A 32-year-old Turkish mother of three narrowly avoided tragedy after suffering cardiac arrest linked to an online weight loss product, highlighting the growing dangers of unregulated dietary supplements. Özge İkibaş required resuscitation and intensive care after consuming the coffee, and her case serves as a stark warning about the potential health risks of purchasing such products without medical guidance. This incident underscores the need for consumers to be vigilant about the products they use and to consult healthcare professionals before starting any weight loss regimen.
A 32-year-old mother of three from Ödemiş, Turkey, experienced a cardiac arrest after consuming a weight loss coffee purchased online, according to reports. The incident highlights the potential dangers of unregulated dietary supplements and the importance of consulting a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss regimen.
Özge İkibaş initially fell ill while working at a local factory two months ago. Medical personnel at the Ödemiş State Hospital emergency room were able to resuscitate her after her heart stopped. She was subsequently transferred to Dokuz Eylül University Research and Application Hospital, and then to Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Education and Research Hospital for further evaluation.
Doctors investigating the cause of İkibaş’s cardiac arrest learned from family members that she had been consuming a weight loss coffee she purchased online. Treatment focused on eliminating the accumulated toxins from her body. After a month and a half of care, including 15 days on a ventilator, İkibaş has made a full recovery and has been discharged from the hospital.
“I DON’T RECOMMEND IT AT ALL”
İkibaş expressed her gratitude for her recovery. She explained that she began drinking the weight loss coffee two months prior, stating:
“I used it too much, and my heart suddenly stopped. I bought it online, and it wasn’t under a doctor’s control. You drink it on an empty stomach, and it doesn’t let you eat anything else until the evening. I feel lucky. A new chance, a new life. I don’t think I’ll ever do something like that again. No one should use it, it has a bad outcome. I could have died. I might not have been able to see my children, I might not have been able to continue my life. I don’t recommend it at all. No one should use something unknowingly. They should diet in a healthy way.”
İkibaş also expressed how much she missed spending time with her children.
Doç. Dr. Pınar Ayvat, Head of Anesthesiology and Reanimation at Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Education and Research Hospital, who oversaw İkibaş’s treatment, noted that the patient was in life-threatening condition upon arrival.
Ayvat explained that İkibaş’s heart stopped multiple times during transport from Ödemiş, requiring resuscitation each time. She was placed on a ventilator and showed severely compromised cardiac and kidney function. “We initially considered dialysis, but determined she couldn’t tolerate it. We adjusted the ventilator daily based on blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and continued kidney support treatment.”
Ayvat stated:
“We are seeing young people who use various drugs and substances, as well as women who use weight loss pills, teas, and coffees. These substances can cause sudden cardiac arrest. They slow down heart function and can cause arrhythmias. They have many side effects and significantly affect the kidneys, sometimes leading to kidney failure. They need to be used much more carefully and under control. It is necessary to check whether these are approved by the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Forestry.”
This case serves as a critical reminder of the potential health risks associated with unregulated supplements and the importance of seeking medical advice before starting any weight loss program. The increasing prevalence of these incidents underscores the need for greater public awareness and stricter oversight of the dietary supplement industry.
