The Chenot lifestyle and diet is promoted as helping you live longer. Falstaff tried to find out if this can be true at Chenot Palace Weggis.
It was 50 years ago that a man named Henri Chenot envisaged prolonging the lifespan of human beings through a series of lifestyle changes. He asked the question, what makes us age and does it really matter if we are 80 or 20 years of age, and can we ultimately reverse the signs of ageing and encourage longevity without any tricks or gimmicks?
An advocate of prevention rather than finding a cure, Henri Chenot embarked on a journey in the 1970s and started prompting what called the Chenot lifestyle – a series of lifestyle ‘interventions’ which included “disease prevention, health promotion and detox treatments” for good health.
The word detox no doubt comes with negative connotations – is a detox purely for weight loss? Henri Chenot didn’t think so, although most of the clients who visit Chenot for their 7-day Detox program check in purely to look good and come out lighter on the other side of the gruelling program which starts with early mornings and daily meal recommendations allowing only 850 calories. Chenot, in fact, believed that backed by science, a detox can help you live longer through a process working with hormetic stressors – restricting the body temporarily via fasting to help it regenerate more efficiently.
In 2020, Henri Chenot passed away at the age of 77 but his legacy has lived on with multiple openings promoting the Chenot lifestyle, reaching as far as Azerbaijan, Italy and most recently, Switzerland, where the Chenot Headquarters currently stands overlooking Lake Lucerne.
Dr. George Gaitanos, the Chief Operating Officer and Scientific Director of Chenot Palace Weggis, currently spearheads the Chenot Lifestyle with passion. You may need a background in Physical Science and boast a Biomedical Science degree (guilty!) to fully appreciate and understand the theory behind the Chenot Lifestyle and diet, but Chenot Loyalists do visit the spa fully aware that it is a wellness spa and not a medical clinic – despite having therapists and medical practitioners to support the program.
So, is it actually possible to live longer? And can a detox extend your life? Michelle Tchea for Falstaff sat down with Dr. Gaitanos and discussed the latest health trends, scientific understandings applied at Chenot Palace Weggis, and how longevity can be achieved through diet.
Falstaff: Can you explain The Chenot Method and the process of detoxifying the body?
George Gaitanos: The Chenot Method is unique in its application in that it integrates and transmits energetic, physical and emotional signals to the body. The Chenot Method treats the person at a holistic level rather than focusing on the individual’s symptoms. Both the integrated detox treatments and Chenot Diet Plan that support the natural cleansing functions of the body are the key tenants of the Chenot Method. Hormetic stress is central to this method. It is unique in its application in that it integrates and transmits signals – information – of controlled stress to the body. The activation of energy channels, stimulation of physiological functions, detoxification techniques, and diet plan, are all combined to act as positive stressors to trigger preventive, repairing and regenerative actions. The body, in turn, responds by building up its own internal medicine and regains energy, functional capacity, inner harmony and preserves them over a long period. The treatments are powerful, effective and personalised, enabling the body and mind to reach its optimum health potential. During their stay with us, guests are educated on the lifestyle changes they need to make in order to positively impact their ageing process and promote overall health.
How did you come to Chenot Palace Weggis?
My particular specialisms are energy metabolism and recovery, and I have vast experience in the field of sports performance at an elite international level. Additionally, I have more than 35 years’ experience in the promotion of optimum health and am accredited as an applied exercise physiologist, a certified clinical physiotherapist and a certified acupuncturist. This experience has led me to my current role as Chief Operating and Scientific Officer of Chenot Group, and the successor of Henri Chenot where my mission is to continually innovate and evolve the Chenot Method, based on the latest scientific evidence.
What does detox mean to you? And how is it used in a Chenot Method program?
Detoxification is a fundamental survival mechanism which takes place continuously in our trillions of cells – without it, the human body would not be able to function. The broader concept of ‘detox’ has negative connotations because many people associate it with ‘quick fix’ diet solutions like juice cleanses or teas. But detoxification means so much more. The continual subjection of the body to toxins because of lifestyle choices and environmental stressors is one of the key accelerators of biological ageing, critically shortening health span. At Chenot, our method is designed to fully cleanse the body at the organismal, cellular and molecular level, leaving it in the best state to recover, repair and re-energise, and ultimately become more resilient to stress and adaptable to the environment.
So, detox is more than weight loss?
Detox is absolutely more than weight loss. In fact, we don’t even promote an association between our programmes and weight loss. Of course, with the protocol of treatments and the calorie-restricted, fast-mimicking Chenot diet, weight loss is an unintended side effect, but it certainly shouldn’t be seen as the goal. The main priority for our guests is to reach higher levels of functioning and resilience by respecting their biology and awakening their protective responses. This is what it means to be in optimal health – mentally, physically and spiritually.
Can you explain the Chenot lifestyle?
Ultimately, the Chenot lifestyle advocates for moderation. While the Chenot Method and Chenot Diet are strict, we want to use the time guests have with us to create the self-awareness needed to live younger for longer by improving overall wellbeing, enjoyment of life, happiness and functionality. Our genes are not designed to respond to the comforts of our modern lifestyle. Poor nutrition and processed foods, a sedentary lifestyle sitting at desks and driving point to point, staying up watching TV or using social media and going to bed at 2am – I could go on. The Chenot lifestyle encourages you to respect your natural biology, and the self-healing power of your own body.
How important is diet?
With the fast-mimicking Chenot Diet, we instruct the body to stop the growth command by removing proteins (and therefore amino acids) so the body activates its survival mechanisms. It eats from fat stores and toxins. This starts to have a cellular cleaning effect known as autophagy which has huge anti-ageing benefits, creating younger cells and enhancing your health span.
