Mother awarded £800,000 for low-sodium diet

Luke Salkeld, "Mother awarded £800,000 after 'six pints of water a day detox diet' left her brain damaged," The Mail (London), July 25, 2008

The "Amazing Hydration Diet" -- low in sodium and high in water -- has cost a Britsh nutrition therapist £800,000 for the brain damage sufered by a housewife who followed the prescribed weight-loss diet.

Hydration diets are sometimes prescribed to those suffering from fluid retention, which can cause weight gain in the fingers, ankles and legs.

Fluid retention can be caused by the kidneys not working properly and it is thought some nutritionists claim additional water can ‘kick start’ the kidneys.

But registered dietician Nigel Denby said: ‘If hydration ever leads to weight loss, it is simply because the extra water makes you less inclined to eat because you feel full.

Hydration diets do not work. I have no idea what the reduction of sodium is supposed to achieve, but no qualified professional would recommend this sort of diet.’

A serious loss of sodium can lead to weakness, dizziness, memory loss and nausea.

If the deficiency becomes severe, the circulatory system can collapse and the body can go into shock, causing fatigue, muscle twitching and fits.