Man nearly dies after taking protein powder – but is the weight-loss product safe?

WE ASKED an expert to reveal the truth about protein powder after a few shakes left a man on the brink of death.

DEATH'S DOOR: Matthew Whitby nearly died after taking two weight-loss products

Earlier this month a man was given two weeks to live after taking popular weight-loss products that he bought online.

After taking protein powder containing green tea extract and a weight-loss supplement containing tropical fruit extract for just two weeks, Matthew Whitby was diagnosed with liver failure.

The 27-year-old dad from Australia was so close to dying that he had to have an emergency liver transplant – but the donated organ was infected with hepatitis B.

Doctors said that the green tea extract was most likely the cause of his liver failure but because there are so many ingredients in the supplements and powders it was hard to pinpoint.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Online, LDN Muscle co-founder Tom Exton weighed in on how safe it is to bulk-up with protein products.

DEATH SENTENCE: Matthew was given two weeks to live because of weight-loss products

1. How does protein powder work and why do people take it?

"Protein powder in general is used to add protein to your diet, which is essential for good health and especially for those involved in physically demanding activity.

"Although protein powder is marketed as all-powerful by some companies, it really holds no special power over the majority of whole food protein sources excluding the amino acid profile."

2. Would you advise people to take protein powder?

"I would advise people to use protein powder if they lack protein in their diets regularly due to leading a busy lifestyle, but it is by no means necessary if someone is a dab hand in the kitchen and competent at regular food preparation."

FITNESS FANATIC: LDN Muscle co-founder Tom Exton knows all about protein powders

3. Do protein shakes really help people build muscle?

"They are no more effective than a meal containing the same amount of protein and arguably less effective at building muscle if the protein shake itself is not combined with carbohydrates.

"You also have to combine protein consumption with the right volume, intensity and type of training in order to build muscle – shakes will not cause muscle growth alone."

4. Do you use protein powder or shakes?

"I personally do yes, as a tool for when busy or lacking a whole food protein source. I only use whey, instant oats, creatine, BCAAs, vitamin D3 and omega-3."

5. How do you know if it's safe?

"The protein I buy comes from reputable companies who regularly test their products and have to pass certain standards agency criteria. If you do not abuse them, remain well hydrated and use them within a healthy, balanced diet then yes I believe they are safe."

6. Is it dangerous to buy protein powder from the internet?

"If the site is not reputable and or the company is not well known, then I would not buy from it.

"If a pill or potion promises the world then I would steer clear of it. There are lots of supplements freely available on the internet; my advice would be to stick to the bigger, more established and accountable companies."

GAINS: Lots of people drink the shakes to bulk up

7. What are the health risks involved in taking protein shakes?

"I’ve never experienced any health issues from taking reputable and purely whey protein or casein shakes.

"As with anything, if you consume too much of something (in this case protein) over time it may start to have a detrimental effect on your health.

"If this whey contains lots of ingredients and promises to work as a fat loss product, then again I would strongly consider avoiding it."

8. It's possible that users won't know the ingredients in the shakes and the affects they can have on the body. How could this be dangerous?

"Yes it is possible. If you read the back of more basic protein shakes from reputable companies you would not be able to describe the majority of the ingredients.

"This is where the food standards agency, and other organisations involved with performance and health supplements, should come into play.

"As I mentioned earlier the longer and more worrying ingredients lists will be for the products that promise more and are from the darker corners of the internet.

"Do not risk wasting your money or your health by buying from anyone but large, reputable and accountable companies."

9. Is green tea extract bad for you? Can you overdose on it?

"Green tea as a drink has been suggested to help reduce fat around the mid-rift marginally, and has a host of health benefits.

"The extract has been less well studied at present so I am not inclined to say definitively whether or not it is completely safe for regular consumption."

10. Have you heard of any other popular weight-loss products causing people health problems?

"Weight-loss shake diets and diet whey protein powders don’t work in my opinion.

"At LDN Muscle we try to keep people focusing on a sustainable and calorie-controlled diet alongside a regular and enjoyable exercise routine. This method is more sustainable long term and far healthier for the mind and body."

Follow LDN Muscle on Twitter and Instagram @LDN_Muscle for regular tips and advice on health and fitness.