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Interventions and public health nutrition

Health benefits and consequences of the Eastern Orthodox fasting in monks of Mount Athos: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Greek Orthodox fasting (OF), which involves 180–200 days of fasting per year, is dictated by the Christian Orthodox religion. For the first time, this cross-sectional study examines the characteristics and the effects of OF on anthropometry, cardiometabolic markers and calcium homeostasis in Athonian monks (AMs).

Subjects/Methods:

Daily intakes of energy, macro- and micronutrients of a day during a weekend of Nativity Fast, defined as non-restrictive day (NRD), and a weekday during Great Lent, labeled as restrictive day (RD) were recorded.

Results:

The daily energy intake of 70 AM (age=38.8±9.7 years) was low during both RD and NRD (1265.9±84.5 vs 1660±81 kcal, respectively, P<0.001). Paired samples t-test showed statistically significant difference between daily intakes in RD and NRD: carbohydrates (159.6±21.8 vs 294.3±23.4 g, P<0.0001) and saturated fat (12.7±0.0 vs 16.4±0.0 g, P<0.0001) were lower, whereas protein (89.2±1.3 vs 72.35±1.3 g, P<0.001) was higher during RD. A subsample of 50 monks (age=38.7±10.6 years) formed a study cohort for cardiometabolic and calcium homeostasis assessment. Body weight (74.3±12.9 kg) and body mass index (BMI; 23.8±4.1 kg/m2) were independent of level of physical activity. Optimal profiles for lipid and glucose parameters (total cholesterol: 183.4±41.7 mg/dl, LDL: 120.6±37.6 mg/dl, triglycerides: 72.2±31.3 mg/dl, HDL: 48.5±14.2 mg/dl and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) 1.02±0.40) were found. Profound hypovitaminosis D (8.8±6.2 ng/ml), high parathyroid hormone (PTH): 115.5±48.0 pg/ml with normal serum calcium levels (8.9±3.2 mg/dl) was observed.

Conclusions:

Unaffected by variation in lifestyle factors, the results of this unique study offers clear evidence for the health benefits of the strict Athonian OF through optimal lipid and glucose homeostasis.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the ‘Holy Supervision Council’ and the community of monks at Mount Athos for their participation.

Author contributions

SNK and AgP conceptualized and designed the study. SNK and AAT collected all data. SNK, AgP, AP, TT, EB, KT and HM analyzed and interpreted the dietary data, SNK, TT and DPN interpreted biochemical results. MK conducted biochemical analysis of the samples. EB and KT performed the literature review and performed the statistical analysis under the supervision of AP, HM and DPN. SNK, AP and CP drafted the first version of the manuscript. All authors have read and critically revised the manuscript and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to S N Karras.

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Karras, S., Persynaki, A., Petróczi, A. et al. Health benefits and consequences of the Eastern Orthodox fasting in monks of Mount Athos: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Clin Nutr 71, 743–749 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2017.26

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