Psychophysiological study on fasting therapy

The Tohoku University method of fasting therapy was performed on 380 patients. The clinical results revealed an efficacy rate of 87%. With regard to psychosomatic diseases, irritable colon syndrome, neurocirculatory asthenia, mild diabetes mellitus, obesity and borderline hypertension were good indi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPsychotherapy and psychosomatics Vol. 32; no. 1-4; p. 229
Main Authors Yamamoto, H, Suzuki, J, Yamauchi, Y
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland 01.01.1979
Subjects
11-Hydroxycorticosteroids - blood
17-Hydroxycorticosteroids - urine
17-Ketosteroids - urine
Adolescent
Adult
Asthma - therapy
Child
Colonic Diseases, Functional - therapy
Dexamethasone
Diabetes Mellitus - therapy
Electroencephalography
Fasting - psychology
Female
Headache - therapy
Humans
Hypertension - therapy
Hyperventilation - therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity - therapy
Psychophysiologic Disorders - therapy
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Summary:The Tohoku University method of fasting therapy was performed on 380 patients. The clinical results revealed an efficacy rate of 87%. With regard to psychosomatic diseases, irritable colon syndrome, neurocirculatory asthenia, mild diabetes mellitus, obesity and borderline hypertension were good indications for this therapy. In order to clarify the therapeutic mechanism, several clinical examinations were administered before, during and after therapy. EEG data was analysed according to the power spectral method. The peak frequency decreased as fasting progressed, while it increased as re-fed continued. Percent energy of alpha waves after fasting therapy was significantly higher than that of the pre-fasting stage. The dexamethasone suppression rate of urine 17-OHCS after fasting therapy was significantly lower than that of the pre-fasting stage. It seems that ketone nutrition may work as a strong stressor in the brain cell, temporarily placing all biological mechanisms in a stress state and then activating the natural healing power inherent to the human body, thereby bringing about homeostasis.
ISSN:0033-3190
DOI:10.1159/000287392