ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Mum-of-two dies from high-protein diet

She had no idea the risk she was taking. - by Eliza Murray
  • 15 Aug 2017
Mum-of-two dies from high-protein diet

A Western Australian mum-of-two has died after her high-protein diet lead to a fluid build-up in her brain that eventually killed her.

Meegan Hefford was found passed out on the floor of her apartment in Mandurah by a real estate agent who had arrived to inspect the property. Three days later she was declared brain-dead.

meeganheff View Profile
94 likes - View Post on Instagram
Sunshine and coffee 😍

Doctors discovered that Ms Hefford was unaware that she had a rare condition called urea cycle disorder, which causes an enzyme deficiency preventing the body from properly breaking down proteins.

Ms Hefford’s mother, Michelle White, told PerthNow that her daughter had recently begun eating a high-protein diet, drinking protein shakes, and going to the gym twice a day to prepare for a bodybuilding competition in September.

As a result of the excess protein that she couldn't process, ammonia levels in her bloodstream eventually caused brain damage and death.

‘I said to her, ‘I think you’re doing too much at the gym, calm down, slow it down’’, Ms White said.

meeganheff View Profile
56 likes - View Post on Instagram
Everyday is hard being away from these two happy little heads but Mother's Day is just a little bit harder. Our time together is always such a blessing and you can't wipe the smile off our faces 💗 So blessed to be their Mumma, have an unconditional love and unbreakable bond #mothersday #love #truelove

Despite her intense training regimen, there was no indication that Ms Hefford was unwell.

‘She didn’t look sick, she looked beautiful,’ says her mum.

meeganheff View Profile
33 likes - View Post on Instagram
Selfies for days #happygirl #selfie #nogymclothes #hashtag

Ms Hefford’s parents are hoping that their daughter’s tragic death is the wakeup call the fitness industry needs to regulate the sale of protein and other supplements.

‘I know there are people other than Meegan who have ended up in hospital because they’ve overloaded on supplements. The sale of these products needs to be more regulated.’

meeganheff View Profile
49 likes - View Post on Instagram
🌴🍍☀️ Gold Coast never disappoints #surfersparadise #goldcoast #quicktrip #girlsweekendaway

While her condition meant Ms Hefford's liver was too damaged to be of use, her heart, lungs, and kidneys went on to save four other lives. 

meeganheff View Profile
20 likes - View Post on Instagram
Our day at the beach was spent like this 😍 trying to tan.. Stacks on Mumma 💗 no better way to spend an afternoon at the beach #somuchlove #mummasgirl #mummasboy

This article first published on New Idea.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

I turn people into art!

I turn people into art!

Holly the heart hero

Holly the heart hero

30-year heartbreak  - who killed Kerry Turner?

30-year heartbreak - who killed Kerry Turner?

My runny nose was cancer

My runny nose was cancer

{headline}

{headline}

I was paralysed at the beach

I was paralysed at the beach

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

{headline}

{headline}

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Back from the brink!

Back from the brink!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

How chalk found me love!

How chalk found me love!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!