... and Trinny’s under fire for promoting a diet supplement that may cause cancer
TRINNY Woodall has been criticised by nutrition experts for promoting a controversial diet which involves taking a supplement that could cause cancer.
The 53-year-old fashion guru spoke about the strict no sugar, no carbohydrate diet she is following in a Facebook Live video.
But she has been called ‘highly irresponsible’ for also promoting chromium drops – a mineral that can become carcinogenic – to help curb her carb cravings.
In the video, which was posted to her 300,000 followers on Monday, she said: ‘Someone said the best way to get off sugar is to have chromium drops and eat lots of protein for four days and don’t go near any carbohydrates because those also turn things into sugar. So that’s what I’m doing.
‘I’m day three of no sugar and this is the most miraculous thing for me.’
Chromium is a trace mineral naturally found in vegetables, dairy products, pulses and meats which is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein.
However, a study by the University of Sydney revealed last year that the chromium in health supplements can oxidise and become carcinogenic in the body, potentially causing cancer. The NHS recommends 25mcg of chromium a day and warns that too much can be harmful. Some chromium drops can contain up to 500mcg per serving.
Professor Gary Frost, a nutrition expert at Imperial University, called Miss Woodall’s diet ‘nonsense’. He said: ‘If you eat a varied diet you will get the chromium you need.
‘There is no evidence the chromium drops will help anyone reduce their sugar intake. There have been reports of a few serious sideeffect from high intakes.’ Antony Haynes, a registered nutritional therapist, author and lecturer, said: ‘I wouldn’t recommend chromium on its own. I don’t think it’s nutritionally responsible.’
And Rebecca McManamon, dietician and British Dietetic Association spokesman, questioned whether Miss Woodall is qualified to be recommending the supplement.
She added: ‘The main thing is we don’t know that much about it. We don’t even have a figure for how much you should take because even that we don’t really know.’
Miss Woodall did not respond to requests for comment.