Page 87 - How to stay healthy in an unhealthy world

harm!" was an ardent supporter of moderation and treatment through fasting. He wrote: "When a patient is fed too richly, the disease is fed as well. Remember – any excess is against nature."
Plutarch (46 – 120 AD), the great biographer of antiquity, was also a supporter of abstinence and vegetarianism. He spoke with deep conviction: "Instead of taking medications, it is better fast for one day."
Luigi di Cornaro Story . . .
The idea of fasting for health continued to wander in the minds even in the Middle Ages - the period of ignorance. And, of course, with a new force, they flared in the Renaissance period. A good example is the history of Luigi di Cornaro (1465- 1566). As a Venetian aristocrat, Cornaro was no different from people of his circle at that time: He indulged in revelry (partying), excessive eating and drinking.
No wonder that at the age of 40, severe illnesses confined Cornaro to bed. Neither the best doctors in Italy, nor a variety of medications were able to help him. All (including doctors) were confident that Cornaro’s days were numbered.
However, a doctor was found that, contrary to professional prejudices of the time, suggested that Cornaro periodically practice strict abstinence from food. And a miracle happened: Cornaro survived.
Moreover, during the following year he got rid of all his illnesses. Being 83 years old he wrote his first book "A lesson on temperate living" ("Discorsi de la vita sobria"). Then he wrote a few more books, the last one at the age of 95. He died at the age of 102 in Padua, by falling asleep in his chair and never waking up again.
I should also mention English physician Dr.Chain (1671-1743), who himself went through all the circles of hell and disease, because of excessive eating of
Luigi Di Cornaro the italina noble who healed himself through fasting and wrote books about it.
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