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?

Initial consultation and examination – medical history, physical examination, blood draw. We discuss your goals and choose the right fasting method.
Preparation – transition days with light meals, practical planning of your fasting week, clear agreements on medication.
Fasting days – usually 5 to 10 days depending on method and tolerance, with scheduled check-ins and medical availability.
Refeeding – the step-by-step return to eating, supported and with a concrete plan.
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 – 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.