Mother Left Brain Damaged After Taking Popular 'Calming' Supplement

A fit and healthy mother of two has been left permanently brain damaged after taking a popular supplement. Lois Kinder, 44, experienced liver failure in July, which doctors attributed to ashwagandha gummies she had been consuming for about a year.

While uncommon, experts note that high doses of ashwagandha can potentially damage liver cells. Ms. Kinder's liver failure necessitated a transplant operation. However, complications during the surgery led to restricted oxygen flow to her brain, resulting in severe brain damage. She remains in critical care, struggling to communicate and with limited movement.

"At this stage, nobody knows what her recovery will look like," said her husband, Ollie Kinder. "We don’t know if she will walk again, regain full use of her body, or what level of care she will need in the future."

Ashwagandha, an ancient herb, is widely promoted as a natural stress reliever and has been endorsed by celebrities. Kourtney Kardashian's supplement company, Lemme, offers a product containing ashwagandha, marketed for stress reduction and supporting healthy cortisol levels.

However, medical professionals have increasingly raised concerns about the potential risks associated with prolonged or high-dose use. Dipa Kamadar, a pharmacy expert from Kingston University, noted in a report for The Conversation that while rare, there have been instances of liver problems, including severe liver failure, linked to ashwagandha use. The herb may also stimulate the immune system, potentially exacerbating conditions for individuals with autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and arthritis.

Ms. Kinder reportedly began taking the supplement daily after seeing advertisements on TikTok and even began selling it to her social media followers, telling her husband she felt more relaxed after taking it. Approximately one year into her supplementation regimen, she experienced nausea, vomiting, and jaundice-like symptoms, including yellowing of her eyes and skin. A doctor's visit resulted in a blood test and liver scan.

Within days, her 19-year-old daughter found her unresponsive. Paramedics revived her but noted she was confused and disoriented. She was taken to Warrington Hospital, where tests confirmed her liver was failing. Doctors induced a coma and transferred her to the Liver Intensive Care Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, a center specializing in emergency liver transplants. Ms. Kinder was placed on the urgent transplant list.

On July 22, a suitable donor liver became available. During the transplant surgery, Ms. Kinder suffered three cardiac arrests due to a blood clot blocking a major lung artery. She experienced a prolonged period of oxygen deprivation while medical teams worked to save her. The family was prepared for the worst, but she survived the operation and awoke from her coma on August 13.

Despite surviving, the complications have resulted in significant brain damage, and she is undergoing intensive neurological rehabilitation. Doctors have identified ashwagandha as the likely primary cause of her liver failure. "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," Mr. Kinder stated. He added that approximately 70 cases of liver failure following prolonged use of such pills have been reported.

"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," Mr. Kinder urged. The family is currently crowdfunding to adapt a house to meet Ms. Kinder's specialized needs. Mie. Lois Kinder remains in critical care and is unable to walk or communicate fully. It is not clear if Ms. Kinder, who awoke from a coma last month, will make a full recovery. Ollie Kinder has told of the heartbreak of fearing he would lose his wife and mother of his kids.