Almost died after fasting and drinking only alkaline ionized water mixed with salt

On September 27, a representative of the Central Hospital of Tropical Diseases said that the patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Department after losing 10 kg in 18 days, muscle atrophy, increased liver enzymes, and low nutritional index.

The man had a history of chronic bronchitis. Due to poor health, he went to a traditional healer and was told to drink alkaline ionized water mixed with salt to purify and become healthier. The patient begins a course of drinking alkaline ionized water for 18 days, 10 liters per day, without eating or drinking anything else.

Alkaline ionized water is water created through electrolysis, in which water is separated into H+ and OH- ions. This water usually has a pH higher than 7, is alkaline, and is called electrolyzed water.

After the treatment, he had a high fever of nearly 40 degrees with cough, lots of phlegm, and fatigue. Despite being treated at two medical facilities, the condition did not improve, so the family transferred to the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital. Test results showed low protein levels in the blood, the patient had muscle atrophy and loss of subcutaneous fat, weak muscles, and liver enzyme index increased nearly 5 times compared to normal.

Doctors diagnosed the patient with dengue hemorrhagic fever, pneumonia and wasting on the background of chronic bronchitis. The patient was prescribed a feeding tube because of poor chewing and swallowing ability and high risk of aspiration syndrome when eating and drinking.

Doctor Hoang Thi Thom, Department of Nutrition, said patients currently face many serious risks, including refeeding syndrome. This is a condition in which the body reacts abnormally when receiving nutrients after a long period of fasting, leading to life-threatening complications. Therefore, patients are closely monitored and have meticulous nutritional intervention plans to restore physical condition.

Dr. Vo Duc Linh, Department of Intensive Care, said drinking alkaline ionized water has no scientific basis and does not help replace medicine. If applied for a long time in large doses, it can change the body’s normal pH level, causing metabolic alkalosis, leading to symptoms of nausea, vomiting, muscle convulsions, and tremors in the hands and feet. When combining drinking alkaline water with fasting, it will seriously deplete the body, making the infection more severe and difficult to treat.

“The patient was lucky to be taken to the hospital in time. If he continues to drink alkaline ionized water without eating, the possibility of death is very high,” the doctor said, advising people not to listen when they get sick. Treatment methods lack scientific basis and require examination at specialized medical facilities.