Otto Buchinger – physician and pioneer of therapeutic fasting
As the son of a civil servant, the young man followed Otto Buchinger I initially followed his father's wishes for him to study law. However, his passion for medicine soon led him to his true calling. He changed his field of study and earned his doctorate at the University of Giessen. He then worked as a military physician in the Imperial Navy.
But as is often the case in life, everything suddenly changed for Buchinger – a severe case of tonsillitis and its resulting health problems cost him his job. He suffered from severe rheumatism in his joints, which could not be treated with the methods available at the time.
After two years, Buchinger decided to abandon his established methods and seek answers outside of conventional medicine. He ended up with a doctor friend and, under his supervision, completed a three-week fasting cure. And lo and behold: abstaining from solid food and consciously engaging with his own body led to a reduction in his symptoms – and thus to the birth of [the concept/method]. Buchinger fasting .
Driven by his own success, Otto Buchinger I studied everything there was to know about therapeutic fasting and opened his own clinic in 1920 to share his knowledge with others. By linking mental and physical health, he created a holistic approach that is still practiced today – including by the fourth generation in the [region/country]. Buchinger Clinic.
What are the distinguishing features of Buchinger fasting?
The Fasting according to Buchinger It encompasses far more than simply abstaining from solid food. It focuses not only on the body, but also on mind and soul, which are meant to find peace during the fasting period. Buchinger therefore also referred to therapeutic fasting as a "diet of the soul." The goal of Buchinger fasting is to trigger the body's own self-cleansing processes and thus activate its healing powers.
Otto Buchinger I already used this method to treat numerous health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and gout. Even today, therapeutic fasting remains a popular tool for pausing and cleansing body, mind, and soul.
How does Buchinger fasting work?
Unlike total fasting, the Buchinger fasting method involves consuming approximately 200 to 300 calories daily through vegetable broth, fresh and cold-pressed juices , and teas. Solid food is completely avoided. This method is therefore also known as a low-calorie liquid diet. Fasting duration The fasting period traditionally lasts between two and four weeks. Generally, Buchinger fasting is practiced in... three phases categorized, which are also part of our Body & Mind fasting program:
1. Preparation
In the Relief days The body is prepared for therapeutic fasting. A light diet reduces calorie intake, gradually altering the metabolism. At I·DO, we use four carefully selected juices for one day to achieve this. Raw food quality . Finally, the stomach is completely emptied, which, according to Buchinger's method, is traditionally done with Glauber's salt.
2nd fasting phase
From now on, only water, tea, organic vegetable broth, and fresh juices will be consumed daily. The digestive tract will calm down, the body will change its metabolism, and begin to... Ketosis is a state in which fat reserves are used for energy production. To relieve the burden on the intestines, regular bowel movements are performed during extended fasting periods.
Otto Buchinger was keen to ensure that during the Fasting phase Paying attention to your mental well-being is also important. Exercise in the fresh air, self-care sessions, and mindful workouts like yoga are expressly encouraged during Buchinger fasting. Physical activity helps clear your mind and also prevents the body from drawing too much protein from the muscles.
To support the mental aspect of the treatment, our Body & Mind fasting package is equipped with beneficial extras, such as alkaline bath salts, a dry brush and a Redondo ball.
Tip: During the first few days of a therapeutic fast, mild side effects such as headaches and dizziness may occur. These usually subside quickly – and you'll experience a fasting high!
3. Breaking the fast
Otto Buchinger I celebrated the end of the fast – the so-called breaking of the fast – in his clinic by handing out an apple. In the following Setup days The body is gradually reintroduced to solid food. Calories should be increased gradually: approximately 800 kcal on the first day, about 1,000 kcal on the second, then 1,200 kcal, and around 1,600 kcal on the fourth day. The body gradually begins to derive energy from the available carbohydrates again and ends ketosis.
By the way: Easily digestible raw food is the optimal choice for breaking a fast, which is why we are once again relying on the energy boost from fresh juices for our Body & Mind fasting program.
What are the benefits of the Buchinger fasting cure?
Buchinger himself was convinced that his fasting method could alleviate numerous health problems. Both physical ailments such as obesity, high blood pressure, and migraines, as well as mental illnesses, are still treated according to his principles today.
According to the German Nutrition Society According to the German Nutrition Society (DGE), there are scientifically proven effects of therapeutic fasting for certain conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, chronic inflammation, and psychosomatic illnesses. However, the overall data on its effectiveness is quite limited, which is why the success of fasting cannot be guaranteed and always depends on the individual case.
For healthy individuals, Buchinger fasting is highly recommended as a starting point for a more conscious lifestyle. Through conscious abstinence and mindful attention to body and mind, self-awareness and consciousness of one's own (eating) habits are cultivated. In this way, the therapeutic fasting cure serves as an energizing restart.
Who is Buchinger fasting suitable for?
Traditional therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger is used both for health prevention and for the treatment of certain illnesses. The fasting regimen is usually supervised by a doctor or carried out in a fasting clinic. This ensures that the method meets the patient's needs and is performed correctly. Therefore, anyone wishing to combat health problems with therapeutic fasting should definitely consult an expert.
To bring body, mind, and soul into balance, healthy individuals can undertake a fasting cure on their own. However, even here, one shouldn't simply abstain from solid food overnight. Special fasting packages, such as our Body & Mind Cure, make starting and completing the fast significantly easier.
