Herbalist doctor to attempt 49-day fast for world record

Home>>Sci-Edu

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, March 08, 2004

Herbalist doctor to attempt 49-day fast for world record

A 50-year-old Chinese herbalist doctor announced Sunday he will fast for 49 days to challenge the world record of 44 days set by US magician David Blaine in October in London.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

A 50-year-old Chinese herbalist doctor announced Sunday he will fast for 49 days to challenge the world record of 44 days set by US magician David Blaine in October in London.

A second-generation doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, Chen Jianmin will begin the life-challenging adventure on March 20.He will have no food, but he will drink water over the 49-day ordeal.

Chen, of Luzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, said his fast would "attest to the regimen of traditional Chinese medical science".

The record attempt would take place in Bifengxia Valley, a mountain resort in neighboring Ya'an City, and be monitored by 50 witnesses invited from around the world.

Chen claims to have undergone long-term fasting on three previous occasions in 1987, 1994 and 1999. He says the longest lasted 81 days, during which he ate no food but only drank water, while going to work regularly.

Experts of Western medicine questioned Chen's the wisdom of fasting for such a long time. An physiologist at Sichuan University, who declined to be named, said modern medical research showed the average person could survive only seven days without food or water, and he dismissed Chen's claim of an 81-day fast as definitely impossible.

Chen said he would break the record through his method of "pigushengong" or "the magic of fasting", which had been documented in ancient Chinese medicine documents or Buddhist scriptures.

Liang Chao, a gastrointestinal doctor with the Chengdu Chinese Medicine University, said "pigu shengong" resembled a legendary practice in the Hindu discipline of yoga, in which people were buried deep underground for long periods without suffering any harm, but this practice was questionable, Liang said.

Liang suggested a thorough physical and psychological examination for the challenger before the venture that could put his life at risk.

Questions?Comments? Click here

HK receives grants for Chinese medicine study projects

HK experts promote Chinese medicine as a remedy for cancer

Japanese media follows changes regarding 3 ' most-wanted' things for Chinese families ( 2 Messages)

It is unexpectedly easy to defeat "China Threat" theory: Japanese economist ( 17 Messages)

Scientific concept of development crucial to China's future growth: Premier ( 4 Messages)

China issues human rights record of the US ( 4 Messages)

China to promote "cocktail weight loss therapy" in response to WHO plan ( 2 Messages)