From Dailymail · · 3m
Warning over popular 'calming' supplement: Herb triggers brain damage in fit and healthy mother of two
Ashwagandha supplement causes brain damage in healthy mother after liver failure.
In brief
Ashwagandha supplement causes brain damage in healthy mother after liver failure. Lois Kinder, 44, suffered brain damage after taking ashwagandha supplements for a year, leading to liver failure and a transplant. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Ashwagandha supplement causes brain damage
Lois Kinder, 44, from Cheshire, suffered brain damage after taking ashwagandha supplements for a year, leading to liver failure and a transplant.
“The husband of a woman left brain damaged after taking popular 'stress-relief' supplement ashwagandha has issued a stark warning against the wellness favourite.”
Liver failure linked to ashwagandha
Lois Kinder, 44, suffered deadly liver failure in July, which doctors blamed on gummies she'd been taking over the last year containing ashwagandha root.
“Lois Kinder, 44, from Cheshire, suffered deadly liver failure in July, which doctors blamed on gummies she'd been taking over the last year containing ashwagandha root.”
Ashwagandha risks liver damage
While uncommon, experts say that in high doses the compound can damage liver cells.
“While uncommon, experts say that in high doses the compound can damage liver cells.”
Ashwagandha causes brain damage
The disastrous complication resulted in a liver transplant operation and complications during surgery restricted oxygen to Ms Kinder's brain, resulting in permanent brain damage.
“The disastrous complication resulted in a liver transplant operation and complications during surgery restricted oxygen to Ms Kinder's brain, resulting in permanent brain damage.”
Lois Kinder's current condition
Today, she remains hospitalised in critical care and struggles to communicate. Her movement is restricted to the 'odd twitch' of her finger or toe.
“Today, she remains hospitalised in critical care and struggles to communicate. Her movement is restricted to the 'odd twitch' of her finger or toe.”
Lois Kinder's concerns
At this stage, nobody knows what her recovery will look like, she will not walk again, regain full use of her body or what level of care she will need in the future.
“At this stage, nobody knows what her recovery will look like, said Mr Kinder, 44, a cabin crew manager.”
Ashwagandha popularity
Ashwagandha has long been hailed as a natural stress reliever. It is an adaptogen, meaning it is thought to help the body adapt to feelings of everyday stress.
“Ashwagandha has long been hailed as a natural stress reliever. It is an adaptogen, meaning it is thought to help the body adapt to feelings of everyday stress.”
Celebrity users
Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Kourtney Kardashian are among its noteworthy fans.
“Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Kourtney Kardashian are among its noteworthy fans.”
Kourtney's supplement
Kourtney's supplement firm Lemme sells a 'clinically tested' gummy version of the root that she claims is 'shown to reduce stress and support healthy cortisol (stress hormone).'
“Kourtney's supplement firm Lemme sells a 'clinically tested' gummy version of the root that she claims is 'shown to reduce stress and support healthy cortisol (stress hormone).'”
Experts warn of risks
However experts have increasingly warned of the potential harm it may cause if taken for prolonged periods, or in high doses.
“However experts have increasingly warned of the potential harm it may cause if taken for prolonged periods, or in high doses.”
Dipa Kamadar's warning
Although rare, there have been reports of liver problems, including severe liver failure, associated with ashwagandha use, said Dipa Kamadar, pharmacy expert from Kingston University, in a report for The Conversation.
“Although rare, there have been reports of liver problems, including severe liver failure, associated with ashwagandha use, said Dipa Kamadar, pharmacy expert from Kingston University, in a report for The Conversation.”
Ashwagandha immune effects
Ashwagandha may stimulate the immune system, potentially causing flare ups for people with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
“Ashwagandha may stimulate the immune system, potentially causing flare ups for people with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis.”
Lois Kinder started taking
Ms Kinder began taking the supplement daily in July last year, after becoming enticed by adverts she saw on TikTok.
“Ms Kinder began taking the supplement daily in July last year, after becoming enticed by adverts she saw on TikTok.”
Lois Kinder's selling
She was so convinced of its effects, she started selling it to social media followers.
“She would always say after taking them she felt better and was more relaxed, said Mr Kinder.”
Lois Kinder's symptoms
Roughly a year after she began taking the supplements, Ms Kinder visited her GP for help with nausea and vomiting.
“Roughly a year after she began taking the supplements, Ms Kinder visited her GP for help with nausea and vomiting.”
Lois Kinder's jaundice
She also noticed jaundice-like symptoms, including her eyes and skin turning yellow.
“She also noticed jaundice-like symptoms, including her eyes and skin turning yellow.”
Lois Kinder's hospitalisation
The doctor ordered a blood test and a liver scan. But within days, her 19-year-old daughter found her unresponsive on the sofa.
“The doctor ordered a blood test and a liver scan. But within days, her 19-year-old daughter found her unresponsive on the sofa.”
Lois Kinder's emergency
The paramedics managed to wake her up, but she was confused and couldn't recognise me or my brother, recalled the teenager.
“The paramedics managed to wake her up, but she was confused and couldn't recognise me or my brother, recalled the teenager.”
Lois Kinder's hospital transfer
She was then blue-lighted to the Warrington Hospital, and within hours tests found her liver was failing.
“She was then blue-lighted to the Warrington Hospital, and within hours tests found her liver was failing.”
Lois Kinder's transplant
Doctors placed her into an induced coma and, three days later, transferred her to the specialist Liver Intensive Care Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Ms Kinder was immediately placed on the urgent transplant list.
“Doctors placed her into an induced coma and, three days later, transferred her to the specialist Liver Intensive Care Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Ms Kinder was immediately placed on the urgent transplant list.”
The takeaway
Lois Kinder, 44, suffered brain damage after taking ashwagandha supplements for a year, leading to liver failure and a transplant.
