Vivamayr, a luxury health spa located on an idyllic lake in Maria Wörth, Austria, offers week-long stays starting at approximately $7,000, attracting celebrity clientele like Elizabeth Hurley and Melanie Griffith seeking a gut health reset. The resort operates on the principles of the Modern Mayr Medicine, a method developed by Austrian physician Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr.
The Mayr Method
Dr. Sepp Fegerl, Head of the Medical Department at Vivamayr, explained that the method, founded over a century ago, emphasizes the link between digestive efficiency and overall well-being. The core objective is to restore the body's self-regulation and regeneration capabilities through individualized fasting, retraining eating behaviors, identifying food intolerances, and addressing nutritional deficiencies. This approach is guided by 10 "Golden Rules" for eating:
- Chew each bite 25-30 times.
- Do not consume drinks with meals.
- Eat in a relaxed manner; skip meals if time is insufficient.
- Avoid snacking between meals.
- No raw food after 4 p.m.
- Stop eating when satisfied.
- Breathe through your nose while chewing.
- Food sourcing, preparation, combination, and storage are important.
- Maintain a daily rhythm.
- Do not read, use a phone, or use a laptop while eating.
A Rigorous Detox Experience
A journalist's four-day stay at Vivamayr began with a consultation and a prescription for magnesium citrate, a potent laxative, to aid in gut detoxification. The initial 48 hours were challenging, marked by headaches, lethargy, agitation, and irritability, exacerbated by the absence of coffee. Meals were served three times daily, with a progressive reduction in content, often culminating in vegetable broth for dinner. Guests were assigned specific meal plans, with personalized supplements and medications, sometimes leading to a stark contrast in dietary intake among guests.
To encourage mindful eating, phones and electronic devices were prohibited during meals, fostering a quiet environment for guests to focus on their food. Over time, hunger subsided, and the strict regimen began to feel less daunting.
Treatments and Therapies
Beyond the dietary regimen, the resort offers a range of treatments, including oxygen therapy, electrolysis foot baths, forest walks, cryotherapy, nutritional consultations, breathwork, and heart rate variability (HRV) stress tests. The journalist underwent applied kinesiology, or muscle testing, where a doctor tested muscle strength while the patient held vials of various substances. This process identified a sensitivity to histamines, influencing the individualized therapy plan.
Despite the rigorous nature of the program, the journalist found the experience to be highly effective, noting a positive impact on gut health, reduced bloating, and weight loss. The retreat also led to a changed relationship with food, with a greater awareness of hunger cues and a more mindful approach to eating. While acknowledging the demanding nature of the detox, the journalist expressed a willingness to return for future resets, recommending it for those seeking a significant gut health improvement in a scenic setting, with a caveat to prepare for the caffeine withdrawal.