MAKKAH: The Ministry of Health has warned against using unscientific diets as a substitute for prescribed and supervised medical treatment.
“The warning comes in response to documented cases in which individuals suffered adverse health effects after discontinuing insulin or other diabetes medications based on recommendations linked to popular diets,” the ministry stated recently.
According to the ministry, some individuals used these diets as alternatives to prescribed medications or reduced the dosage of treatments for chronic diseases without medical consultation.
Several people subsequently required emergency intervention and intensive care admission due to severe hyperglycemia and diabetes-related complications.
The ministry warned that categorizing foods as “beneficial” or “harmful,” or excluding essential food groups without medical justification, can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients. It warned against promoting excessive consumption of sugars or saturated fats as a safe option for everyone.
