Bodybuilding Mom of Two Reportedly Dies of Too Much Protein

A bodybuilding competitor and mom of two reportedly died from a protein overdose, according to Perth Now.

25-year-old Meegan Hefford was discovered to have urea cycle disorder, which blocks the body from properly breaking down protein, after she was found unconscious in her home and rushed to the hospital on June 19.

The Australian woman was preparing for a bodybuilding competition in September and was consuming various protein supplements. Hefford’s mother, Michelle White, told Perth Now that Hefford had been complaining about feeling tired and “weird.”

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

After Hefford was rushed to the hospital, it took doctors two days to diagnose her with urea cycle disorder, by which point the amount of ammonia in her blood and fluid in her brain was too much. She was declared brain dead the next day.

Along with urea cycle disorder, coroners listed “intake of bodybuilding supplements” as one of Hefford’s causes of death.

Hefford left behind a 7-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son. Her family is now calling for tighter regulations on protein supplements.

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