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 imprisoned 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:
- Asthma and allergies
- Obesity
- High blood cholesterol
- Heart disease and stroke
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Infection
- Depression and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Sleep disorders
- Lack of energy
- Addiction
- Osteoporosis
- Leukemia and Lymphoma
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Hot flushes
- Gout
- 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, 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 acids 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.
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