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 fit which damaged her memory, speech and concentration.
Mrs Page, from Wiltshire, later had an epileptic fit which damaged her memory, speech and concentration.
Her nutritionist Barbara Nash has denied any wrongdoing and the High Court agreed to the settlement without mention of liability.
Her nutritionist Barbara Nash has denied any wrongdoing and the High Court agreed to the settlement without mention of liability.
'Cognitive deficit'
'Cognitive deficit'
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 when she started vomiting Mrs Nash told her it was a normal part of the detoxification process.
She told the High Court when she started vomiting Mrs Nash told her it was a normal part of the detoxification process.
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 fit. Doctors diagnosed low salt levels in her body.
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 fit. Doctors diagnosed low salt levels in her body.
She has been left with "cognitive deficit" which she says has forced her to give up work as a conference organiser. 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 Geoff Page
She has been left with "cognitive deficit" which she says has forced her to give up work as a conference organiser. 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 Geoff Page
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.
He said his wife had previously tried several other diets.
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."
Mrs Nash's insurance company agreed to pay out £810,000, but in a statement her lawyers denied any liability.
Mrs Nash's insurance company agreed to pay out £810,000, but in a statement her lawyers denied any liability.
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."
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.
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.
Have you ever been on a detox diet? How did it effect 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.
