The 'breatharian' influencer who fasts for 97 days at a time

A so-called breatharian has spoken out about her controversial lifestyle, which sometimes sees her fasting for as many as 97 days in a row.

Audra Bear, 25, is an advocate of breatharianism, also known as pranic living – a lifestyle practice of going without food and in some cases without water.

Prana comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘life air’, and certain followers are taking this translation quite literally.

Audra told The Mirror that her conscious practice of prana means she rarely needs solid food.

“Breath work helps you to realise who you are and what you need or don’t need,” she said

“I never intended to ‘quit food’ I just started practising for 40 minutes a day and after about five days I no longer had a hunger for dense foods. My first fast lasted 97 days.”

Fasting is something of a hot topic this week, with supermodel Naomi Campbell announcing yesterday that she sometimes goes more than a day without eating.

But is this a healthy practice?

“Anyone considering this should talk to their doctor as it may not be suitable for everyone particularly for diabetics on insulin or breastfeeding women,” Dr Sonal Shah, NHS GP and lifestyle medicine expert, told Yahoo UK of the intermittent fasting.

With over 5k followers Audra is spreading her message with fans who are quick to praise her choices.

“Its an amazing thing to me that your awareness is up as much as it is.. I plan on taking a similar path as you,” one fan wrote on a photo of the alternate lifestyle advocate posing in a bikini.

Audra joins a long list of people advocating for a different lifestyle, though many have been rebuked by professionals.

Controversial cook Pete Evans recently released a book that has divided readers over its seemingly healthy message, and some eyebrow-raising recommendations

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