Study Overview – Now Fully Available in English.
Although the research was originally completed in 1985, the entire dissertation has recently been translated into English, making it timely for today’s renewed interest in ketogenic and carnivore eating patterns.
The five‑week investigation examined whether serum concentrations of five principal fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic) changed during a controlled fasting regimen with 'Modifast'. Blood serum was separated by thin‑layer chromatography into the five standard lipid fractions (phospholipids, diglycerides, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters). Each fraction was then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by gas chromatography.
In parallel, adipose‑tissue samples were examined to determine whether the relative proportions of the same fatty acids within each lipid fraction were altered during a comparative treatment with 'Bionorm', administered both with and without added unsaturated fatty acids.
The study aimed to identify any measurable deficiency or excess of unsaturated fatty acids arising from the two therapeutic approaches. Results showed that, while most fatty‑acid levels remained stable, modest but statistically significant trends were observed for stearic and linoleic acids in certain fractions, and a slight increase in arachidonic acid within triglycerides. No clinically relevant deficiencies were detected.
Table of Contents
- A Introduction...........................................................4
- B Research Topic........................................................8
- C Procedure of the Investigations.....................................9
- D Methods..............................................................10
- E Material (Reagents).................................................16
- F Solution Preparation................................................17
- G Auxiliary Equipment.................................................18
- H Equipment............................................................19
- I Statistical Evaluation of the Laboratory Findings................20
- J Results................................................................22
- K Time-Course Plots of Individual Serum Fatty Acids During the Modifast® Therapy.....27
- L Percentage Fatty-Acid Distribution in Blood Serum....................40
- M Percentage Fatty-Acid Distribution in Adipose Tissue...................46
- N Percentage Comparison of Fatty-Acid Content in Adipose Tissue at Baseline and After Bionorm® Therapy.....51
- O Discussion of the Results............................................66
- P Summary..............................................................77
- Q Literature.............................................................79
- R Appendix – Statistical Analysis....................................84
- S Acknowledgments.....................................................145
Objective & Key Themes
This thesis aims to thoroughly investigate the influence of modified fasting regimens, specifically using Modifast® and Bionorm® products, on the fatty acid concentrations and distribution patterns within both serum and adipose tissue. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding how these commercial fasting therapies impact fundamental lipid metabolism and contribute to overall health outcomes in individuals.
- Modified Fasting Regimens
- Fatty Acid Patterns
- Serum Lipids and Their Changes
- Adipose Tissue Lipid Composition
- Impact of Modifast® and Bionorm® Therapies
- Statistical Evaluation of Biochemical Data
Excerpt from the Book
A Introduction
Fasting has been linked to human history for millennia. Originally it was mainly religious fasting, but it was also frequently practiced for health reasons. As early as 4000 BCE, the Sumerians recommended adding protein to fasting regimens to mitigate certain unpleasant side effects. The Greeks developed a more advanced theory of dietetics, yet it was not until 1816 that François Magendie experimentally demonstrated – using animal studies – that nitrogen-containing foods are absolutely essential for life. In 1842, Justus von Liebig introduced the concept of the nitrogen balance, simultaneously recognizing the importance of all three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
In today's affluent societies, obesity is widespread, and combating it remains a major challenge.
Overall, energy consumption has declined in all industrial societies, primarily due to a massive shift in working conditions. People today perform far less physical labor than our ancestors did, yet they have not adjusted their diets accordingly. On the contrary, they eat too much – and often the wrong things. Our modem diet is especially high in saturated fatty acids, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and alcohol, while it is deficient in dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, several minerals (e.g., iodine), and vitamins (e.g., B1, B2, and B6).
These nutrition-related diseases become a serious problem – most notably coronary artery disease, hypertension, and atherosclerotic disorders of the cerebral vessels, as well as diabetes and gout. The resulting healthcare costs, lost work days, and other burdens are enormous.
During periods of food scarcity (wars, crop failures, etc.) rates of obesity and its associated illnesses have been shown to decline. Moreover, relying on exercise alone – for example, an hour of gymnastics burns only about 300 extra calories – is insufficient for meaningful weight loss. This realization has sparked a renewed interest in the traditional practice of fasting.
Initially, people fasted without any scientific studies to back it up using the “Zero-Calorie Diet.” Later, various modified diets were introduced. Some of these commercially produced regimens – especially the so-called “Liquid-Protein Diet” – fell into disrepute after being linked to roughly 60 deaths in the United States.
Chapter Summaries
A Introduction: Discusses the historical context of fasting and the emergence of modern diet regimes, highlighting the health implications of dietary imbalances in affluent societies.
B Research Topic: Defines the specific aim of the study, which is to investigate the effects of modified fasting with Modifast® and Bionorm® on serum and tissue fatty acid patterns.
C Procedure of the Investigations: Outlines the design of the study, including participant grouping, the Modifast® fasting regimen, and the comparative use of Bionorm® therapy.
D Methods: Details the laboratory techniques used for fatty acid analysis, including lipid extraction, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography, applied to serum and adipose tissue samples.
J Results: Presents the findings from the study, specifically focusing on the time-course changes and percentage distribution of various fatty acids in blood serum and adipose tissue under different fasting conditions.
O Discussion of the Results: Interprets the experimental findings in the context of existing literature and general knowledge about lipid metabolism and the physiological effects of fasting.
P Summary: Provides a concise overview of the entire study, its methods, key findings, and their implications for understanding the metabolic changes induced by modified fasting.
R Appendix – Statistical Analysis: Describes the statistical methods employed to analyze the data, including calculation of means, standard deviations, and specific tests for differences between groups and over time.
Keywords
Modified fasting, Modifast, Bionorm, fatty acid patterns, serum lipids, tissue lipids, obesity, diet therapy, lipid metabolism, gas chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, clinical study, nutritional science, weight management, statistical analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this work fundamentally about?
This work fundamentally investigates the impact of modified fasting regimens, using specific commercial products called Modifast® and Bionorm®, on the composition and distribution of fatty acids in both blood serum and adipose tissue.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central thematic fields include human nutrition, lipid metabolism, modified fasting therapies, obesity management, and the biochemical analysis of fatty acid profiles in clinical settings.
What is the primary objective or research question?
The primary objective is to determine how modified fasting with Modifast® and Bionorm® influences the concentrations and patterns of various fatty acids in serum and adipose tissue over a specific period.
Which scientific method is used?
The study employs an experimental clinical design involving human subjects, with a methodology focused on precise biochemical analysis using techniques such as thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography, complemented by statistical evaluation.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body covers the detailed methodology, presentation of results including time-course plots and percentage distributions of fatty acids, and a comprehensive discussion interpreting these findings against the background of current scientific understanding.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Keywords characterizing the work include modified fasting, Modifast, Bionorm, fatty acid patterns, serum lipids, tissue lipids, obesity, diet therapy, lipid metabolism, and gas chromatography.
How do Modifast® and Bionorm® differ in their composition and application within the study?
Modifast® is described as a high-quality protein, balanced nitrogen (protein) budget formulation for a 4-week modified fasting regimen, while Bionorm® is evaluated for its effect on fatty acid content in adipose tissue during a 4-week intervention, either "without" (2g fat/100g) or "with" (8.5g fat/100g) specific essential fatty acids.
What specific fatty acid fractions were analyzed in the serum and adipose tissue?
The study analyzed five major lipid fractions in serum and adipose tissue: phospholipids, diglycerides, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters, with a particular focus on palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids.
What historical context is provided for fasting and modern dietary approaches?
The introduction traces fasting back millennia, from religious practice to early scientific dietetics, and highlights how the rise of obesity led to renewed interest in modified diets like the "Zero-Calorie Diet" and "Liquid-Protein Diet," some of which had historical issues.
How are the statistical analyses presented in the appendix related to the main results?
The appendix provides detailed statistical analyses (e.g., ANOVA, autocorrelation) supporting the main results, outlining how the significance of observed changes in fatty acid patterns was determined and evaluated across the various lipid fractions and time points.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. med. Zuzana Herrmann (Autor:in), 1985, Influence of modified fasting with 'Modifast' and 'Bionorm' on the fatty acid patterns of serum and tissue lipids, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1685302
