WA man Matthew Whitby nearly died after taking two popular dietary supplements
A 27-YEAR-OLD WA man who nearly died after consuming two weight loss products has warned others about the dangers of some popular dietary supplements.
In 2014, Matthew Whitby, from Geraldton, drank a pre-workout protein shake and consumed a weight-loss supplement he purchased online from a Melbourne-based store.
Within a week, he was experiencing severe fatigue and jaundice.
The symptoms persisted two months later, so he took himself to hospital, where he was diagnosed with liver failure.
Given two weeks to live, Mr Whitby needed an emergency liver transplant. His only choice was to accept a liver with hepatitis B.
“I have to take a tablet everyday for the rest of my life, but I’m just grateful to be here,” Mr Whitby told news.com.au.
Mr Whitby in hospital.Source:Supplied
Doctors say the substance that most likely caused his condition was green tea extract, an ingredient which is approved for sale in Australia.
“I didn’t really think green tea extract could be harmful,” Mr Whitby said.
“I did a bit of research before [buying the powder]. It had good reviews and because it was Australian I felt more confident buying it.”
The other substance Mr Whitby used was a weight-loss supplement containing 70 per cent Garcinia cambogia, according to his case report, which was outlined in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit used in many weight loss supplements — the infamous television personality Dr Oz claims it is a weight loss “holy grail” —despite being linked to several cases of liver failure.
Mr Whitby with his two young children.Source:Supplied
Products like garcinia cambogia supplements are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), but others like green tea extract are harder to regulate as they are classified as a food.
Dr Jon Wardle from the University of Technology says green tea extract is fine in small doses, but consuming too much can turn the liver “into mash”. Green tea is still safe to drink in moderate amounts.
“Green tea extract is used in some body building and weight loss products because there is quite a bit of evidence out there demonstrating that it has a fat burning effect and it boosts your metabolism,” Dr Wardle told news.com.au.
“But it’s an extract, which is already a concentrated product. The dose written on the label is generally safe. If you take a big spoonful of the extract that could be like drinking 40-50 cups of green tea,” he said.
Mr Whitby has now recovered and wants to warn people about the dangers of some dietary supplements.Source:Supplied
Dr Wardle said people thinking about taking a supplement should consult a qualified health professional beforehand.
“There are lot of self-taught diet and exercise experts out there who don’t have any training. Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.”
Mr Whitby, who is married with two young children, wants to warn others against taking supplements.
“I wouldn’t wish what I went through on anyone,” he said.
“Do your research and ask your doctor about the product before taking it. I wouldn’t recommend shakes in general, just diet and exercise.
“Hopefully [my case] will convince people to do it the natural way. I learnt that the hard way.”
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/he...s/news-story/33b27e4f5d872815581e43fa50e27f4f
A 27-YEAR-OLD WA man who nearly died after consuming two weight loss products has warned others about the dangers of some popular dietary supplements.
In 2014, Matthew Whitby, from Geraldton, drank a pre-workout protein shake and consumed a weight-loss supplement he purchased online from a Melbourne-based store.
Within a week, he was experiencing severe fatigue and jaundice.
The symptoms persisted two months later, so he took himself to hospital, where he was diagnosed with liver failure.
Given two weeks to live, Mr Whitby needed an emergency liver transplant. His only choice was to accept a liver with hepatitis B.
“I have to take a tablet everyday for the rest of my life, but I’m just grateful to be here,” Mr Whitby told news.com.au.
Mr Whitby in hospital.Source:Supplied
Doctors say the substance that most likely caused his condition was green tea extract, an ingredient which is approved for sale in Australia.
“I didn’t really think green tea extract could be harmful,” Mr Whitby said.
“I did a bit of research before [buying the powder]. It had good reviews and because it was Australian I felt more confident buying it.”
The other substance Mr Whitby used was a weight-loss supplement containing 70 per cent Garcinia cambogia, according to his case report, which was outlined in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit used in many weight loss supplements — the infamous television personality Dr Oz claims it is a weight loss “holy grail” —despite being linked to several cases of liver failure.
Mr Whitby with his two young children.Source:Supplied
Products like garcinia cambogia supplements are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), but others like green tea extract are harder to regulate as they are classified as a food.
Dr Jon Wardle from the University of Technology says green tea extract is fine in small doses, but consuming too much can turn the liver “into mash”. Green tea is still safe to drink in moderate amounts.
“Green tea extract is used in some body building and weight loss products because there is quite a bit of evidence out there demonstrating that it has a fat burning effect and it boosts your metabolism,” Dr Wardle told news.com.au.
“But it’s an extract, which is already a concentrated product. The dose written on the label is generally safe. If you take a big spoonful of the extract that could be like drinking 40-50 cups of green tea,” he said.
Mr Whitby has now recovered and wants to warn people about the dangers of some dietary supplements.Source:Supplied
Dr Wardle said people thinking about taking a supplement should consult a qualified health professional beforehand.
“There are lot of self-taught diet and exercise experts out there who don’t have any training. Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.”
Mr Whitby, who is married with two young children, wants to warn others against taking supplements.
“I wouldn’t wish what I went through on anyone,” he said.
“Do your research and ask your doctor about the product before taking it. I wouldn’t recommend shakes in general, just diet and exercise.
“Hopefully [my case] will convince people to do it the natural way. I learnt that the hard way.”
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/he...s/news-story/33b27e4f5d872815581e43fa50e27f4f
