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.
Meegans 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 couldnt believe what the doctors were telling me, she was dying.
I said, You have to give her more time, because she didnt look sick, she looked beautiful.
Losing Meegan, its so awful and I still cant believe shes 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, its 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 didnt know Meegan was taking protein supplements until she found half a dozen containers in her kitchen.
She also found a detailed diet plan.
Meegans 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 its 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.
“Interesting. There was an article posted on FR yesterday about a link between Urea buildup and dementia.”
It was a little scary.
Carbs are deadly to me re weight gain. So, I went on a Paleo diet for a few months and lost 45-50 pounds. I was basically zero carbs and close to it now 3-4 years later.
Also, any soy product, so called lite food and any product with more than two ingredients with more than 4 syllables in the product list seems to add weight as I eat those products.
Then, my wife and I went on a modified Mediterranean diet with free access between meals for as much veggies, fruit and mixed unsalted nuts to satisfy cravings. I am at the same weight and holding for 3 years.
Our new doctor was concerned about too much protein and the warning you posted. So he ran the labs tsst on us, last month. My lab values were in the normal range with the exception of cholesterol which is not a concern for the doctor or me.
My wife is pushing 80 like me and sometimes fought staying on her/our Med/Paleo diet. Her doctor just sent back to her a copy of her lab values with a note that they were better than most 20-30 year old women and better than any age group past 20-30. Her lab values have improved over the past few years. We and the doctor feel that our Med diet is helping her.
Her other benefit appears to be a much more youthful facial skin. Her facial skin looks better than some of our age 40-50 relatives. She uses a couple of simple Mary Kay products.
We use Costco’s premium Extra Virgin Olive oil and real butter. We have smoked salmon, veggies, fruit, and mixed nuts for breakfast. A small chunk of some leftover beef, pork or chicken for lunch. Dinner revolves around grilled salmon, steak, pork shoulder loin or chicken. I grill a mixed veggie side or she does one in the oven. We are big on left over grilled stuff from the evening before. In the winters, we make beef, chicken or seafood stews from scratch.
Bttt
So 60 is way over the top?
Hmm, so I should wander around in the high 40’s to low 50’s range, have my toast and occasional monthly fried chicken dinner. And a nice quality hamburger.
Condolences to family and friends of Meegan Hefford.
‘’’So 60 is way over the top?’’’
Well, if your body mass is under 50 lb which I suspect is not the case, yes.
It’s 21.
Wife and I watched a Chicago Med with a similar case except the patient was a vegan with that abnormality. She restricted her diet so much, her body began feeding on her own muscle...digesting the protein and releasing ammonia which eventually led to her brain death.
First I’ve ever heard of that situation.
“Next time someone tells me they were bedridden with double ammonia Ill take them seriously.”
Don’t be so gaseous.
{|;-)
I saw that urea article. It said to take Lactulate (sp?) to push urea out of the gut.
I had a routine exam yesterday and asked about the urea story. My doctor laughed and said take Lactulate if you want huge amounts if diarrhea.
Yep. they essentially become like the Replicants of Blade Runner: The light that burns twice as bright lasts half as long.................
Who was that world famous runner back in the 80’s who died of a heart attack while running?......Bill something or other?.................
Cigarettes taste terrible!.............good fiber, but horrible taste!................
Your doctor is correct.
The problem here re the free urea may be from abusing/ODing on some of the over the counter products that can be toxic when too much is taken.
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