Woman, who weighed 23 kgs, on fruit diet dies of exhaustion; This is what doctor has to say

Woman, who weighed 23 kgs, on fruit diet dies of exhaustion

Sunken eyes, protruding collarbones, yellow fingernails, and deteriorating health—one look at Karolina Krzyak (27) and it was evident something was seriously wrong with her health. This is the story of a woman who died of exhaustion, presumably due to being on a fruit diet. The outcome? She was severely malnourished.

Krzyak died in a Bali hotel room. The hotel staff became alarmed upon seeing her emaciated condition. One staff member shared that Krzyak was unable to return to her room by herself one evening and had to be escorted. Her body showed severe signs of nutrient deficiency, with rotting teeth and yellowing fingernails. Naturally, one would wonder why Krzyak felt compelled to try and continue a fruit diet despite her declining health. While studying yoga and veganism, she was introduced to 'fruitarianism'—a restrictive diet heavily reliant on raw fruit—and eventually adopted it.

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After three days at the hotel, staff grew more suspicious when one of Krzyak's friends called, saying she had not heard from Krzyak since her arrival. Krzyak was found motionless and unresponsive in her room, weighing just 23 kgs at the time of her death.

We spoke to Dr. Sunil Rana, Associate Director and Head of Internal Medicine (Unit III) at Asian Hospital, to understand the downsides of extreme diets. "Extreme diets like the fruitarian diet can be highly dangerous without medical guidance. While fruits are rich in vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants, they lack vital nutrients such as proteins, healthy fats, calcium, vitamin B12, and iron, all essential for proper organ function and metabolism. Prolonged dependence on fruits alone can cause severe nutritional deficiencies, muscle loss, electrolyte imbalance, and even multi-organ failure in extreme cases," he explained. He added that many people adopt restrictive diets believing they detoxify the body, but our liver and kidneys naturally perform that function.

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"True health comes from balance. One must include all major food groups in moderation, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and maintain adequate sleep. Anyone considering a major dietary shift should always seek medical or nutritional advice to avoid irreversible damage to their health," the doctor advised.

Krzyak was reportedly adamant about continuing the fruitarian diet despite repeated requests from friends and family to seek treatment.

FAQs on Fruit Diet:

1. What is a fruit diet?

A fruit diet, also known as fruitarianism, primarily involves consuming raw fruits. Some variations may include nuts and seeds.

2. Can a fruit diet provide all necessary nutrients?

No, a fruit diet lacks essential nutrients such as proteins, healthy fats, calcium, vitamin B12, and iron, which are crucial for proper organ function and overall health.

3. Are there any risks associated with a fruit diet?
Yes, prolonged dependence on a fruit diet can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies, muscle loss, electrolyte imbalance, and even multi-organ failure in extreme cases.

4. Why do people adopt a fruit diet?

Many people believe a fruit diet can detoxify the body, but our liver and kidneys naturally perform this function.

5. Should one seek medical advice before starting a fruit diet?

Yes, it is essential to seek medical or nutritional advice before making any major dietary changes to avoid irreversible health damage.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.