Your Body's Many Cries for Water
Encyclopedia
Your Body's Many Cries for Water by Fereydoon Batamanghelidj is the result of the author's research of water
and the human body's needs for it. The main idea of the book is that thirst is just one of many of the body's ways of indicating that it needs water; he attributes a wide range of diseases as alternate symptoms of dehydration, including asthma
, angina, dyspepsia
, obesity
, and numerous others. As the title says, he believes that humans often do not drink enough water.
Dr. Batmanghelidj's most well-researched claim appears to be his study of dyspeptic pain, of which he conducted while in the unusual position of serving as an imprisononed doctor in Iran. The author also included a section in his book on a controversial alternate theory of AIDS
, which he claims is not caused by HIV
.
In the book, Batamanghelidj does not endorse any particular brand of bottled water, wonder drug, or endorsement of any workout program, but argues that dehydration is the cause of many of mankind's ills.
Batmanghelidji believes that a dry mouth is not the first symptom of thirst but one of the last. In fact, as people age, their ability to recognize thirst decreases. This means they drink less and age even faster. Based on his research, he claims that water can protect people from the following conditions:
His work has received a great deal of criticism, including the idea that some of his conclusions are not properly observed and tested, or a harmless waste of time. He also does not deal with the issue of water intoxication
, which is the over-consumption of water, and which may be fatal. Over-drinking can also lead to salt deficiency, and the flushing out of useful amino acid
s and vitamins. His most controversial claims are that dehydration can be a contributing factor to cancer
and auto-immune disorders, including AIDS
.
Batamanghelidj claimed elsewhere that water provides energy for the body and brain, by splitting into its component hydrogen
and oxygen
. There is no corroborating evidence for this claim.
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
and the human body's needs for it. The main idea of the book is that thirst is just one of many of the body's ways of indicating that it needs water; he attributes a wide range of diseases as alternate symptoms of dehydration, including asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
, angina, dyspepsia
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia , also known as upset stomach or indigestion, refers to a condition of impaired digestion. It is a medical condition characterized by chronic or recurrent pain in the upper abdomen, upper abdominal fullness and feeling full earlier than expected when eating...
, obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
, and numerous others. As the title says, he believes that humans often do not drink enough water.
Dr. Batmanghelidj's most well-researched claim appears to be his study of dyspeptic pain, of which he conducted while in the unusual position of serving as an imprisononed doctor in Iran. The author also included a section in his book on a controversial alternate theory of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, which he claims is not caused by HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
.
In the book, Batamanghelidj does not endorse any particular brand of bottled water, wonder drug, or endorsement of any workout program, but argues that dehydration is the cause of many of mankind's ills.
Batmanghelidji believes that a dry mouth is not the first symptom of thirst but one of the last. In fact, as people age, their ability to recognize thirst decreases. This means they drink less and age even faster. Based on his research, he claims that water can protect people from the following conditions:
- AsthmaAsthmaAsthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
and allergies - ObesityObesityObesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
- High blood cholesterol
- Heart diseaseHeart diseaseHeart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
and strokeStrokeA stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage... - Diabetes
- HypertensionHypertensionHypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and...
- InfectionInfectionAn infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
- DepressionDepression (mood)Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
and Chronic Fatigue SyndromeChronic fatigue syndromeChronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially... - Sleep disorders
- Lack of energy
- AddictionAddictionHistorically, addiction has been defined as physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the chemical milieu of the brain.Addiction can also be viewed as a continued involvement with a substance or activity...
- OsteoporosisOsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
- LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
and LymphomaLymphomaLymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage... - Attention Deficit Disorder
- Hot flushes
- GoutGoutGout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected . However, it may also present as tophi, kidney stones, or urate...
- Kidney stones
His work has received a great deal of criticism, including the idea that some of his conclusions are not properly observed and tested, or a harmless waste of time. He also does not deal with the issue of water intoxication
Water intoxication
Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning, is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by over-consumption of water....
, which is the over-consumption of water, and which may be fatal. Over-drinking can also lead to salt deficiency, and the flushing out of useful amino acid
Amino acid
Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group and a side-chain that varies between different amino acids. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen...
s and vitamins. His most controversial claims are that dehydration can be a contributing factor to cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
and auto-immune disorders, including AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
.
Batamanghelidj claimed elsewhere that water provides energy for the body and brain, by splitting into its component hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
and oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
. There is no corroborating evidence for this claim.