Influence of modified fasting with 'Modifast' and 'Bionorm' on the fatty acid patterns of serum and tissue lipids

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.