When a patient falls ill and is admitted to a hospital, typically their fever, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration are measured. But what’s really happening inside the body—how much water has been lost, how much fat or muscle has changed—these questions often remain unanswered. According to Dr. Abu Khaled, this unknown aspect is the greatest weakness of modern medical science. In his words, “Accurate treatment is impossible without knowing the body’s water and fat balance.” This very realization deeply involved him in research on human nutrition and body composition.
If we think of the human body as a machine, then unless every part inside is balanced, the machine does not function properly. A large portion of the body’s total weight is water. This water isn’t just for quenching thirst—it’s essential for blood circulation, nutrient transport, and temperature regulation. Similarly, body fat is not just an energy reserve—an excess increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Yet, in our everyday medical practices, the internal composition of the body is rarely measured on a regular basis.
Dr. Abu Khaled has shown that the body’s internal balance changes rapidly during illness. For instance, in diseases like diarrhea or cholera, the body’s water and electrolytes decrease very quickly. On the other hand, long-term malnutrition causes the body’s proteins to break down, leading to muscle wasting. Often, these changes are not apparent just by observing the patient from outside. As a result, treatment plans can go awry—some patients receive less fluid than needed, while others get too much. Both situations carry risks.
Dr. Khaled’s major contribution in this area is popularizing scientific methods for calculating the body’s internal metrics. Through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), proportions of water and fat in the body can be determined. This is done by passing a small electrical current through the body. Water conducts electricity easily, while fat resists it—this property forms the basis for determining the body’s inner composition. As a result, the patient’s actual condition can be understood in numbers, not just estimates.
This method is particularly effective for children. For malnourished children, simply gaining weight does not always mean they are getting healthier. If the weight gain comes mainly from fat, and not from muscle or protein, their physical development will be hampered in the future. Dr. Khaled’s work has shown that measuring body composition reveals whether a child’s growth is on a healthy path. Even for premature babies, monitoring internal water balance can help predict their risk levels early on.
According to Dr. Abu Khaled, treatment in developed countries is becoming increasingly data-driven. Decisions are being made based not just on symptoms, but on measurable data. However, in countries like Bangladesh, medical decisions still often depend on experience and estimation. He believes that if technology for easily measuring internal body data becomes cheap and accessible, it could transform the healthcare system in our country. If the hydration and nutritional status of patients can be quickly assessed even in rural health centers, treatment will become more accurate and safer.
The most important point is—Dr. Khaled’s perspective calls for a shift in our way of thinking about healthcare. Instead of judging illness only by external symptoms, making decisions based on understanding the body’s internal balance is the path to modern medicine. Because the human body is a complex system—without knowing the internal metrics, it is impossible to truly care for that system.
Read Dr. Khaled’s full interview:
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