A 31-year-old woman in China reportedly developed a serious brain disorder after following an extreme diet that involved consuming only water for 15 days.
The woman, from Henan province, lost around 20kg within a matter of weeks but later developed difficulties walking and problems with her memory.
According to the South China Morning Post, the woman, whose identity was not disclosed, initially weighed 70kg and was 160cm tall before embarking on the extreme weight-loss regime.
Her condition deteriorated after she began fasting while consuming only water. She subsequently struggled to walk and experienced a noticeable decline in her memory.
Neurologist Sun Guifang from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University diagnosed her with Wernicke encephalopathy, a potentially serious brain condition associated with deficiencies in essential nutrients, particularly vitamin B1.
The disorder can cause confusion, balance and coordination problems, difficulties with walking, abnormal eye movements and memory disturbances.
Sun said the woman’s walking pattern resembled that of a penguin and warned that some of the neurological symptoms could potentially become permanent.
The specialist attributed the condition to the woman’s extreme dietary practices, stressing that the human body requires regular food intake to obtain essential nutrients needed for normal bodily functions, including brain health.
The woman reportedly told doctors that she had been practising “bigu”, a form of fasting rooted in Taoist tradition.
Bigu, which literally means “avoiding grains”, is based on the belief that people can achieve spiritual transcendence and immortality by relying on qi, or vital energy believed in Taoist tradition to flow throughout the universe.
The practice is believed to have existed before the Qin Dynasty, which lasted from 221 BC to 206 BC.
The case has highlighted the potential dangers of extreme fasting and restrictive diets, particularly when essential vitamins and nutrients are excluded for prolonged periods.
