Effect of periodic abstinence from dairy products for approximately half of the year on bone health in adults following the Christian Orthodox Church fasting rules for decades

Rodopaios, Nikolaos E.; Mougios, Vassilis; Konstantinidou, Anna; Iosifidis, Stelios; Koulouri, Alexandra-Aikaterini; Vasara, Eleni; Papadopoulou, Sousana K.; Skepastianos, Petros; Dermitzakis, Emmanouil T.; Hassapidou, Maria; Kafatos, Anthony

doi:10.1007/s11657-019-0625-y

Cited by 15 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…It is enriched in micronutrients and single food items or groups that have been associated with a better mental health status. Specifically, it involves low intake of dietary cholesterol, total and saturated fat, and trans-fatty acids, and high intake of antioxidant vitamins, dietary fibers, folate, and carbohydrates during fasting versus non-fasting periods [22,[26][27][28][29] while ferrum levels are not significantly affected by fasting [30]. Previous studies have shown that increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, and seafood was associated with a decreased risk for depression and cognitive impairment and lower levels of anxiety [31][32][33][34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Christian Orthodox Church Fasting Diet Is Associated with Lower Levels of Depression and Anxiety and a Better Cognitive Performance in Middle Life

et al. 2021

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Lifestyle choices significantly influence mental health in later life. In this study we investigated the effects of the Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasting diet, which includes long-term regular abstinence from animal-based products for half the calendar year, on cognitive function and emotional wellbeing of healthy adults. Two groups of fasting and non-fasting individuals were evaluated regarding their cognitive performance and the presence of anxiety and depression using the Mini Mental Examination Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), respectively. Data on physical activity, smoking, and vitamin levels were collected and correlated with mental health scoring. Negative binomial regression was performed to examine differences in the GDS scores between the two groups. Significantly lower levels of anxiety (7.48 ± 4.98 vs. 9.71 ± 5.25; p < 0.001) and depression (2.24 ± 1.77 vs. 3.5 ± 2.52; p < 0.001), along with better cognitive function (29.15 ± 0.79 vs. 28.64 ± 1.27; p < 0.001), were noticed in fasting compared to non-fasting individuals. GDS score was 31% lower (Incidence Rate Ratio: 0.69, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.56–0.85) in the fasting group compared to the control, while vitamin and ferrum levels did not differ. The COC fasting diet was found to have an independent positive impact on cognition and mood in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dietary data and alcohol intake were assessed as previously described [22]. Specifically, data were collected through interview-based recalls of food intake over three days, which included a Wednesday or Friday (during which the fasters obeyed fasting), another weekday, and a weekend day.…”

Section: Dietary Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Christian Orthodox Church Fasting Diet Is Associated with Lower Levels of Depression and Anxiety and a Better Cognitive Performance in Middle Life

et al. 2021

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“…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, although 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].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…The fasters had been adhering to religious fasting for a median of 15 years, ranging from 10 to 32 years and with 15 (10-26) years as the starting age of fasting. Details of the study design and the participants have been presented previously [1,2].…”

Section: Study Design and Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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]. Fasting periods are characterized by high intakes of legumes, cereals, vegetables, and fruits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2021

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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.

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Bone status of young adults with periodic avoidance of dairy products since childhood

et al. 2019

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Effect of periodic abstinence from dairy products for approximately half of the year on bone health in adults following the Christian Orthodox Church fasting rules for decades

Cited by 15 publications

References 18 publications

The Christian Orthodox Church Fasting Diet Is Associated with Lower Levels of Depression and Anxiety and a Better Cognitive Performance in Middle Life

The Christian Orthodox Church Fasting Diet Is Associated with Lower Levels of Depression and Anxiety and a Better Cognitive Performance in Middle Life

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

Bone status of young adults with periodic avoidance of dairy products since childhood

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