A man from Shanghai, China, was hospitalised after spending over £1,000 on bulking supplements that caused him to lose 6.5kg, suffer constant flatulence, and experience dizziness and frequent urination. The supplements, advertised by fitness influencer Chen, were supposed to help him gain weight but instead led to severe gastrointestinal issues.
Liu, a truck driver, initially weighed 63kg and contacted Chen after seeing her promote the product online. During a live-streaming consultation, Chen claimed the pills would provide a '42 per cent improvement in overall health' and help with weight gain, as reported by the South China Morning Post. She analysed his tongue, diagnosing 'excessive internal heat' and a 'cold body,' and created an 'adjustment plan' that required an initial payment of 4,000 yuan (£440).
After several days, Liu noticed he was losing weight instead of gaining it. He also felt dizzy, experienced constant flatulence, and needed the toilet frequently. Despite these alarming symptoms, Liu returned to Chen, who persuaded him to spend more money on additional products designed to 'expel toxins' from his body.
The second round of pills worsened his condition, and in April, Liu was admitted to the hospital with chronic gastritis. Medical tests revealed that the miracle pills were essentially fibre supplements. Consumed in large quantities, fibre can disrupt the gut and cause weight loss. Liu continued to lose weight even after a month of treatment.
Liu filed a complaint with the Songjiang District Health Supervision Station, accusing Chen of practising medicine without proper authorisation. Authorities are investigating whether Chen holds a valid medical license.
