Detoxing like a hollywood star – the Medical Health Resort Vivamayr Maria Wörth

A gentle restart at Lake Wörthersee

Outside, the sun sparkles on the ink-blue waters of Lake Wörthersee, plunging to a depth of 86 meters. Through the open window drifts the lively chatter from the terrace, while Dr. Fink places tiny amounts of gluten, egg, and other food substances on my tongue. She asks me to press my arm against hers with full force. From my muscle reactions, she compiles a personalized nutrition plan for the coming days.

It is my very first medical appointment here at the Medical Health Resort Vivamayr Maria Wörth. Last night, I was picked up at Klagenfurt airport – and couldn’t help smiling as I passed a kiosk right in front of the resort stacked high with freshly baked pretzels and chocolate. For me, the next ten days mean: abstinence! After countless travels, jet lag and mounting everyday stress, I had been struggling increasingly with digestive problems over the past few months. That’s why I chose the “Prevent & Wellbeing” program that’s designed to strengthen the gut with the help of the F.X. Mayr cure.

Already at check-in, the international spirit of the place strikes me. Stars such as Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Chuck Norris have all recharged their batteries here — and swear by the cure’s healing effects. “We are visited by guests from all over the world,” Managing Director Serhan Güven tells me when I meet him during my stay. “In the past, the focus was on classic detox and weight loss. Today, our guests come to us with stress, exhaustion, or mental health issues. Social pressure has definitely increased. That’s why we now employ two psychologists in our medical team –both of whom are mostly fully booked.”

Already at check-in, the international spirit of the place strikes me. Stars such as Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Chuck Norris have all recharged their batteries here — and swear by the cure’s healing effects. “We are visited by guests from all over the world,” Managing Director Serhan Güven tells me when I meet him during my stay. “In the past, the focus was on classic detox and weight loss. Today, our guests come to us with stress, exhaustion, or mental health issues. Social pressure has definitely increased. That’s why we now employ two psychologists in our medical team –both of whom are mostly fully booked.”

Balance begins in the gut

I quickly realize that I’m not alone with my complaints. “Everyone has the right to grow old in good health,” explains Dr. Werner Zancolo, the head physician, later – quoting the original founder of the F.X. Mayr cure. “The gut dictates how we feel. It is the ultimate source of serotonin. When it falls out of balance, we notice it mentally as well.” His advice sounds simple but entirely convincing: “Eat 15 to 20 different kinds of fruits and vegetables per week, go for a fiber-rich diet, integrate prebiotics like acacia fiber and reduce stress.

The essential building blocks at Lake Wörthersee are the following: four saunas, cold and infrared chambers, ­medical ­treatments, moderate exercise and delicious alkaline-based cuisine.

Each day at the resort is carefully structured. At 6 a.m., I wake up to a dreamlike view of the lake. First step is drinking my magnesium concentrate – much milder than the infamous Glauber’s salt – followed by an Ayurvedic oil-pulling ritual. At 8 a.m., breakfast is served: gluten-free, sugar-free and aligned with the Candida diet. Alongside it, I take a supplement for a parasite cleanse, which sounds odd at first, but the doctor explains that about eighty percent of people are affected, often without showing any symptoms.

Later, I’m put to the test on an indoor bike: pedaling until I’m breathless, then blowing into a tube. The results confirm my suspicion: I am stressed. My body burns far more carbohydrates than fat: a clear sign of chronic strain. I’m advised to avoid long anaerobic workouts, which signal to the body: You are in danger. Prolong this state, and illness is the likely consequence.

New strength through breathing training

After a light yet delicious lunch, my schedule leads me to breathing training with a professional opera singer. She shows me the importance of correct breathing, explaining how poor posture or trauma can cause the voice to “withdraw,” and how, while scrolling through social media or sitting at our desks, we often breathe very shallowly – or barely at all. She demonstrates exercises to strengthen the voice and expand the breath.

Dinner brings me into conversation with other guests: two Canadians, an Austrian, and a Turkish woman. Each with her own story of why she came here. On the day of departure, after my final check-up, I take one last look at the beautiful Lake Wörthersee – feeling replenished and brimming with fresh energy.