Karras S N, Persynaki A, Petróczi A, Barkans E, Mulrooney H, Kypraiou M, Tzotzas T, Tziomalos K, Kotsa K, Tsioudas A A, Pichard C, Naughton D P
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Nutrition Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2017 Jun;71(6):743-749. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2017.26. Epub 2017 Mar 22.
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.
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/m) 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.
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.
背景/目的：希腊东正教禁食（OF）受基督教东正教教义规定，每年禁食180 - 200天。本横断面研究首次考察了阿索斯山僧侣（AMs）的希腊东正教禁食的特点及其对人体测量、心脏代谢指标和钙稳态的影响。
受试者/方法：记录了在圣诞节禁食期的一个周末（定义为非严格日，NRD）和大斋期的一个工作日（标记为严格日，RD）期间一天的能量、常量和微量营养素的每日摄入量。
70名阿索斯山僧侣（年龄 = 38.8±9.7岁）在严格日和非严格日的每日能量摄入量均较低（分别为1265.9±84.5千卡和1660±81千卡，P<0.001）。配对样本t检验显示严格日和非严格日的每日摄入量之间存在统计学显著差异：碳水化合物（159.6±21.8克对294.3±23.4克，P<0.0001）和饱和脂肪（12.7±0.0克对16.4±0.0克，P<0.0001）较低，而蛋白质（89.2±1.3克对72.35±1.3克，P<0.001）在严格日较高。50名僧侣（年龄 = 38.7±10.6岁）的子样本组成了用于心脏代谢和钙稳态评估的研究队列。体重（74.3±12.9千克）和体重指数（BMI；23.8±4.1千克/米²）与身体活动水平无关。发现脂质和葡萄糖参数的最佳概况（总胆固醇：183.4±41.7毫克/分升，低密度脂蛋白：120.6±37.6毫克/分升，甘油三酯：72.2±31.3毫克/分升，高密度脂蛋白：48.5±14.2毫克/分升和胰岛素抵抗稳态模型评估（HOMA - IR）1.02±0.40）。观察到严重维生素D缺乏（8.8±6.2纳克/毫升）、高甲状旁腺激素（PTH）：115.5±48.0皮克/毫升，而血清钙水平正常（8.9±3.2毫克/分升）。
这项独特研究的结果不受生活方式因素变化的影响，为严格的阿索斯山希腊东正教禁食通过优化脂质和葡萄糖稳态对健康有益提供了明确证据。
