of a deep cleansing of the intestine through a liquid-only diet or a light meal plan to eliminate toxins, fight the signs of aging on skin and hair, improve memory and concentration skills.
