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| Woman left brain damaged by detox | Woman left brain damaged by detox |
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| A woman has been awarded more than £800,000 after she suffered permanent brain damage while on a detox diet. | A woman has been awarded more than £800,000 after she suffered permanent brain damage while on a detox diet. |
| The High Court heard Dawn Page, 52, began vomiting uncontrollably after starting The Amazing Hydration Diet. | The High Court heard Dawn Page, 52, began vomiting uncontrollably after starting The Amazing Hydration Diet. |
| Mrs Page, from Wiltshire, later had an epileptic seizure which damaged her memory, speech and concentration. | Mrs Page, from Wiltshire, later had an epileptic seizure which damaged her memory, speech and concentration. |
| Her nutritionist Barbara Nash has denied any wrongdoing and the High Court ratified the settlement without mention of liability. | Her nutritionist Barbara Nash has denied any wrongdoing and the High Court ratified the settlement without mention of liability. |
| The court heard Mrs Page, from Faringdon, near Swindon, claimed Mrs Nash told her to drink large amounts of water and reduce her salt intake when she started the diet in October 2001. | The court heard Mrs Page, from Faringdon, near Swindon, claimed Mrs Nash told her to drink large amounts of water and reduce her salt intake when she started the diet in October 2001. |
| She told the High Court that when she started vomiting Mrs Nash told her it was a normal part of the detoxification process. | She told the High Court that when she started vomiting Mrs Nash told her it was a normal part of the detoxification process. |
| Her life has been seriously affected, perhaps ruined, by this fad-type way of losing weight Geoff Page | |
| Less than a week into the regime, mother-of-two Mrs Page had to be taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in Swindon after suffering a severe epileptic seizure. Doctors diagnosed low salt levels in her body - known as hyponatraemia or water intoxication. | Less than a week into the regime, mother-of-two Mrs Page had to be taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in Swindon after suffering a severe epileptic seizure. Doctors diagnosed low salt levels in her body - known as hyponatraemia or water intoxication. |
| She has been left with "cognitive deficit" which she says has forced her to give up work as a conference organiser. | |
| Her husband Geoff, 54, said: "Her life has been seriously affected, perhaps ruined, by this fad-type way of losing weight, which I can only say is a dangerous method of weight loss." | Her husband Geoff, 54, said: "Her life has been seriously affected, perhaps ruined, by this fad-type way of losing weight, which I can only say is a dangerous method of weight loss." |
| He said his wife had previously tried several other diets and had been told to drink four pints of water a day by Mrs Nash. | He said his wife had previously tried several other diets and had been told to drink four pints of water a day by Mrs Nash. |
| He said: "Just days after she started the Hydration Diet, she began to feel unwell and started vomiting. | He said: "Just days after she started the Hydration Diet, she began to feel unwell and started vomiting. |
| 'Bad to worse' | 'Bad to worse' |
| "Things went from bad to worse, and within another couple of days she collapsed with the fit." | "Things went from bad to worse, and within another couple of days she collapsed with the fit." |
| Mr Page told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme that his wife was now on anti-epilepsy medication and mood-stabilising drugs. | Mr Page told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme that his wife was now on anti-epilepsy medication and mood-stabilising drugs. |
| "Appreciating and learning new things is difficult for her," he said. "Her life is quite structured and to a large degree written down for her." | "Appreciating and learning new things is difficult for her," he said. "Her life is quite structured and to a large degree written down for her." |
| Mrs Nash's insurance company agreed to pay out £810,000 in an out-of-court settlement, but in a statement her lawyers denied any liability. HYPONATRAEMIA Drinking too much water lowers the level of salt in the bloodWater then moves from the diluted blood into cells and organs where there is less waterThis causes the cells in the brain to swell, increasing the pressure inside the skullAs the brain is squeezed, vital regions are compressed and seizures can be triggered href="/1/hi/health/7521137.stm">Dangers of too much detox | |
| Plexus Law said: "On behalf of our client we wish to make it clear that all allegations of substandard practice made on behalf of Mrs Page in the litigation have always been and continue to remain firmly denied. | Plexus Law said: "On behalf of our client we wish to make it clear that all allegations of substandard practice made on behalf of Mrs Page in the litigation have always been and continue to remain firmly denied. |
| "Equally, the information contained in the medical records suggesting that Mrs Page appeared to have drunk five litres of water on the day that she was admitted to hospital, and therefore disregarded advice given by our client, were also denied by Mrs Page. | "Equally, the information contained in the medical records suggesting that Mrs Page appeared to have drunk five litres of water on the day that she was admitted to hospital, and therefore disregarded advice given by our client, were also denied by Mrs Page. |
| "In our view as a recognition of this, the settlement amount agreed to be paid was less than half the total amount claimed and the compromise which was offered and accepted was on the basis of no admission of liability." | "In our view as a recognition of this, the settlement amount agreed to be paid was less than half the total amount claimed and the compromise which was offered and accepted was on the basis of no admission of liability." |
| Hyponatraemia can result when a person drinks too much water. This dilutes their blood and causes water to flood their cells and organs. | Hyponatraemia can result when a person drinks too much water. This dilutes their blood and causes water to flood their cells and organs. |
| Cells in the brain can then swell up, increasing pressure inside the skull. If vital regions of the brain are compressed this can cause symptoms ranging from headaches to problems with breathing or seizures. | Cells in the brain can then swell up, increasing pressure inside the skull. If vital regions of the brain are compressed this can cause symptoms ranging from headaches to problems with breathing or seizures. |
| 'Nonsense' | 'Nonsense' |
| Detox diets are based on the theory that toxins from "unhealthy" food and drink build up in the body and can lead to health problems. | Detox diets are based on the theory that toxins from "unhealthy" food and drink build up in the body and can lead to health problems. |
| Purging those toxins - through restricted diets, lots of water or using particular supplements - is meant to leave people feeling better and, often, thinner. | Purging those toxins - through restricted diets, lots of water or using particular supplements - is meant to leave people feeling better and, often, thinner. |
| But critics disagree with the principle. Dr Andrew Wadge, of the Food Standards Agency, has branded detox regimes "nonsense" and said the body has its own system of getting rid of toxins - the liver. I do it when I'm feeling a bit clogged up Ellie Kopiel, detoxer | |
| Dieticians are regulated by law in the UK, but nutritionists and nutritional therapists are not. | Dieticians are regulated by law in the UK, but nutritionists and nutritional therapists are not. |
| Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George's Hospital in Tooting, told the BBC: "As a dietician I frequently see people who have been given the wrong information by nutritionists or nutritional therapists and we deal with the consequences," she said. | Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George's Hospital in Tooting, told the BBC: "As a dietician I frequently see people who have been given the wrong information by nutritionists or nutritional therapists and we deal with the consequences," she said. |
| But others believe detoxing can beneficial if done properly. Ellie Kopiel, 55, detoxes about once a year by limiting her food intake, eating lots of fruit and vegetables and drinking about two litres of water a day. | |
| Ms Kopiel, a reflexologist from London, told the BBC News website: "I do it when I'm feeling a bit clogged up. | |
| "The first time I did it I must have had a lot of toxins in my body and for the first few days I felt very weak, very nervy and very tired. But now I'm more conscious of what I eat all the time so when I detox the most I get might be a headache." | |
| Yes I detoxed about 5 yrs ago. The side effects were not good. Dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, feeling faint and weak. I had three 4 day sessions every 10 days. I lost a dress size and felt wonderful afterwards. But it is short lived and not worth the expense. Better off re-assessing your lifestyle!!Kim, Lichfield, Staffordshire | Yes I detoxed about 5 yrs ago. The side effects were not good. Dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, feeling faint and weak. I had three 4 day sessions every 10 days. I lost a dress size and felt wonderful afterwards. But it is short lived and not worth the expense. Better off re-assessing your lifestyle!!Kim, Lichfield, Staffordshire |
| Many years ago I took the same diet - three days later, I had a headache, was vomiting, and now, I don't move and I am in my bed very sick. I am very bad and have become deaf in my left ear. I think about for the litre water I drank, about 4 or 5. Days later I saw a doctor, when I told him I have tried a water diet, he laughed. After examination I was well. But after that I lost the ability to hear. But when I read the story that you reported, I think I have been lucky. And now I drink only when I am thirsty.Lys Bonome, Paris | Many years ago I took the same diet - three days later, I had a headache, was vomiting, and now, I don't move and I am in my bed very sick. I am very bad and have become deaf in my left ear. I think about for the litre water I drank, about 4 or 5. Days later I saw a doctor, when I told him I have tried a water diet, he laughed. After examination I was well. But after that I lost the ability to hear. But when I read the story that you reported, I think I have been lucky. And now I drink only when I am thirsty.Lys Bonome, Paris |
| Yes I have completed a detox diet several times and think they are a good way of cleansing the system. I have felt healthier and energised by them. I am a reflexologist and believe in natural healing methods used sensibly. Sometimes people may ignore safety measures advised by their therapists to speed up a process. Ellie Kopiel, London | Yes I have completed a detox diet several times and think they are a good way of cleansing the system. I have felt healthier and energised by them. I am a reflexologist and believe in natural healing methods used sensibly. Sometimes people may ignore safety measures advised by their therapists to speed up a process. Ellie Kopiel, London |
| The detox industry is entirely unregulated. A lot of detoxes don't work at all. But some certainly do. Like thousands of others I went (abroad) to a spa offering a detox regime of a week of fasting, daily colemas and at the end of the fasting a diet high on fruits and raw vegetables. It did all and more than I hoped - not only did it make me feel better than I had for years, it also broke my previously bad food addictions - tea, coffee, cola. I've gone back now 7 times in 5 years. Why did I need to go back? Because after about 3 months each time, I drifted back into my old bad food habits. Fasting felt an entirely natural condition. If it hadn't been very good for me I certainly wouldn't have gone back again and again. I went there a sceptic - what I experienced and saw of others - there were many other returnees - convinced me that it works. The priority for the medical profession in this country is illness and its prevention. Well-being gets less attention. But this neglect leads in time to illness. Bob, London UK | The detox industry is entirely unregulated. A lot of detoxes don't work at all. But some certainly do. Like thousands of others I went (abroad) to a spa offering a detox regime of a week of fasting, daily colemas and at the end of the fasting a diet high on fruits and raw vegetables. It did all and more than I hoped - not only did it make me feel better than I had for years, it also broke my previously bad food addictions - tea, coffee, cola. I've gone back now 7 times in 5 years. Why did I need to go back? Because after about 3 months each time, I drifted back into my old bad food habits. Fasting felt an entirely natural condition. If it hadn't been very good for me I certainly wouldn't have gone back again and again. I went there a sceptic - what I experienced and saw of others - there were many other returnees - convinced me that it works. The priority for the medical profession in this country is illness and its prevention. Well-being gets less attention. But this neglect leads in time to illness. Bob, London UK |
| I have recently returned from Thailand having done a 9 day detox diet. It was properly overseen. There was no suggestion of drinking VAST amounts of fluid. There were lots of fruit and vegetable dishes and protein drinks. Yes, it was a little rough for the first few days with headaches etc. But I felt indescribably fantastic and so much better. I lost just over half a stone - which I have kept off. My skin improved and has only now started worsening with the introduction of small amounts of sugar in my diet! At the end of the day, FAD diets don't work. They are, in my view, dangerous and don't teach the person to eat a proper, reasonable, balanced diet. That is the key I believe! Anyone who attempts to drink such vast amounts of water daily - or any other totally bizarre instructions - should really know better. We have access these days to enough information about healthy diet and exercise. To blame someone else because you followed their bizarre and ridiculous instructions leaves no-one to blame but yourself.Sally Jenkins, Bedale, North Yorkshire | I have recently returned from Thailand having done a 9 day detox diet. It was properly overseen. There was no suggestion of drinking VAST amounts of fluid. There were lots of fruit and vegetable dishes and protein drinks. Yes, it was a little rough for the first few days with headaches etc. But I felt indescribably fantastic and so much better. I lost just over half a stone - which I have kept off. My skin improved and has only now started worsening with the introduction of small amounts of sugar in my diet! At the end of the day, FAD diets don't work. They are, in my view, dangerous and don't teach the person to eat a proper, reasonable, balanced diet. That is the key I believe! Anyone who attempts to drink such vast amounts of water daily - or any other totally bizarre instructions - should really know better. We have access these days to enough information about healthy diet and exercise. To blame someone else because you followed their bizarre and ridiculous instructions leaves no-one to blame but yourself.Sally Jenkins, Bedale, North Yorkshire |
| I have been on a detox diet and it was excellent. I've also drunk over 5 litres of water a day for a sustained period. But you are supposed to balance your water and salt intake as both are vital to health. Detox diets are powerful and need to be undertaken with care. But I don't believe there is anything wrong with the idea that you should flush excess toxins from your system.Robert, London | I have been on a detox diet and it was excellent. I've also drunk over 5 litres of water a day for a sustained period. But you are supposed to balance your water and salt intake as both are vital to health. Detox diets are powerful and need to be undertaken with care. But I don't believe there is anything wrong with the idea that you should flush excess toxins from your system.Robert, London |
| I went on the Carol Vorderman detox diet about 5 years ago. Basically you become vegan for a month. After the month was up I felt really good. I wouldn't stay on it for any longer than the stated time though. I do believe in the saying - you are what you eat so I do try and keep off foods containing additives/high fat etc so I don't really need to detox. So long as ones diet is balanced, now, I don't think detox diets are necessary. Carolyn Davison, Carmarthen, Wales | I went on the Carol Vorderman detox diet about 5 years ago. Basically you become vegan for a month. After the month was up I felt really good. I wouldn't stay on it for any longer than the stated time though. I do believe in the saying - you are what you eat so I do try and keep off foods containing additives/high fat etc so I don't really need to detox. So long as ones diet is balanced, now, I don't think detox diets are necessary. Carolyn Davison, Carmarthen, Wales |
| Have you ever been on a detox diet? How did it affect you? Are you a nutritionist? Tell us about your experiences by filling out the form below. | Have you ever been on a detox diet? How did it affect you? Are you a nutritionist? Tell us about your experiences by filling out the form below. |