Beverly Hills Diet: Author Dies Aged 63

According to the diet, papaya softens body fat, pineapple burns it off and watermelon flushes it out of the body. Discuss...

Enzyme (papain), enzyme (bromelain), diuretic (water), respectively.

However, I can't say whether or not this works!

Bromelain, though, has been used to treat tendon injury. It's known to help condition the tendon, break down the injured tissue enzymatically, so that it can be better rebuilt.

"According to the diet, papaya softens body fat, pineapple burns it off and watermelon flushes it out of the body. Discuss..."

Well, there's my problem. After living in Kenya for 18.5 years, I had eaten tons of fresh, tree-ripened papaya and lots of stalk-ripened pineapple. I guess I had trouble keeping my weight in check because I didn't eat enough watermelon to flush the fat out. (Hmmm. Wonder where the fat ashes were stored when they weren't flushed out after being burned off by the pineapple?)

Speculating (or implying speculation) that her diet led to her death is approximately the same reasoning that leads to diet myths in general. It goes like this: "I want it to be true, therefore I believe it's true".

According to the diet, papaya softens body fat, pineapple burns it off and watermelon flushes it out of the body. Discuss...

Does anyone actually believe this stuff?? I mean, theoretically, Kailash hit the nail on the head. I doubt it works when you eat the enzymes though. Most enzymes in food are broken down in the digestive tract and don't function anymore...the pH alone of the stomach is enough to denature most enzymes. Of course, it's still a good idea to eat fruits. I eat a lot of papaya and pineapple and apples and other fruits and I don't have a lot of fat on me, so hey, I guess she has a point. However, most of her "fat loss" theories are probably based more on the fact that you only get 800 calories a day, not on the whole food combination mumbo jumbo :)

Even though I don't count calories, the simplest problem with this diet (and it definitely sounds like a diet, NOT a lifestyle....therefore it will fail longterm...) is that it's only 800 calories a day. This will royally mess up your metabolism and help your body easily gain weight after you stop following it.

I think everyone will do anything to lose weight except exercise and eat right!...the only thing that really works!

I could never understand fad diets. Less calories in with more calories burned always worked well enough for me. A variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein and dairy sources are key to good health. Of course, this is coming from someone who has dropped 22 pounds in the last 2 months because of an recent mystery health disorder that has seriously diminished my appitite and caused me to be unable to eat certain proteins and grains. So now I'm struggling to maintain my weight on a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet and haunting Dr offices trying to find an answer. I can no longer make fun of the woman in the NutriSystem ad who gushes about being a size 2, because I'm now a size 1. I look like a skeleton, appropriate for Halloween, but not for the rest of the year. Bathing suit season is going to stink if I don't regain some weight before Spring.

I find all of your post-mortum comments on Judy's diet rude and in bad taste - if nothing else, late. However unconventional her concepts, she helped MILLIONS of people lose weight permanently in their lives. What a blessing to have such an innovator and visionary willing to put it all on the line.

You are whimps at best. Why don't you create your own quarter-century-successful diet on a best seller list twice and dedicate your life to helping others?

Eliminate red meat, dairy and anything white [bread, rice, pasta] and you will live to be 100 ...

I agree with Ben. The woman died of complications from a physical ailment. I am sure her diet theory promised to keep the follower from peripheral artery disease. We need to see the facts here and stop blaming her diet, as ridiculous as it was.

OOOPS....I am sure her diet theory DID NOT promise to keep the follower from PAD !

Spectra said:
However, most of her "fat loss" theories are probably based more on the fact that you only get 800 calories a day, not on the whole food combination mumbo jumbo :) [...]

Agree completely!

Eating fruits is good for the body no doubt. But please stop telling us it's because of some "magical" interactions in your body.

Honestly people, I don't see where in this posting where it's implied that her death was due to her diet. It's just a death notice with a summary of her diet plan. As I don't follow diets named after places with obsessive self-image issues, I'm unfamiliar with it. Doesn't look like fun, though.

I HAVE BEEN ON THIS DIET,AND IT ABSOLUTELY WORKS! BUT NOT FOR FAT PEOLPE WHO THINK YOU CAN BE ON THE DIET ,AND THEN EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT!! iF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ON IT , DON'T KNOCK IT!!

Jo, the diet isn't for fat people? lol Eating 800 calories per day isn't healthy and it was/is a fad diet. However I'm sorry she died and I feel bad for her family.

Unless you read her diet book you would not know that Judy Mazel struggled with obesity all through childhood and into adulthood. Unless you read her book, you would not know how many treatments she endured, how many fat clinics she was put into by her parents trying to find a cure. The thing you don't mention is that Judy Mazel succeeded in keeping a weight of 108 for over 20 yrs by using her diet lifestyle. She didn't eat 800 calories a day after she lost her weight. But you wouldn't know that unless you read her book. Kudos to a woman who tried to share her success with everyone who experienced the trials and tribulations of obestity, even when eating a 1200 calorie diet.

I want to thank everyone for their input on this one.

I have to re-emphasize that I am NOT inferring that Ms. Mazel died because of her diet/lifestyle. When I heard the story though, my first instinct was to wonder why a relatively young dietary "icon" died of a heart condition. Having no insight into her genetic make-up or lifestyle habits, I cannot and will not speculate that her diet had anything to do with her demise (thanks Christine for your comment).

OKS - appreciate your insight but I have a couple of thoughts on your comments...

OKS said:
I find all of your post-mortum comments on Judy's diet rude and in bad taste - if nothing else, late.[...]

I don't think anyone should be immune to criticism, posthumously or not. To me, this was her legacy. I don't balk at criticizing Stalin just because he is deceased. In terms of it being late, Mazel died Oct 12th. My wife went into labour that day - my apologies. But still, this isn't a daily newspaper.

OKS said:
However unconventional her concepts, she helped MILLIONS of people lose weight permanently in their lives. [...]

I don't have a problem with unconventional - except when people try to sell quackery as "unconventional". As for her helping millions? I would seriously doubt that millions of people KEPT the weight off that they lost through this diet.

OKS said:
You are whimps at best. Why don't you create your own quarter-century-successful diet on a best seller list twice and dedicate your life to helping others?[...]

I'd like to think that some of us play a small part in helping others by steering them away from fad diets such as the one you are trying to defend. I have no response for your name-calling.

I thank you for your comments.

Well first off I am not a scientist, so I don't know specifics on Papaya melting fat BUT I have done this diet and I can tell you that the author of this article is wrong when he says the calories are only 800 a day. Sometimes they are well over 2,000 as you are not limited on how much you eat of each type of foods. Matter of fact she gave you minimums on how much to eat, the max is always up to you. She also reccomends taking daily vitamins and of course exercise. I lost 40 lbs. on this diet and I thought it was awesome. I had a lot of energy when I did it, I was always full, and I felt a whole lot healthier. I think the author of this article should read the book not just skim it.

So many people are making comments that are wrong.

First of all, the diet is not 800 calories. The article is incorrect. It is a food-combining diet, not a deprivation diet (the new plan is not all fruit for 10 days - you eat corn on the cob dripping in butter right from the first day). It's based on the principles of eating fruit, starches, and protein foods at separate meals. Judy didn't invent food combining, it's been around for hundreds of years. It worked for her and she perfected a plan based on it that would help others. Judy DIDN'T die of heart disease, she had a stroke (which, at 108 pounds, probably was not diet related). True, her theories are totally different than the medical community's, but the medical community hasn't been too successful at beating the obesity epidemic. So maybe we should open our minds to other alternatives and accept that classical, western medicine might be out in left field on the obesity crisis. Even if you think her diet is hokum, at least have some respect for a woman who spent her life trying (and succeeding) at helping others.

I have been on Judy's diet and lost over 40 pounds twice. My reason for saying "twice" is because when I lost the weight the first time, I returned to eating the way I previously ate. Ms. Mazel suffered earlier in her life struggling with her weight. I felt as if she became a friend although I never met her. Please do not make disrespectful comments if you do not know what you are speaking about.

All I know is that I tried this Diet and It really works
I lost more that 12 in the fist week

I am so sorry she died so young, I did the BHD in 1988, 2 car accidents and 100 # gain later, I found the book again Jan 2 - Fed 14 25 lost today 29 # off. I lost 45 # 20 yrs ago, but didn't follow the simple rules. They are simple to me because my life is on the line, I can not carry this wt around any longer , my spine screams from pain hard to breathe, on disability, since the 29 # off, feel like i can see the light at the end of the tunnel. yes it is lo cal but only at the begining, fruits washed away a lot for me. been constipated half my life, what a differance, my spine likes the "pressure" off the back. I enjoyed the fruit but when it came to steak or lobster, lobster expense and not much there, i enjoyed the 2 ribeyes with garlic ceyenne paprika bl pepper and grilled, all by it's pretty little self. I planned my cheat Feb 16 at a chuch dinner, Italian big time and eat grapes the next day Try it you'll like it weeks 3,4,5, over and over when I reach my goal. eat right, check scale and correct withthe right fruit and go on. My bad haits were here 63 yrs and the rest will be playing with my food and losing write me copperapples2@aol.com oh, my co worker said your bottom is getting smaller Whitedove

So Judy Mazel is dead.

I am really sorry to read that. The only reason I am looking at this website is because I have like my namesake Carol on 01/19/08 been on the diet.

Only people who have been on the diet deserve to comment.

Funny, but I have returned to the diet again this week, and I am now on day 2.

Judy never failed me; my happiest times were when I followed her diet 19 years ago.

The results were amazing, I felt, looked and realised my dream and looked as I had always thought I could and would. I was very happy then.

If for nothing else I will remember you Judy.

Thank you and God bless.

I think it is horrible that you attacked what she died from saying that her advise was not credible. You are just plain old mean. I have used this diet ever since 1982 and it always works for me. It just simply shows you a different way of eating. Everybody balks at fad diets, but millions continue to use them. I have been exercising for the past two years with cardio and weights, etc. But when it comes to getting the fat off my body, only the Beverly Hills Diet has been able to do this for me. Eating right does not cut it unless you are able to measure the calories and fat of everything you put in your mouth. Its just unrealistic. Obviously a fad diet can only get the pounds off quickly, after that, you have to figure out a way to keep them off and not return to old bad habits. Her book tells you exactly that. If you cant' find your own way, you can use the way she described and it works!

Well, I hate the be the conflicting voice here but I went on her diet twice in twenty years and both times the results were spectacular - 25 lbs lost in a month, high energy, radiant skin - I am not saying everything that is written in her book is scientifically correct and frankly I don't even care but the results are there!

Ihave both of Judy's book, I love the books, and I will truely miss Judy, I thought did wonders of helping people like my self.
thank you.
Suzanne Butler Wright

Estou fazendo a terceira semana da dieta e até agora emagreci 4,6 quilos. Não me sinto mal e tão pouco fraca. Estou disposta a continuar. Iniciei pesando 87,6 quilos nos meu 1,55 m de altura. Preciso emagrecer para meu próprio bem.

Ihave both of Judy's book, I love the books, and I will truely miss Judy, I thought did wonders of helping people like my self.
thank you.

((also me )))

hi

i am from saudi arabi

thank judi so much

24 yrs ago tried the bhd and never felt better, hair shone, energy levels high, weight loss, unbelievable, fun to do
going to lose 2 stone b4 xmas, know I will achieve this, no problem, beauty of this diet is its not a diet it can become a lifestyle and there is no limit and no calorie counting, where does the 800 cals a day come into the picture? Judy always tells you never be hungry, conscious combining is the secret....has anyone read this book? OK I did go off the rails for a few years but now cannot wait to start again, time to look out my little black dress again.......will miss you Judy, thank you for making me like me again x

Wow Mike, if you were ever to somehow suddenly become aware of the true depth of your ignorance I think the shock of it would leave you no other course of action but to throw yourself off a cliff; which would be a gift to the rest of us not stuck in the "Medicine knows all and has all the answers" paradigm. Hopefully your demise will come sooner, not later and spare the world anymore of your blinding ignorance.

I just started reading the BHD book. I think maybe I found it at a Thrift Store. I had been on Weight Watchers in the past and lost 20 pounds. Since Hurricane Katrina and eating out so much and not exercising for whatever reason..I let myself go. I have been struggling to lose just 20 pounds. I am 5'3 and weigh 155. I am 53 years old and just can't seem to lose the weight. I can't seem to put the BHD book down. I just started reading it and I'm convinced already that I will be well on my way to a healtier system and will shed those 20 pounds in no time at all. I decided to Google the info on the BHD and was very sad to find out that she has died. To all of the positive people -- Thanks for sharing your stories.

THE BEVERLY HILLS DIET DOES WORK. I WAS ON IT FOR A LONG WHILE. I LOST 40 POUNDS AND IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO GET OFF OF THE DIET. I LOVED THE WAY SHE HAD IT LAYED OUT AND THE THERAPY THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT. I WAS VERY SADDENED BY HER DEATH. BUT I COULD DO A COMMERICIAL FOR THIS DIET. I WILL BE GOING BACK ON THE DIET. I NEED A REFREASHER.

I was on this diet in early 1985 for 2 months and I lost almost 40 pounds. I don't care HOW this diet works, or WHY I lost this weight, I am just thankful I did lose all the weight. Unluckily I lost the book and I don't get it here in Germany. If you know how I can get a copy or at least the food list for those first 6 weeks pls email me at shnoodsle@hotmail.de. Thanks a load!

What ever diet system you follow,

it will work better and keep you healthier if you include regular brisk walking - 1 KM to 5 KM or jogging.

Start using the 'wonder diet Trifla'

Stick to seasonal fresh fruits and vegs.
Improve breathing rythm by breathing out while pulling your tummy in.

Sounds like many comments are from people who never made it past the intense 10 day start-up or read the entire diet. Once you get past the 10 day "fruit fast" you go into more traditional phases where you reintroduce fats, proteins, carbs, etc. Once you are in maintenance, you typically just eat fruit for breakfast unless you were a real glutten the day before or see your weight starts moving up then you add a lunch of fruit as well. Takes about 6 weeks to make it through the full reintroduction process. What it does do is make gluttens (like myself!) more concious of what they are popping in their mouth. I've used it several times with great success. Making it all the way to the maintenance phase and maintaining the weight loss.