Is Shefali Jariwala's death due to over Glutathione Injections?Doctors warn of severe side effects
Though the exact cause of death is under investigation, reports suggest she may have suffered from low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, and gastric distress following an injection on an empty stomach. Medical experts are now urging the public to understand the risks and consult qualified professionals rather than following social media fads.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant naturally produced in the body. It plays a key role in detoxifying the liver, boosting immunity, and protecting cells from oxidative stress. Due to its supposed skin-brightening properties, it has gained massive popularity in oral, topical, and injectable forms.
'People are drawn to glutathione because of its reputation as the 'master antioxidant,' but its cosmetic use, especially through injections, is not without serious risk,' said Dr Sai Lahari Rachumallu, Dermatology Associate Consultant at Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneswar.
Potential Side Effects and Misuse
Dr Suchismitha Rajamanya, Lead Consultant and HoD of Internal Medicine at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, emphasized that glutathione should only be used under strict medical supervision. 'While it can help with liver issues, oxidative stress, or immune dysfunction, using it casually for cosmetic benefits—especially in unregulated settings—can be harmful,' she said.
Reported side effects include:
Abdominal cramps and bloating
Allergic reactions like rashes and itching
Zinc deficiency affecting immunity and healing
Risk of infection from improper injection techniques
Kidney damage or renal toxicity from high doses
Rare but serious conditions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
'High-dose glutathione injections used over time can harm liver and kidney function, especially when combined with steroids or vitamin C for faster skin whitening,' Dr Rajamanya added.
Oral vs Injectable Glutathione
Doctors also pointed out that oral glutathione has poor bioavailability—meaning only a small portion is absorbed by the body. This has led to a surge in intravenous injections, which deliver glutathione directly into the bloodstream but significantly raise the stakes when it comes to side effects.
'Injectables may offer faster results, but the risks are exponentially higher if used irresponsibly,' Dr Rachumallu warned.
Caution Against Unregulated Clinics
Another growing concern is the ease with which such procedures are available in India—often without prescriptions, supervision, or proper hygiene. 'People are influenced by celebrities and influencers, but health should never be compromised for beauty trends,' said Dr Rajamanya.
Experts urge people to seek proper clinical evaluations and avoid off-label or unapproved uses of any injectable treatments. They stress that while glutathione has therapeutic value, it should not be misused in the pursuit of fairness or youth.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before beginning any new treatment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Shefali Jariwala Passes Away At 42: Understanding The Surge In Youth Cardiac Arrests
Shefali Jariwala died of a sudden cardiac arrest. Despite swift help from husband Parag Tyagi, she was declared dead on arrival. The tragic and unexpected death of actress Shefali Jariwala at the age of 42 has ignited widespread concern over a growing health crisis: rising heart attack cases among young adults. Known for her iconic role in the music video Kaanta Laga and her participation in Bigg Boss 13, Shefali reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite her husband, actor Parag Tyagi's swift efforts to get her medical help, she was declared dead upon arrival. Her body was later moved to Cooper Hospital for a postmortem. As authorities investigate the precise cause, Shefali Jariwala 's untimely demise underscores an unsettling trend: a significant surge in cardiac incidents among individuals in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s. A Worrying Shift in Trends Cardiovascular disease, once seen as a condition primarily affecting the middle-aged and elderly, is now striking much earlier. Experts report that heart attacks among individuals under 40 are growing rapidly, accounting for 6–10 per cent of global cases. Alarming as that is, the rate in India appears even higher compared to global averages. Sedentary Lifestyles and Unhealthy Habits One of the main culprits behind this trend is lifestyle. A large percentage of today's youth spend extended periods seated at work, during travel or while using screens. Combined with a diet packed with ultra-processed, sugary and fatty foods, this leads to weight gain and increases the risk of conditions like diabetes, hypertension and elevated cholesterol. Mental well-being is often overlooked but is closely linked to heart health. Persistent stress, anxiety and depression can raise cortisol levels, which in turn spike blood pressure and damage the heart over time. In addition, stress can encourage harmful coping mechanisms such as smoking, excessive alcohol use and drug consumption – all of which increase heart attack risks. Undetected Medical Conditions Many young people skip regular check-ups, believing they're too young to worry about heart disease. As a result, underlying conditions like high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, or early-onset diabetes go unnoticed, only to manifest as major cardiac events. Other Risk Factors in Young Adults Additional contributors to early heart attacks include: Smoking – Regular or secondhand smoke rapidly damages arteries. Substance abuse – Drugs like cocaine or meth can cause sudden heart spasms. Chronic hypertension – Puts continuous pressure on arteries and heart muscles. Unfavourable lipid profiles – High LDL and low HDL cholesterol contribute to arterial blockage. Genetic conditions, such as hyperhomocysteinemia and lipoprotein disorders, that affect blood flow. Prevention: What Can Be Done? Getting regular medical check-ups to identify hidden risks early. Maintaining a diet rich in whole foods and engaging in daily physical activity. Prioritising mental well-being through practices like meditation, yoga, or counselling. Steering clear of tobacco, e-cigarettes and recreational drugs. Following proper treatment plans for chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Shefali's passing is more than just a celebrity headline – it's a sobering wake-up call. Her story emphasises how critical it is for young people to take heart health seriously. Early prevention, awareness, and lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of such tragedies. If today's youth begin to prioritise their physical and emotional well-being, we could be looking at a future where heart attacks in the young are the exception, not the norm.
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
What Is ‘Ram Kit' And Why Is It Being Linked To Shefali Jariwala's Death?
The Ram Kit contains three medicines: Sorbitrate, Rosuvastatin and Ecosprin. The sudden death of actress and model Shefali Jariwala on June 27 left the entertainment industry and her fans in shock. She reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and was immediately rushed to Bellevue Multispecialty Clinic by her husband. But doctors declared her dead on arrival and news of her passing spread online which led to a wave of tributes, questions and speculations. Amid this, a video started gaining attention on social media, shared by content creator Nikhil Saini on Instagram. The clip features him speaking about how timely and correct intervention in medical emergencies, especially those related to the heart, can potentially save lives. He refers to a basic kit known as the 'Ram Kit,' which he says can be used when someone experiences symptoms of a heart attack or severe chest discomfort before reaching the hospital. In the video, Saini says that the kit was put together by Dr Neeraj Kumar, a cardiologist at the Laxmipat Singhania Institute in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. According to him, this kit costs just Rs 7 and contains three medicines: Sorbitrate, which is to be placed under the tongue, Rosuvastatin for managing cholesterol and two tablets of Ecosprin. He explains how these tablets can be used during an emergency to provide initial relief. 'If a person gets a heart attack or suffers chest pain for a long time, then in that situation, this 'Ram Kit' is given, then it controls the conditions while the patient reaches the hospital," Nikhil said in the video. He captioned the video with: 'Every house should have a Ram kit." The video has crossed two lakh views and sparked a wide discussion online. Many viewers in the comment section pointed out that Shefali suffered a cardiac arrest and not a heart attack. They questioned whether the medications mentioned in the video would have been effective in such a case. One user commented, 'She had cardiac arrest not heart attack, there is a difference." Another said, 'Please don't communicate wrong things to people as everyone thinks that Instagram is the best place to learn. Please get the basics clear for heart attack and cardiac arrest." 'She did not die due to a heart' attack. There are so many factors that affected her health," someone said. Shefali Jariwala became a familiar face across Indian households in the early 2000s with her breakout appearance in the remix music video Kaanta Laga which brought her instant fame and earned her the nickname Kaanta Laga Girl. She later appeared in the Bollywood film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi alongside Salman Khan. Over the years, she shifted her focus to television where she featured in dance reality show Nach Baliye with her husband and later participated in Bigg Boss 13. First Published:
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
Unchecked anti-ageing, wellness supplement market in India could pose huge health risks: doctors
The death of 42-year-old actress Shefali Jariwala, recently, has brought to the fore the rapidly-expanding anti-ageing and over-the-counter herbal supplements market in the country. As per estimates, this market in India is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.10% between 2025 and 2034. Doctors say that not only does this growing market have very few regulations, it now caters to diverse segments of the population -- even to people in their 20s. Understanding products in the market Anti-ageing products, say experts, incorporate active ingredients in them, while herbal supplements often marketed as 'safe' alternatives to medicines, could contain steroids. 'What is often sold as 'natural' or 'safe' can sometimes be silently dangerous. This tragedy (death of Ms. Jariwala) compels us to pause and reconsider how we approach wellness, especially at a time when supplements, detoxes, and herbal mixes are available at the click of a button— without regulation, without screening, and too often, without medical guidance,'' warned Ajara Sayyad, aesthetic dermatologist and regenerative medicine expert at The Eterne Clinic, Mumbai. She added that in recent years the market has been flooded with beauty and health supplements— powders for glowing skin, capsules for hair regrowth, gummies for weight loss, herbal teas for detox, and pills to 'balance hormones. 'Most are marketed as Ayurvedic, natural, or plant-based, and therefore mistakenly assumed to be risk-free. The body, however, responds to biochemical signals, regardless of their source. These supplements when taken without proper medical guidance may disrupt hormonal balance, burden the liver and kidneys, cause allergic reactions, interfere with medications and can trigger latent or undiagnosed medical conditions,'' she said. Also Read: Government keen to accelerate growth of India's nutraceuticals sector Safety first While the exact cause of death in Shefali Zariwala's case is still under investigation, the combination of long-fasting, use of multiple wellness drugs and related medical complications is also being looked into, said Aravind Badiger, technical director, BDR Pharmaceuticals. 'Any type of medical therapy must be customised for the individual, considering lifestyle, diet, and underlying conditions. Fasting can alter the body's electrolyte balance, hydration status, and blood glucose levels, which can affect the absorption and metabolism of medications.'' He added that even well-adjusted therapies may behave differently when taken in a state of fasting, and so, dosing, timing, and monitoring are vital. The goal should always be to effectively and safely improve health, he noted. Misinformation abounds However, some doctors also note that there is no connection between these drugs and possibly adverse events. 'Recent headlines have raised public anxiety by loosely linking anti-ageing injections to severe adverse outcomes, including death. This connection is unsubstantiated and misleading. Anti-ageing injections—such as botulinum toxin (Botox), dermal fillers (like hyaluronic acid), and mesotherapy serums—are clinically approved and widely used worldwide, often under dermatological or plastic surgeon supervision. These are minimally invasive aesthetic procedures with strong safety records when administered correctly. There is no direct evidence to suggest that anti-ageing injections, when administered properly, have ever caused early death,' explained Viral Desai, a board-certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon working in Mumbai. He added that serious risks, like vascular occlusion, are exceptionally rare and typically result from improper technique or untrained personnel—not from the injection material itself. The need for regulation Doctors across the board however, stress the urgent need for far more regulation in the herbal supplements and nutraceuticals sector than there currently exist. Misleading advertisements have to be curbed, unsubstantiated claims should not be allowed on product packaging or in adverts, stringent monitoring of the ingredients has to be carried out and quality checks must be put in place, they say.
