# Medically Supervised Fasting in Potsdam & Berlin | Praxis Gite

> Therapeutic fasting under medical supervision near Berlin: pre-fasting examination, blood monitoring and personal support from a physician – from preparation to refeeding.

Quelle / Source: https://praxis-gite.de/en/services/medically-supervised-fasting/

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# Medically Supervised Fasting in Potsdam

**Medically supervised fasting** means you do not fast alone: you fast under the care of a physician – with a thorough pre-fasting examination, blood tests before, during, and after the fasting period, and a doctor who accompanies you through every phase. That is what separates medically responsible fasting from apps, books, and going it alone: whether fasting is right for you is something we decide together, based on your medical history and your blood values – not a one-size-fits-all programme.

## Why fasting belongs under medical supervision

Fasting is a deep intervention in your metabolism. Within a few days the body switches from dietary energy to its own reserves – well tolerated by many people, but it changes circulation, electrolyte balance, and the effect of several medications. Medical supervision concretely means:

-   **A consultation and examination** before your first fasting day – including the question of whether fasting is currently appropriate for you at all
-   **Laboratory diagnostics** before and after the fast, and during longer fasting periods
-   **Adjustment of your medication**, coordinated with your treating physicians where necessary
-   **Availability during the fasting days** if questions or symptoms arise
-   **Structured refeeding days** – returning to food is where unsupervised fasting attempts most commonly fail

## How does the programme work?

1.  **Initial consultation and examination** – medical history, physical examination, blood draw. We discuss your goals and choose the right fasting method.
2.  **Preparation** – transition days with light meals, practical planning of your fasting week, clear agreements on medication.
3.  **Fasting days** – usually 5 to 10 days depending on method and tolerance, with scheduled check-ins and medical availability.
4.  **Refeeding** – the step-by-step return to eating, supported and with a concrete plan.
5.  **Follow-up** – control labs, a review of results, and the question: what do you carry from the fast into everyday life?

## Who is fasting suitable for – and who should not fast?

Fasting can be appropriate for healthy adults, and – after individual medical assessment – for people with certain chronic conditions such as elevated blood pressure, metabolic disorders, or rheumatic complaints. There are clear limits: fasting is not suitable for people who are underweight, have an eating disorder, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or live with a number of other conditions. That is exactly what the pre-examination is for – and sometimes its honest result is: not now, or not in this form. That, too, is responsible fasting medicine. With inflammatory rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, the fasting question belongs in the wider context of [support for autoimmune conditions](/en/services/autoimmune-conditions/) – fasting does not replace disease-modifying therapy there.

## Buchinger fasting or intermittent fasting – which one fits you?

Therapeutic fasting after Buchinger is a fasting period of several days under medical supervision; intermittent fasting is a lasting eating rhythm for everyday life.

-   **Therapeutic fasting (Buchinger method)** – the classic approach with vegetable broth, juices, and plenty of fluids
-   **Intermittent fasting** – as a sustainable everyday practice, with medical guidance on which schedule fits your life
-   **Modified fasting** – when a full fast is not an option, e.g. with adjusted protein intake

## What does it cost?

Fees follow the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ) and depend on the programme’s actual scope – duration, laboratory work, and number of check-ins. You receive a written cost overview before starting. German private insurance and Beihilfe typically reimburse physician services depending on your plan; internationally insured and self-paying patients are welcome. Details on [fees & reimbursement](/en/fees/).

**Interested in this service?**  
Do get in touch. I will answer your questions and we will find an appointment that fits your concern.

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