Inedia (Latin: "fasting") or breatharianism is a new age practice which alleges the ability to live without food. Breatharians claim that food and possibly water are not necessary, and that humans can be sustained solely by prana (the vital life force in Hinduism), or, according to some, by the energy in sunlight (according to Ayurveda, sunlight is one of the main sources of prana). The terms breatharianism or inedia may also refer to this philosophy practiced as a lifestyle in place of the usual diet.
Breatharianism is a lethal pseudoscience, and several adherents of these practices have died from starvation.
Scientific basis
Nutritional science indicates that fasting for extended periods leads to starvation, dehydration, and eventual death. In the absence of calorie intake, the body normally burns its own reserves of glycogen, body fat, and muscle. Breatharians claim that their bodies do not consume these reserves while fasting.
Few breatharians have submitted themselves to medical testing; of those that have, including a hospital's observation of an Indian mystic Prahlad Jani appearing to survive without food or water for 15 days and an Israeli breatharian appearing to survive for eight on a television documentary, none have undergone peer review with results independently reproduced. In a handful of documented cases, individuals attempting breatharian fasting have died, and among the claims investigated by the Indian Rationalist Association, all were found to be fraudulent. In other cases, people have attempted to survive on sunlight alone, sometimes for publicity or monetary gain, only to abandon the effort after losing a large percentage of their body weight. ... continue reading>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inedia
Breatharianism is a lethal pseudoscience, and several adherents of these practices have died from starvation.
Scientific basis
Nutritional science indicates that fasting for extended periods leads to starvation, dehydration, and eventual death. In the absence of calorie intake, the body normally burns its own reserves of glycogen, body fat, and muscle. Breatharians claim that their bodies do not consume these reserves while fasting.
Few breatharians have submitted themselves to medical testing; of those that have, including a hospital's observation of an Indian mystic Prahlad Jani appearing to survive without food or water for 15 days and an Israeli breatharian appearing to survive for eight on a television documentary, none have undergone peer review with results independently reproduced. In a handful of documented cases, individuals attempting breatharian fasting have died, and among the claims investigated by the Indian Rationalist Association, all were found to be fraudulent. In other cases, people have attempted to survive on sunlight alone, sometimes for publicity or monetary gain, only to abandon the effort after losing a large percentage of their body weight. ... continue reading>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inedia
Jasmuheen, formerly Ellen Greve, is credited with starting today's Breatharian movement. Her Prana Program advises followers to convert to Breatharianism gradually: Become a vegetarian; become a vegan; move to raw foods, then fruits, then liquids and finally prana. You replace physical food with air and light as well as metaphysical nourishment.
Jasmuheen claims she's lived for years without nourishment, although she admits to having mouthfuls of food for taste every once in a while. But Breatharianism has taken the lives of some of its followers. Verity Linn, a 49-year-old woman, was found dead in a remote part of Scotland after attempting the Breatharian conversion. Timo Degen, a kindergarten teacher, tried the Breatharian plan and slipped into a coma. Degen recovered after four weeks of IV drips, only to die a short while later [Source: The Sunday Times via Rick Ross]. ...
read more @ science.howstuffworks.com
Jasmuheen claims she's lived for years without nourishment, although she admits to having mouthfuls of food for taste every once in a while. But Breatharianism has taken the lives of some of its followers. Verity Linn, a 49-year-old woman, was found dead in a remote part of Scotland after attempting the Breatharian conversion. Timo Degen, a kindergarten teacher, tried the Breatharian plan and slipped into a coma. Degen recovered after four weeks of IV drips, only to die a short while later [Source: The Sunday Times via Rick Ross]. ...
read more @ science.howstuffworks.com
Human Barbie' strives to become Breatharian who lives off light and air
Ukrainian model Valeria Lukyanova claims to ‘have not been hungry at all’ in recent weeks and hopes ‘it’s the final stage before I can subsist on air and light alone,’ she said in a recent interview. The young woman is allegedly part of a Breatharian sect, which has been likened to a cult. The Barbie doll look-alike also claims to be able to talk to aliens and can time travel.
A Ukrainian model who lives her life as a "human Barbie" hopes to become a "Breatharian" who survives off nothing but light and air.
Valeria Lukyanova reportedly stopped eating and drinking water and claims to solely subsisting off "cosmic micro-food."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/human-barbie-strives-live-light-air-article-1.1707932#ixzz2urrj7s42
Ukrainian model Valeria Lukyanova claims to ‘have not been hungry at all’ in recent weeks and hopes ‘it’s the final stage before I can subsist on air and light alone,’ she said in a recent interview. The young woman is allegedly part of a Breatharian sect, which has been likened to a cult. The Barbie doll look-alike also claims to be able to talk to aliens and can time travel.
A Ukrainian model who lives her life as a "human Barbie" hopes to become a "Breatharian" who survives off nothing but light and air.
Valeria Lukyanova reportedly stopped eating and drinking water and claims to solely subsisting off "cosmic micro-food."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/human-barbie-strives-live-light-air-article-1.1707932#ixzz2urrj7s42