Woman develops brain disorder after water-only diet in China, left walking like a penguin

A 31-year-old Chinese woman developed Wernicke's encephalopathy after consuming only water for 15 days as part of the Taoist "bigu" fasting practice. She lost about 20 kg but later experienced memory problems and difficulty walking. Doctors said her gait resembled a penguin's and warned it could be permanent, attributing her condition to severe nutritional deficiencies caused by prolonged fasting.