Effects of Periodic Religious Fasting for Decades on Nutrient Intakes and the Blood Biochemical Profile.

Anatoli Petridou,Petros Skepastianos,Sousana K Papadopoulou,Eleni Vasara,Anthony Kafatos,Vassilis Mougios,Maria Hassapidou,Alexandra-Aikaterini Koulouri,Nikolaos E Rodopaios

doi:10.3390/nu13113963

Anatoli Petridou, Petros Skepastianos + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113963

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine differences and correlations in nutrient intakes and serum parameters related to nutrient intake (lipid profile, vitamins, and trace elements) in 200 lifelong Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasters with periodic abstinence from certain foods (predominantly of animal origin) for approximately half of the year and 200 non-fasting controls, all of whom did not take dietary supplements. Nutrient intakes were assessed through three-day dietary recalls. Blood samples were drawn for the analysis of potential biomarkers of nutrient intake. Fasters had lower energy intake, due to lower fat and protein intake, compared to non-fasters (p < 0.05). Fasters also had lower intakes of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D, folate, pantothenate, sodium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. Most participants (in both groups) did not meet the recommended dietary allowances of most vitamins and elements. Most serum biochemical parameters did not reflect the differences in nutrient intakes between groups, and none exhibited a correlation coefficient above 0.5 with nutrient intakes. Our findings suggest that COC fasting is associated with reduced intake of many nutrients, although this does not seem to have an impact on the blood biochemical profile.

Highlights

Abstinence from certain foods, permanently or periodically, has been practiced by humans for millennia
We showed that (a) men and women fully adhering to Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasting for decades, whether being older [1] or younger [2], did not differ in bone mineral density, bone mineral content, or prevalence of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fracture from non-fasting counterparts; (b) abstinence from dairy products and meat does not adversely affect musculoskeletal metabolism or bone density [3]; (c) COC fasters had lower vitamin D status than non-fasting controls, without impact on bone health [4]; and (d) differences in protein intake from diverse animal and plant sources, as well as in total, had a minor impact on bone health [5]
Description of COC Fasting COC fasting involves abstaining from certain foods—predominantly of animal origin, except seafood and snails—during five main periods, three important religious days, Wednesdays, and Fridays, totaling 159 to 197 days per year depending on when Easter falls and does not involve abstaining from food consumption during certain hours of the day, which characterizes intermittent fasting

Summary

Introduction

Abstinence from certain foods, permanently or periodically, has been practiced by humans for millennia. Examples of permanent abstinence include vegetarianism (in its various nuances), whereas examples of periodic abstinence include religious fasting, as that practiced by faithful followers of the Christian Orthodox Church (COC). These abstain from certain foods, predominantly of animal origin, for periods totaling approximately half of the year [1]. COC fasting constitutes a distinct dietary pattern, the study of which may offer insight into the relationship between diet and metabolic health. We recently completed a large project examining the impact of lifelong COC fasting on nutrient intake and various health indicators. We showed that (a) men and women fully adhering to COC fasting for decades, whether being older [1] or younger [2], did not differ in bone mineral density, bone mineral content, or prevalence of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fracture from non-fasting counterparts; (b) abstinence from dairy products and meat does not adversely affect musculoskeletal metabolism or bone density [3]; (c) COC fasters had lower vitamin D status than non-fasting controls, without impact on bone health [4]; and (d) differences in protein intake from diverse animal and plant sources, as well as in total, had a minor (if any) impact on bone health [5]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion