Nikolaos E Rodopaios1, George E Manolarakis2, Alexandra-Aikaterini Koulouri2, Eleni Vasara3, Sousana K Papadopoulou4, Petros Skepastianos5, Emmanouil Dermitzakis6, Maria Hassapidou4, Manolis K Linardakis2, Anthony G Kafatos2. 1. Department of Social Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece. nikow1966@yahoo.gr. 2. Department of Social Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece. 3. Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. 4. Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, Thermi, Greece. 5. Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, International Hellenic University, Thermi, Greece. 6. Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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.
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.
Authors: Katerina Sarri; George Bertsias; Manolis Linardakis; George Tsibinos; Nikolaos Tzanakis; Anthony Kafatos Journal: Int J Vitam Nutr Res Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 1.784
Authors: Andrea L Darling; D Joe Millward; David J Torgerson; Catherine E Hewitt; Susan A Lanham-New Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2009-11-04 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Marian A E van Bokhorst-de van der Schueren; Sabine Lonterman-Monasch; Oscar J de Vries; Sven A Danner; Mark H H Kramer; Majon Muller Journal: Clin Nutr Date: 2013-05-17 Impact factor: 7.324