Breatharianism

Breatharianism is an unusual theory about the way the body works. It is both a dietary idea and a religious idea, and was originally based on a somewhat unusual interpretation of Hindu beliefs.

Believers claim that people can survive without food or water and that humans can be sustained solely by prana (the vital life force). Some interpret this as the energy in sunlight.

The terms breatharianism or inedia may refer to a philosophy, to the practice of the philosophy as a lifestyle, or as a diet. While it is often seen as an esoteric practice performed by eastern ascetics, recently some groups such as the Breatharian Institute of America have promoted the practice as an option for anybody, once the proper techniques for accessing it are made known. (Their website offers a few lucky students the opportunity to sign up for individual coaching, for the mere price of $20,000. At that rate, you wouldn't save much money by not buying groceries!)

The western form of the breatharian idea is called 'inedia,' which means 'fasting' in Latin. Inedia was originally a fast-based lifestyle within Catholic tradition, which holds that certain saints were able to survive for extended periods of time without food or drink beyond the Eucharist.

Can people really live without food or water? Breatharians have seldom submitted themselves to medical testing, and currently there is no evidence to support their claims. In several documented cases, individuals attempting breatharian fasting have died.

'Jasmuheen', (born Ellen Greve) was probably the most famous advocate of Breatharianism during the 1990s. She claimed that she could go for long periods of time "without having anything at all other than a cup of tea. My body runs on a different kind of nourishment." When several interviewers found her house full of food, she claimed the food was for her husband.

In 1999, Jasmuheen volunteered to be monitored closely by the Australian television program 60 Minutes for one week without eating or drinking to demonstrate her methods. She complained that the test was begun at a hotel near a busy road, and the lack of fresh air kept her from getting the nutrition she needed from the air.

She was moved to a mountainside retreat on the third day of the test, but Dr. Berris Wink, president of the Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association, urged her to stop the test after the fourth day of her fast. She was severely dehydrated, and the doctor believed she would suffer from kidney failure if the test continued.

The test failed, obviously, but Jasmuheen continued to claim that thousands of people have lived without food or water without negative results. There is no evidence that this is true.

Jasmuheen won several somewhat dubious awards in the year 2000 for her support of the idea of breatharianism. She was awarded the Bent Spoon Award by Australian Skeptics, because her ideas were considered one of the most preposterous pieces of "paranormal or pseudoscientific piffle".

She also won the Ig Nobel Prize for Literature for her book Living on Light.

Three people have recently died while attempting the breatharianism diet.

Breatharianism should not be confused with the long-established tradition of water fasting. Many people have fasted for extended periods of time, (including Jesus, who fasted for 40 days). Of course, no fast longer than a day or two should ever be done without close medical supervision, and people with rare conditions should never fast. The problems experienced by Ellen Greve and some of her followers probably stemmed from their decision to stop drinking water, as well. No human can survive without water for very long.

Click here for more information about fasting.

 

Please also visit my other sites:

All About Gastric Bypass - An honest look at the benefits, costs and complications of weight loss surgery.

The Craving Control Diet: The only diet that helps you lose weight, controls your appetite, eliminates food obsessions and cravings, and improves your moods - all with the fat-fighting power of whole, natural foods. It isn't just safer than fad diets - it actually works for permanent weight loss.

 

 

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