Author/Authors :
Najafian، Jamshid نويسنده Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , , Abdar Esfahani، Morteza نويسنده Cardiology Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran , , Arabmomeni، Morteza نويسنده Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , , Akhavan Tabib، Afshan نويسنده General Practitioner, Isfahan Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ,
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a common health problem in both developed and developing
countries. There are many unconventional therapies, including herbal medicine, to treat this
condition. Some people believe that herbal medicines are safe. This case and review is about
adverse complication of treating obesity with some herbal medicine.
CASE REPORT: A 19 year old male with sever obesity (120 kg) used green tea (15 cups of green
tea per day) and an intensive dietary regimen to lose weight. He lost 30 kg after 2 months. At
that time, one day after usual exercise he suddenly lost consciousness due to left ventricular
fibrillation.
CONCLUSION: Use of herbal medicine for weight reduction is not always safe. Moreover, for
some herbal medicine the risk is sufficient to shift the risk–benefit balance against the use that
medicine.
