Vishwaveer Singh

Based in Austria, Dr Sepp Fegerl leads a resurgence in a time-honoured medical approach among the global elite. His focus on dietary habits, considering the gut as central to human health, underscores the importance of caloric reduction for mental liberation. In an interview with HELLO!, Dr Fegerl discusses digital detox, mental well-being and the efficacy of eliminating habits to steer life back on track.

HELLO!: People are moving towards naturopathic medicine and holistic cures. Why in your opinion is this shift taking shape now?

Dr Sepp Fegerl: “The last century was dominated in medical science by the explorations, inventions, diagnostic developments and therapeutic innovations of so-called allopathic medicine. Physicians and society were almost infatuated with these undoubtedly valuable findings and skills, to the extent that the experiences and wisdom of our ancestors regarding observational medicine were somewhat neglected or overlooked.

Modern lifestyle, environmental pollution, medication abuse, dogmatic lecturing at medical universities, and the sometimes overly business-oriented influence of the pharmaceutical industry have essentially relegated naturopathic medical traditions to an almost esoteric corner. Concurrently, the limitations in diagnosing and treating everyday health issues and diseases are frequently not effectively addressed by exclusively relying on allopathic medicine. The founders of complementary medicine understood the boundary between body and soul, emotion and reason, cell and energy, individual and universe. Unfortunately, this understanding appears to have been lost in university medicine.

This limitation results in restricted success in medical practice. People experience and feel this and that is why they now search for physicians, scientists and institutions that think beyond boundaries and integrate the valuable wisdom from both branches of medicine. Their aim is to develop an understanding that empowers them to achieve long-lasting or sustainable health.”

H!: What recommendations would you have for people wanting to change their lifestyles to live in a healthier way?

SF: “In the medical field today, we know a lot, but we’re not entirely sure about what truly supports health and well-being. Billions are invested in high-profile medical trials and the conclusions often sound like common wisdom, similar to a grandmother’s advice to her grandchildren—now scientifically proven.

• Go to bed early for a good night’s sleep. Ensure your bedroom is dark, silent and cool — ideally free from radiation.
• Lead a physically active life, periodically challenging your body’s muscles and flexibility for improvement.
• Nurture your social environment and strive to be an active part of it, beginning with the family and expanding outward.
• Devote time to nature.

Incorporate some form of caloric restriction into your routine. Traditional fasting practices, prevalent in nearly every civilization, existed for good reason.

We know of NO pharmaceutical substance, surgery or treatment in modern medicine that has anywhere near as positive an impact on the health and wellbeing of healthy AND sick people as the points mentioned above.”

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H!: How does a therapeutic approach incorporate caloric reduction as a form of fasting therapy?

SF: “At Modern Mayr Medicine, our diagnostic and therapy practices view the intestinal system to be the root of the human tree of health. These age-old practices, founded almost 100 years ago, have been developed further by its followers according to the modern scientific findings. It originated as a form of fasting therapy and remains so. The caloric reduction, not to be misunderstood as starvation, clears the mind, enabling a renewed focus on essentials. It’s a powerful tool, capable of seamlessly integrating with various therapeutic approaches. The minimum recommended duration is three weeks, perfectly aligning with psychoneuroimmunological necessities.”

H!: What can we learn from the lifestyles of those people living in blue zones [geographic regions that are home to some of the world’s oldest people]? And what do you feel makes them healthier than the rest of us?

SF: “Science aimed to uncover the specific diet, gut microbes, herbs, and geographical features influencing the high life expectancy in certain zones. However, none of the anticipated elements were consistent. What unites the residents of these blue zones is their way of life: they may not be economically affluent, but they play a crucial role with their hands within their social environment. They fulfill a role in their community until their last days, with no concept of retirement. Their lives are characterised by a slow pace, rooted in traditional and natural rhythms. They sleep enough and eat little. Firmly embedded in their local society, they remain physically active — important for those who surround them. It’s a lifestyle that is simple yet effective, and scientifically proven to contribute to a longer life.”

H!: How important is mental health for people in this day and age?

SF: “The unsettling feeling of not being in tune with your mental self-expectations is one of the scariest things one can imagine. Physical activity is a scientific proven antidepressant, so is sleep hygiene and fasting.

Direct social contact, coupled with having a socially relevant task and function, plays a significant role in enhancing mental health and fostering the development of healthy confidence and a sense of safety. Prominent figures in psychiatric medicine comprehend depression as an inflammatory disease. So, it seems to be logical to opt for a lifestyle that is anti-inflammatory. Two-thirds of the immune-competent cells responsible for potential inflammation are located in the gut. Consequently, taking care of gut health becomes imperative. Simple things like chewing small bites carefully, ending the meal when the gut feels relaxed and warm (rather than overly full), practicing intermittent fasting and avoiding raw food in the evening can be minor yet powerful adjustments in one’s daily routine.”

H!: What supplements would you recommend for most people living a hectic modern life?

SF: “Don’t add more things to your life in an attempt to make it easier, this approach hasn’t worked in the past, and it won’t work in the future. Start by eliminating unnecessary,unloved and stressful elements from your life—one by one. Or exchange them with quality alternatives, one at a time. If you dislike feeling like a victim after meals, adjust your behaviour during meals until you feel good. If nighttime snacking bothers you, opt for a relaxing bath or a long shower. Keep it simple. You will love how it makes you feel afterwards!”

This article has been adapted for the website from the March 2024 issue of HELLO! India. Grab your copies here.