Slimming pill fatality: Desperate death

TWO of the unfortunate realities of our time came together yesterday when it was announced that two investigations are under way into the death of a young man, who it is suspected, died after he used an illegal slimming product purchased online. 

Obesity and the difficulties that causes for an individual’s health, self-image and the societal pressure to look slim and fit came together to push a young man to trust his wellbeing to the integrity of strangers.

In this instance, that trust was misplaced and the consequences irreversible.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority warned that the product contained dinitrophenol (DNP), a highly toxic substance marketed on the internet as a “wonder slimming aid”, and is not fit for human consumption.

It has been linked to over 60 deaths worldwide.

That someone should, despite these warnings, use the drug is an indication of how very desperate people struggling to lose weight can become.

However, using self-prescribed medication bought online, and the uncertianty that infers, seems very unwise and desperate.