Finding a fasting retreat: what defines medically supervised therapeutic fasting

The essentials at a glance

• Medically supervised therapeutic fasting thrives on experience: at the Tannerhof, our doctors have been supervising fasts for over 70 years, both as fasting experts and through our on-site private practice.
• The process is developed individually – the initial medical consultation on the first day of fasting adapts the rhythm and accompanying therapies to the needs of each person.
• The range of therapies and treatments is intentionally broad, from bioimpedance analysis and IHHT altitude training to wraps, baths, massages, and respiratory therapy.
• Environment and medical supervision work in harmony: fasting in the mountain rhythm of Bayrischzell, amidst alpine meadows, mountain streams, and views of the Wendelstein.
• Fasting expertise is anchored in every department of the hotel; fasting guests have their own dedicated dining room, the Fasterstube, and a gentle transition back to everyday life with our "Schlanke Tanne" low-carb program.

What medically supervised therapeutic fasting means

Buchinger therapeutic fasting is the conscious, temporary abstinence from solid food and stimulants. Instead of solid meals, the day is supported by herbal tea, water, mild vegetable soup, and freshly pressed fruit or vegetable juices. Fasting is more than just a diet – it is a therapeutic method, a cleansing on many levels, and an encounter with oneself.

Medical supervision is not mandatory for every fast, but it is always advisable. If you are looking for a medically supervised fasting programme, our Body Detox retreat offers the ideal setting.

Medical experience as a foundation

The Medical Association for Therapeutic Fasting and Nutrition distinguishes between preventive fasting and therapeutic fasting. For therapeutic fasting, the guidelines for fasting therapy emphasize medical responsibility: indications, supervision, and the management of medication require specialized knowledge. Since 1996, doctors have been able to qualify as fasting physicians.

At the Tannerhof, this expertise has grown over generations. Therapeutic fasting was introduced here by Johannes von Mengershausen and has been guided across three generations of doctors—spanning more than 70 years in total. Fasting is truly in our DNA.

A process that is individually tailored

Therapeutic fasting does not begin with the first bowl of soup. Before arrival, the doctors at the Tannerhof recommend one or more relief days at home, perhaps with fruit, potatoes, vegetables, or raw foods. On the day of arrival, a light vegetable plate is served in the evening.

The core is the medical consultation on the first day of fasting. It is holistic in its approach: medical history, physical examination including bioimpedance analysis, and a review of current medications. This is accompanied by questions that focus on the individual – why they are fasting, what goals they have at the Tannerhof beyond fasting, and their previous fasting experience. Within the booked framework, the duration, accompanying therapies, and the rhythm of the transition back to normal eating can be adjusted together with the medical team starting from this consultation.

Five days of fasting or more provide space for the body to adjust; for first-time fasters, a week including the transition period is a good duration. The fasting day itself: herbal tea in the morning, mild vegetable soup at lunch, freshly pressed juice in the evening, and about three liters of fluids throughout the day.

The full spectrum of therapies and treatments

At the Tannerhof, our spectrum of therapies and treatments is deliberately broad. You can find an overview under Treatment Options. From a medical perspective, an initial consultation, follow-up advice, and a final check-in create a calm, supportive arc. Diagnostic elements include bioimpedance analysis, IHHT altitude training depending on the programme, and ozone autologous blood therapy when appropriate.

• Wraps and compresses: hay flower wraps, aroma wraps, moor mud packs, and warm compresses.
• Baths and hydrotherapy: Kneipp alternating water jets, magnesium-rich detoxifying baths, and aromatherapy baths.
• Massages: fasting massage, detoxifying massage with King’s oil or acidosis massage, lymphatic drainage, and foot reflexology.
• Breath and movement: respiratory therapy, yoga, Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, resistance-band training, and sauna sessions.

Physical activity remains a key part of fasting: moderate base endurance and strength training, along with dedicated cardio and strength areas, a natural swimming pool, sauna huts, and our BadeHarpfe bathhouse—the body nourishes itself from within. For the mind: psychotherapeutic coaching, nature coaching, business and communication coaching, and art therapy.

Environment and mountain rhythm

The Tannerhof is situated in Bayrischzell, around 75 kilometres south-east of Munich, nestled in the upper Leitzach Valley with views stretching toward the Wendelstein. Alpine meadows, mountain streams, crisp air, and panoramas taking in the Wendelstein and Sonnwendjoch peaks. My mountain hideaway—while fasting, this phrase takes on a profound new meaning.

A team experienced in fasting across all departments

Fasting expertise is embedded in every department at Tannerhof. This is visible in the "Fasterstube," our dedicated dining room for fasting guests. Those who are fasting require a different pace than those enjoying a full culinary experience.

What happens in the body

The body works on two levels simultaneously. The first is fat burning: converting glucose into fatty acids and ketone bodies. The second is autophagy – the body's own recycling and cleansing processes at the cellular level. It is a deep clean – cellular, vascular, in the connective tissue, the gut, the brain, the liver, and the kidneys.

The PLOS One study by Wilhelmi de Toledo et al. (2019), involving 1,422 participants fasting for four to 21 days, showed that Buchinger fasting within this framework was safe and well-tolerated, with significant improvements in well-being. Fasting is not suitable during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or for those with anorexia. For chronic conditions, ongoing medication, or if you are unsure, a preliminary medical consultation by phone is available before your arrival.

Transitioning back to daily life

Breaking the fast is an essential part of the journey and begins at the Tannerhof with a fresh apple. This is followed by a refeeding phase lasting about a third of the total fasting period. In the final consultation, the attending doctors review the positive changes achieved. For those looking for long-term lifestyle changes, our proprietary low-carb regimen, "Schlanke Tanne", can follow seamlessly. Learn more under Therapeutic Fasting and Schlanke Tanne.

Discover therapeutic fasting at Tannerhof

Find out more about the Body Detox programme and explore our full range of Health Programmes.