We have studied the effect of therapeutic fasting in 76 patients with
pulmonary sarcoidosis (28, 45 and 3 patients with stage I, II and III,
respectively). Fifty-two patients with PS stage I, II and minimal cli
nical symptoms received fasting alone. Twenty-four patients with PS st
age II, III and frequent recurrences received combined treatment (fast
ing and oral corticosteroids). The efficacy of the treatment was evalu
ated by clinical symptoms, X-ray picture, pulmonary capillary blood fl
ow and immunological parameters. We have found that therapeutic fastin
g reduced clinical symptoms in 85% of the patients, improved x-ray pic
ture in 62% of the patients. Positive trend was also registered in imm
unological parameters. Therapeutic fasting produced maximal positive e
ffect in patients with PS stage I, II and duration of the disease less
than I year. Patients with PS stage II, III and the disease duration
more than 1 year should be treated with fasting in combination with co
rticosteroids.