Fresh juice diet sends Israeli woman to hospital with ‘brain damage’

Thinking of going only on a fresh juice diet or what we also call ‘liquid diet’? Then think again! This near-death experience of an Israeli woman who went on an extreme only liquid diet stands as a grim reminder. According to The Times of Israel, Channel 12 on Tuesday reported that a woman was hospitalized after suffering from severe malnutrition and possibly irreversible brain damage after being on a liquid diet for three weeks that landed her in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, outside Tel Aviv.

According to the report, the woman is said to have rushed to the hospital after drinking only fruit juices and water on the advice of an unlicensed alternative therapist. The unidentified woman, who is in her forties reportedly weighed less than 40 kilograms (88 pounds) and her body was reportedly in bad shape due to the severe salt imbalance caused by her diet when she was admitted.

Experts suggest that the woman might be suffering from water intoxication, or hyponatraemia and as a result caused low levels of sodium in the blood. Sodium, or salt is responsible for regulating the fluid levels inside and outside cells in the body. Hence, when the salt levels drop too low, fluid moves into our cells and cause them to swell.

It also according to experts, cause excess fluid accumulation in the brain which can affect the brain stem and cause central nervous system dysfunction cause seizures, brain damage, coma, and even death, in this Israeli women’s case a possible ‘brain damage’.

In Israel, it is reported that one can call themselves a therapist and give out health advice even without ‘qualifications’. The Times of Israel also reported that alternative therapies are not regulated in Israel and anyone can declare themselves a therapist and consult privately for money.