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£5 Supplement Causes Liver Failure, Near-Death
16 Sep
Summary
- A £5 herbal supplement led to severe liver damage and a near-fatal condition.
- The woman was placed in a coma, required a liver transplant, and almost died thrice.
- Doctors suspect the supplement, potentially ashwagandha, caused the critical health issues.
A 44-year-old woman, Lois Kinder, has sustained significant brain damage following a severe adverse reaction to a £5 herbal supplement. She was initially promoted as healthy and a seller of such products on TikTok. In early July 2026, Lois began exhibiting symptoms of liver disease, including yellowing of the eyes and skin. By July 13, 2026, she was found unresponsive and was hospitalized.
Medics informed her family that Lois's liver was failing critically. She was placed in an induced coma and transferred to a specialist liver unit, subsequently placed on the urgent transplant list. A donor liver was found, but the transplant surgery in late July 2026 was complicated by three cardiac arrests due to a blood clot. Against the odds, Lois survived and woke from her coma on August 13, 2026.
Despite waking, Lois suffers from considerable brain damage. Doctors have indicated her life will be permanently altered. Her husband, Ollie, stated that her case is medically complex and likely to be published as a case study. The family is currently fundraising to adapt a new home for Lois, as they have been given notice on their rental property.
