Eddie Van Halen, the legendary guitarist of Van Halen, was known not only for his revolutionary playing but also for his dynamic stage presence and, at times, fluctuating physique. This article delves into the factors that may have contributed to Eddie Van Halen's weight loss and gain over the years, drawing upon anecdotes, observations, and reports.
Early Years: Metabolism, Activity, and Diet
In his younger days, Eddie Van Halen possessed a naturally lean physique. Some have described him in early live stage shots as reminiscent of a guitar-playing Bruce Lee. It has been suggested that he was simply "naturally skinny with low body fat." This natural leanness, combined with the high-energy performances he delivered on stage, likely contributed to his ability to maintain a trim figure. Being onstage for a couple of hours is some fine cardio.
The band's early touring days involved a diet of readily available, often unhealthy, food. There is the famous pic of Ed and Dave in front of a McDonald's, eating a burger with gloves on. While consuming junk food might seem detrimental, young, active bodies can often process it without significant repercussions. "When you're young you can survive on this crap with almost no repercussions."
Many people who knew individuals with similar builds to Eddie during that era have noted that they didn't necessarily work out; it was simply their natural body type. A fast metabolism and an active lifestyle allowed them to burn off calories. "We ate crap, but we went outside and did things to burn it off. Even in our 20's. Unlike many young people of today, we were constantly on the move. Even if it was pumping a beer keg we got some exercise every week."
The '90s: Sobriety and Weight Gain
Eddie Van Halen's physique seemed to change somewhat in the early to mid-1990s. "Eddie was kinda chubby in 1993." This period coincided with his efforts to achieve sobriety. "Didn't he sober-up around the 93-95' years?"
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Quitting drinking can often lead to weight gain. "It's not uncommon for people to put on weight when they quit drinking."
Health Issues and Alternative Medicine
Later in life, Eddie Van Halen faced serious health challenges, including a battle with cancer. Reports suggest he explored alternative medicine, including the Master Cleanse diet, in an attempt to combat the disease.
The Master Cleanse diet, which "temporarily replaces food with a liquid consisting of water, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper," reportedly had adverse effects on Eddie's health. According to the National Enquirer, the Van Halen guitarist's recently reported emergency surgery was complicated because of some painful-sounding (and rather frightening) side effects he suffered after embarking on the Master Cleanse diet. As Radar reports, the program "temporarily replaces food with a liquid consisting of water, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper" -- a concoction that apparently didn't sit well with Eddie's gullet. According to the Enquirer's sources, Eddie's "abdominal region was a disaster area" and the diet "touched off an explosion in his intestines."
The Enquirer went on to quote a doctor (who, we hasten to add, did not treat Van Halen) as saying, "The stress of fad diets increases pressure on the colon, and if the person has diverticulitis there may be leakage from the bowel into the abdomen."
Van Halen spent three weeks in the hospital following his surgery for diverticulitis, and he's expected to take up to six months to fully recover.
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