Health2 min(s) read
A warning has been issued by healthcare professionals after a woman died having partaken in the extreme ‘fruitarian’ diet.
Karolina Krzyzak was found dead in Bali, weighing just 3.5 stone after she took up the fruitarian diet, a radical diet which reportedly claims “detox” benefits, with dieters consuming just fruit.
The 27-year-old woman was left seriously malnourished, with her death caused, in part, by starvation.
Krzyzak had been diagnosed with osteoporosis and an albumin deficiency, according to reports, both of which are commonly linked to prolonged starvation and malnutrition.
According to Dr Murugesh Manjunatha, who was approached by HT Lifestyle to understand the harm extreme diets can cause, the gastroenterological expert revealed that restrictive diets can prove fatal.
“Diets consisting of only fruits or other highly restrictive patterns can throw gastrointestinal functions off track and lead to severe nutritional deficiencies.
"While fruits provide vitamins and antioxidants, they lack proteins, fats, calcium, iron, vitamin B12, and even adequate carbohydrates needed for energy balance,” Dr Manjunatha said.
He added: “Such deficiencies can weaken the intestinal lining, slow gut motility, and disturb electrolyte levels, eventually straining multiple organs.”
Dr Manjunatha, a consultant at Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, explained how a balanced diet is imperative to the body functioning healthily.
"A consistent, balanced diet is vital for the healthy functioning of every organ in the body, not just the liver, pancreas, and gut,” he claimed.
He continued by saying: “Extreme dieting trends promoted as detox plans often cause poor digestion, bloating, and nutritional collapse over time. The foundation of a healthy diet lies in balance, combining fruits and vegetables with sufficient proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to sustain the body's nutritional reserves."
Dr Sunil Havannavar, a senior consultant of internal medicine at Manipal Hospital Sarjapur, echoed that of his counterpart.
"These nutrients are vital for maintaining organ function, bone health, and metabolism,” he admitted.
He added: “A diet made up solely of fruits can cause severe protein-energy malnutrition, leading to muscle loss, anemia, and electrolyte imbalances.
'Over time, the body enters a starvation state where metabolism slows, bones weaken, and organs begin to fail."
He also warns about the effect of excessive consumption of fruit: "High fructose intake can elevate blood sugar levels, trigger insulin resistance, and increase the risk of fatty liver disease.
"Extreme diets like this can eventually result in cognitive decline, fatigue, and in severe cases, multi-organ dysfunction or death.
"A balanced diet with adequate carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and micronutrients is essential for sustaining health and preventing long-term damage."
