The Detox Diet That Caused Brain Damage...

i just can't believe that a professional would risk someone's life by not researching first and thinking of the reaction that person might have to a diet change- most of all, i can't believe she didn't listen to her patient- it makes us feel so stupid and helpless when you go to a doctor with something and all they say is "its nothing, you'll be fine"- even vets take the time to make sure before releasing an animal, i just dont get it.

I agree... extreme is dangerous. And it's such a shame the warning signals weren't pick up on, especially vomiting. Vomiting a detox symptom? Never heard of that one.

I hope it doesn't put sick people of detoxing though -- NOT by buying detox products, or enemas or colonics or living on seaweed for a month, or drinking excess water... but just by making your diet lighter to allow the body extra healing time. This can be a very good thing to do in certain circumstances.

Softly softly is generally the best way to influence health in my view.

~Mike.

Wow. That nutritionist should have known better if she was educated. I'm familiar with the nutritionist laws in the U.S. (in most states almost any one can call themselves a "nutritionist" but you have to be licensed to be a registered dietitian), but I'm not familiar with the laws in England. Does anyone know if this nutritionist had to have any credentials or degrees?

Holy Crap!

Why the hell would anyone tell someone to do that, let alone a "professional" Limit sodium intake, then drink as much water as you possibly can. I'm sure she told her to exercise too, which made her lose even more sodium. Very smart.

Our bodies NEED sodium...and we can die from drinking too much water.

Anyone remember the lady who died last year from that stupid radio station contest here in the US? The contest made her drink as much water as possible and she died.

Ed

That is is so tragic!

I think dieters really need to empower themselves and really become educated on what it is they are doing/eating. Having studied psychology and communication theory in college, it's been documented that many people tend to overly defer to authority figures.

This is sad lesson that we can all learn from. Knowing what you are doing to your body as far as exercise and knowing what it is you are eating (or not eating) is an important first step to becoming a knowledgeable and proactive dieter.

"the 'nutritionist' assured her that "vomiting was a normal part of the detox programme."

This is the part that really irks me... the women had serious symptoms passed off as "normal". No diet or detox plan should leave you nauseated, weak, irritable or with any other extreme symptom. I'm sure the vomiting was passed off as "toxins leaving your body".

This is sad to hear. I'm not a fan of diets that call for drastic changes. Many diets are created strictly for financial gain, and the side effects are not fully known. It's important when starting a diet to make sure that there is unbiased scientific studies that show the effectiveness and safeness of the program.

Stories like this always make me think twice about detox programs. I mean, I can see some value in periodically taking a break from eating fatty foods and just eating fruits and veggies for a day or so, but programs like this where you severely limit your sodium and mess with your electrolytes are really dangerous. I've heard of people getting colonics done by amateurs and ending up with perforated bowels too...definitely scary.

It sounds like the "nutritionist" that was recommending this program was a scam artist who was just trying to make a buck. Anyone who says vomiting is a "normal" part of a detox program is seriously off their rocker.

Gee, I always assume if I'm puking something is WRONG! With the internet, anyone can research a decent medical website and get some information right of. Or just research particular diets and find out if they're nutty or safe.

How people undertake major dietary changes without SOME personal looking up of info just goes to show we're 1. dumb and 2. so desperate to lose X pounds and fit in Y size that we throw normal human caution to the wind.

If we were eating a meal and started puking, we'd assume something was definitely OFF. But a person calls themselves and "expert" and we just listen to them, blindly.

Man. That's so sad.

"vomiting was a normal part of the detox programme."

What?! She is clearly not a nutritionist. Even someone with a basic understanding of diet would know vomiting is not normal...

The seizure may not have been connected to the diet (which involved only 2 to 3 quarts of water a day -- 8 x 8 is 2 quarts). This was a pre-trial settlement between an insurance company and the woman. They didn't want to go in front of a jury, since juries can be really unpredictable in these kinds of cases. Most of the "symptoms" the woman had (loss of memory, etc.) are impossible to disprove. During the negotiations they had the opportunity to observe the demeaner of the victim, and they knew how their client came off also, and they made a decision to cut their losses.

I tried the Master Cleanse and on day two I was extremely constipated and vomiting. My husband (a doctor) practically held me down and force fed me as I wanted to continue the stupid thing. I would never try it again in a million years.

This is a case of 2 stupid people. One was stupid for taking advantage of this woman and giving her horrible advice and supplying her with damaging advice. The other was stupid for listening and being desperate enough to believe this crap.

For sinking diet plans to a new low. Nutrtionist Barbara Nash is hereby awarded the title of "Honorary Worst Role Model In the World!"