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Food and health

The significant effect on musculoskeletal metabolism and bone density of the Eastern Mediterranean Christian Orthodox Church fasting

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 74, pages 1736–1742 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective

Nutritional disorders cause secondary osteoporosis as well as musculoskeletal metabolism dysfunction. The Christian Orthodox Church’s fasting in Mediterranean countries such Greece and Cyprus, or M.C.O.C. diet consists of self-restraint from food and/or food categories for 180 ± 19 days of total, especially of animal protein and dairy products. This case-control study attempts to investigate the effect of this fasting pattern on musculoskeletal metabolism and bone density.

Design

One hundred fasters (or M.C.O.C. diet followers; 68 women and 32 men, mean 59 ± 6.5) with 32 years average fasting time and 100 non-fasters (66 females and 34 males, mean 58.1 ± 6.8; the control group of Mediterranean diet followers) over the age of 50, including menopausal women, were interviewed, as well as physically and laboratory examined along with DEXA measurements of the L2-4 vertebrae and hips. Nutrition data gathered through a 3-day food record during a non-fasting period, while energy intakes calculated on a daily food consumption basis.

Results

Given the overall low incidence of osteoporosis in the Mediterranean diet, it appears to be more than three times higher than that of M.C.O.C. diet despite the periodic restriction of food intake of animal origin into a slightly hypothermic pattern, which in turn is characterized by increased consumption of multicolored vegetable foods.

Conclusions

Abstinence from dairy products and meat does not adversely affect musculoskeletal metabolism or bone density. M.C.O.C. diet seems to be “healthy” eating habit for the musculoskeletal system, as future studies expected to confirm.

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Fig. 1: Columns of prevalence of normal bone density (T-score ≥ 1.5) at the lumbar spine (L2/L4), left hip (L Hip), right hip (R Hip), left femoral neck (L femoral neck), and right femoral neck (R Femoral Neck) of fasters (gray boxes) and non-fasters (black boxes).
Fig. 2: Columns of prevalence (%) of osteoporosis at the lumbar spine (L2/L4), left hip (L Hip), right hip (R Hip), left femoral neck (L femoral neck), and right femoral neck (R Femoral Neck) of fasters (gray columns) and non-fasters (black columns).

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Metropolitan Varnavas of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, Thessaloniki; Metropolitan Georgios of Kitros, Katerini, and Platamon; Hieromonk Father Luke Kipouros of Holy Trinity Monastery, Panorama, Thessaloniki; Nun, Melani Chatzipatera, Mother Superior of Assumption of Virgin Monastery, Panorama, Thessaloniki; Professor Emeritus of the School of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Dimitrios Tselegidis; Archimandrite Nikodemos Skrettas-Plexidas; and Archpriest Athanasios Gikas; Professors of the School of Pastoral and Social Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, for their help in collecting the study sample.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece

    Nikolaos E. Rodopaios, George E. Manolarakis, Alexandra-Aikaterini Koulouri, Manolis K. Linardakis & Anthony G. Kafatos

  2. Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Eleni Vasara

  3. Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, Thermi, Greece

    Sousana K. Papadopoulou & Maria Hassapidou

  4. Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, International Hellenic University, Thermi, Greece

    Petros Skepastianos

  5. Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

    Emmanouil Dermitzakis

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Rodopaios, N.E., Manolarakis, G.E., Koulouri, AA. et al. The significant effect on musculoskeletal metabolism and bone density of the Eastern Mediterranean Christian Orthodox Church fasting. Eur J Clin Nutr 74, 1736–1742 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-020-0667-7

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