Posted on 12/12/2017 2:30:36 PM PST by Red Badger
Full Title:
25, dies after her body fails to break down strict diet of protein supplements and egg whites
Meegan Hefford was found unconscious in her apartment in June and was rapidly losing brain function.
A BODYBUILDER was killed by her strict diet of protein shakes and egg whites.
Meegan Hefford, 25, was found unconscious in her apartment in June by a real estate agent conducting a property inspection.
She was rushed to hospital, but died the following day.
Meegan, from Mandurah in Western Australia, had a genetic disorder that stopped her body breaking down the protein she was eating.
Urea cycle disorder, which affects one in 8,000 people, caused a build-up of ammonia in her blood and fluid on her brain, reports Perth Now.
Meegan, who had previously competed in body building competitions, did not know about her disorder and now her family are calling for more restrictions on the diet industry.
They believe more warnings need to be put in place about the potential dangers of a high protein diet.
Meegan’s death certificate lists “intake of bodybuilding supplements” as one of her causes of death, along with the previously undiagnosed condition.
Meegan, who leaves behind a seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son, would often go to the gym twice a day, according to her mum Michelle White.
She ate a protein rich diet and in early June began complaining to her family that she felt tired and “weird”.
Ms White said: “I couldn’t believe what the doctors were telling me, she was dying.
“I said, ‘You have to give her more time’, because she didn’t look sick, she looked beautiful.
“Losing Meegan, it’s so awful and I still can’t believe she’s gone but I have to focus on the positives that at least I had 25 years with her and she jammed so much into her life, it’s almost like she knew her time would be short.”
Urea cycle disorder is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from removing ammonia from the bloodstream.
Ammonia is a toxic substance that causes irreversible brain damage or death when it reaches the brain.
Metabolic stressors, including high protein intake, excessive exercising and dieting, can create excessive ammonia in the body.
Ms White said she didn’t know Meegan was taking protein supplements until she found half a dozen containers in her kitchen.
She also found a detailed diet plan.
Meegan’s death has promoted stark warnings from health experts on the dangers of using protein supplements.
Australian Medical Association WA president Dr Omar Khorshid said people should stick to a balanced diet rather than trying to trick the body into building muscle mass.
“I think the problem with the supplement industry is that it’s really designed to make money for the companies which sell the products and not to provide any significant health benefit for the vast majority of people taking them,” Dr Khorshid said.
In one of my former lives I trained with some guys who were Hard Core - IFBB.
Most of them are dead.
I know two who made it to age 60.
One who was a close friend went from liver cancer.
No doubt whatever that he got it from the Roids.
“With that disease, how did she survive until 25?”
It’s diet dependent. Similar to why patients with cirrhosis need to limit their protein intake.
“She was probably eating her weight in grams of protein a day.”
Not uncommon for body builders. I was friends with two brothers who were national competitors. They would eat a dozen eggs and 3 lbs of meat a day (each) when they were bulking up. They would supplement this with protein drinks etc.
Yeah. Not uncommon at all. I supplement my ‘diet’ with pre/post workout protein. But, some people take it to another level.
I have always (and still do) winced whenever I hear someone talk in terms of “The Doctors give him (her) ...six months.”
Like the Docs have some wallet full of life/time and they open it up and say “You! Over there! Here’s a few extra months we have. Don’t spend it all in one place.”
Then, after this type of prognosis, the person lives for a year or two and they act like this was an act of defiance and they forced the Doctor to keep them alive longer.
It all just seems to be a really bizarre way to look at it.
To me anyway...
Hold on now. That killed her right there. Competing in competitions is deadly. Extremism kills.
The Extremily Extreme Extremist here, would have to agree.
Two of my relatives are dying from running competitions.
Two of my relatives are dying from running competitions.
...
Keith Richards and I keep outliving all these people doing healthy things.
RIP.
Interesting. There was an article posted on FR yesterday about a link between Urea buildup and dementia.
I believe it is a little higher than that. A better way to figure it is by body weight and activity level.
.4 grams per pound for a sedentary adult
.5 grams per pound for an active adult
.6 for a very active adult.
Also to be figured in is the balance of carbs and fat, both needed. These people go nuts on protein and virtually eliminate carbs and fat. That seriously exacerbates the already excess of protein.
The numbers above also assume a proper balance of the three.
LMAO
I just ate spinach, ham, cheese, bluberries, peanuts & water. The Grim Reaper must work overtime to take me outta here.
I respectfully, hope I outlive the members of your Keith Richards Club. LOL
Well at 5’7 and 130 will have to do some figuring. I’m trying to get down and stay around 121-125. I’m always on the go but my job requires sitting for hours on end. According to your chart it’s: 52g so I guess I’m within my parameter.
You’ll live longer if you consume a breakfast of black coffee and cigarettes.
Ya.... but he looks like he could be Ruth Bader Ginsberg's grandpa.
It's worked for me so far.
There is some flexibility in those numbers. Based on my research, I have concluded that the RDA for protein is somewhat low, carbs somewhat too high and fat a little low.
Most people who over consume protein generally cut carbs to a very unhealthy level causing the body to process protein to do the job carbs are intended to do. That is very bad. If you consume a proper balance, a moderate amount of extra protein isn’t going to matter much. I weigh 190 and am reasonably active. My doctor feels that 80 or 90 grams of protein is appropriate for my weight and activity level. The last couple of years he has told me I need to consume more protein based on some aspect of my blood work.
If you make a radical change to your diet as this woman did without proper research (considering the amount of high quality info that we can access) then you pretty much deserve the results.
You need a bracing shot of Irish Whiskey to get your heart started.
Are your relatives male? If so, then distance running really is killing them. It lowers testosterone levels and that is bad for a man’s heart. And, I assume, other body parts as well.
‘’’How many grams of protean was she taking in daily? The max should be no more than 60grams in any form.’’’
That depends of your body mass. Body builders are usually consuming no less than 1,25 grams per pound of own weight.
At 60 grams a day you’d leak muscle.
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