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Rachel V Thomas

Ashwagandha Gummies Linked To Liver Failure, Brain Damage In UK Woman: What Is The Risk With The Herb?

A 44-year-old UK woman suffered severe brain damage after developing acute liver failure while taking an ashwagandha-containing “stress-relief” supplement.

<span>Lois Kinder</span>, a cabin crew manager from Cheshire, developed liver failure in July after taking <span>ashwagandha gummies</span> for about a year, according to the Daily Mail.

She required an urgent liver transplant but suffered three cardiac arrests during the operation after a blood clot blocked the main artery to her lungs. Prolonged oxygen deprivation caused severe brain injury.

Kinder remains in critical care with limited movement and difficulty communicating.

“At this stage, nobody knows what her recovery will look like,” her husband was quoted as saying.

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Kinder began taking the gummies daily last July after seeing them advertised on <span>TikTok</span>. She initially felt more relaxed and later began selling the supplement to her social media followers.

About a year later, she developed nausea, vomiting and yellowing of her skin and eyes. Tests showed that her liver was failing.

Doctors placed her in an induced coma and transferred her to a specialist center, where she was put on the urgent transplant list. A suitable donor liver became available on July 22.]

After the complications during surgery, her family was told to prepare for the worst.

“A number of times we were told we were going to lose her – and then she just defied the odds,” her family said.

Kinder woke from the coma on August 13 and remains in critical care undergoing neurological rehabilitation.

<h2>Did <span rel="noindex">Ashwagandha</span> Cause Her Liver Failure?</h2>

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Doctors told the family that ashwagandha was the “main cause” of Kinder’s liver failure, although the case remains under investigation.

“When the doctors ran tests, one of the first things they asked us was if she was taking pills containing ashwagandha, which they later said they believed had caused the liver problems,” her husband said.

He said doctors told the family there had been around 70 reported cases of liver failure following prolonged use of products containing the herb.

“I want to spread awareness and warn people that even if you think the supplement you are taking is safe, there can still be serious health consequences.”

<h2>What Does Research Say About Ashwagandha?</h2>

Ashwagandha, botanical name Withania somnifera, is one of the most widely used herbs in Ayurveda. It is also called the king of herbs and is commonly taken to manage stress, improve sleep, and support overall well-being.

However, rare cases of liver injury have been linked to ashwagandha, particularly in concentrated extracts.

A 2023 study led by Indian researchers, including hepatologist <span>Cyriac A Philips</span>, found that ashwagandha-induced liver injury can cause cholestatic hepatitis and, in some cases, progress to acute-on-chronic liver failure, particularly in people with pre-existing liver disease.

Published in Hepatology Communications, the study also documented cases of severe liver injury linked to Withania somnifera.

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Dr M. Wali, Senior Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Principal Director, Medicine in Preventive Cardiology, Pacific One Health, Delhi, told <strong><em>HealthandMe </em></strong>that high doses may pose a liver risk, particularly for people with liver disease or those who regularly consume alcohol.

He also stressed the importance of product quality, saying contaminated or poor-quality extracts could increase the risk of liver toxicity.  

"Ashwagandha should also be used with caution in people with autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, liver disease, or those preparing for surgery," added Dr. Vikas Jindal, Consultant, Dept of Gastroenterology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.

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A 44-year-old UK woman suffered severe brain damage after developing acute liver failure while taking an ashwagandha-containing “stress-relief” supplement.Lois Kinder, a cabin crew manager from Cheshire, developed liver failure in July after taking ashwagandha gummies for about a year, according to the Daily Mail.She required an urgent liver transplant but suffered three cardiac arrests during the operation after a blood clot blocked the main artery to her lungs. Prolonged oxygen deprivation caused severe brain injury.Kinder remains in critical care with limited movement and difficulty communicating.“At this stage, nobody knows what her recovery will look like,” her husband was quoted as saying.What Happened To Lois Kinder?Also read: Glutathione IV Drips Are Trending For Skin Brightening: Are They Safe?Kinder began taking the gummies daily last July after seeing them advertised on TikTok. She initially felt more relaxed and later began selling the supplement to her social media followers.About a year later, she developed nausea, vomiting and yellowing of her skin and eyes. Tests showed that her liver was failing.Doctors placed her in an induced coma and transferred her to a specialist center, where she was put on the urgent transplant list. A suitable donor liver became available on July 22.]After the complications during surgery, her family was told to prepare for the worst.“A number of times we were told we were going to lose her – and then she just defied the odds,” her family said.Kinder woke from the coma on August 13 and remains in critical care undergoing neurological rehabilitation.Did Ashwagandha Cause Her Liver Failure?Read More: Pamela Anderson Called Hepatitis C A ‘Death Sentence’: How The Infection Went From Incurable To CurableDoctors told the family that ashwagandha was the “main cause” of Kinder’s liver failure, although the case remains under investigation.“When the doctors ran tests, one of the first things they asked us was if she was taking pills containing ashwagandha, which they later said they believed had caused the liver problems,” her husband said.He said doctors told the family there had been around 70 reported cases of liver failure following prolonged use of products containing the herb.“I want to spread awareness and warn people that even if you think the supplement you are taking is safe, there can still be serious health consequences.”What Does Research Say About Ashwagandha?Ashwagandha, botanical name Withania somnifera, is one of the most widely used herbs in Ayurveda. It is also called the king of herbs and is commonly taken to manage stress, improve sleep, and support overall well-being.However, rare cases of liver injury have been linked to ashwagandha, particularly in concentrated extracts.A 2023 study led by Indian researchers, including hepatologist Cyriac A Philips, found that ashwagandha-induced liver injury can cause cholestatic hepatitis and, in some cases, progress to acute-on-chronic liver failure, particularly in people with pre-existing liver disease.Published in Hepatology Communications, the study also documented cases of severe liver injury linked to Withania somnifera.   How Safe Is Ashwagandha?Dr M. Wali, Senior Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Principal Director, Medicine in Preventive Cardiology, Pacific One Health, Delhi, told HealthandMe that high doses may pose a liver risk, particularly for people with liver disease or those who regularly consume alcohol.He also stressed the importance of product quality, saying contaminated or poor-quality extracts could increase the risk of liver toxicity.  "Ashwagandha should also be used with caution in people with autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, liver disease, or those preparing for surgery," added Dr. Vikas Jindal, Consultant, Dept of Gastroenterology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.

ashwagandha gummies linked to liver failure, brain damage in uk woman: what is the risk with the herb?

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