In a concerning revelation, it has come to light that certain purported weight loss supplements may contain a concealed and dangerous ingredient. The discovery has prompted health authorities to issue warnings about the potential risks associated with these products.
A recent case involving a sick patient raised alarms when it was found that the individual had consumed candlenuts, a substance often marketed as a weight loss supplement and known by its alternate name, Nuez de la India. While candlenuts are known to induce nausea or vomiting in some cases, the symptoms exhibited by this patient were unexpected and severe. They included a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and elevated levels of potassium in their blood.
Concerned healthcare professionals consulted with the Maryland Poison Center, suspecting that the product labeled as Nuez de la India, which the patient had purchased on Amazon, might, in fact, contain a poisonous plant known as yellow oleander. A similar case had been reported in Minnesota, further fueling their suspicions. Subsequent tests confirmed their fears.
Dr. Joshua King, the medical director of the Maryland Poison Center, expressed astonishment at the mix-up, emphasizing the extreme toxicity of yellow oleander, which is considered a form of self-harm when ingested in Sri Lanka. The patient’s life could have been at risk without the timely administration of an antibody antidote called Digibind for yellow oleander poisoning, though the individual ultimately made a full recovery.
In recent weeks, both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued warnings regarding instances where yellow oleander has been disguised, without disclosure, as supplements purportedly designed for weight loss.
The FDA’s report cautioned that several products labeled as Nuez de la India, available through online platforms like Amazon, Walmart, or eBay, may actually contain yellow oleander. Two specific brands, Nut Diet Max and Todorganic Natural Products, voluntarily recalled their products in response to the FDA’s warning. However, the FDA also cautioned that other candlenut supplements with similar marketing descriptions might also contain yellow oleander.
Furthermore, a CDC report detailed the case of a toddler in New Jersey who fell ill after consuming their mother’s tejocote root supplement—a substance derived from the Mexican hawthorn plant, also marketed for weight loss. In this case, the product was found to consist entirely of yellow oleander.
Consuming any part of the yellow oleander plant can lead to various adverse effects, including a burning sensation in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, or even death. The toddler in New Jersey experienced vomiting, low blood pressure, and a slowed heart rate but recovered following treatment. Subsequent testing of ten supplement products labeled as tejocote revealed that none contained tejocote root, and all but one were positive for yellow oleander.
Notably, a 2021 study revealed that a product labeled as Alipotec containing tejocote actually contained yellow oleander, falsely claiming FDA approval.
Dr. King highlighted that while the substitution may not have been malicious, individuals handling such products should exercise caution and awareness. Many people may not realize the potential risks associated with botanical supplements, and doctors may not consider them as potential sources of health issues unless patients specifically mention their use.
Dietary supplements do not require FDA approval, but the agency mandates that companies producing, packaging, labeling, or storing supplements must test their ingredients and limit contamination. However, the FDA does not require companies to provide proof of compliance with these regulations, making it imperative for consumers to exercise extreme caution when selecting products. Dr. C. Michael White, the head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Connecticut, recommended seeking products verified by independent third-party laboratories and looking for certifications from reputable organizations like the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention or the National Sanitation Foundation.
Moreover, both tejocote and candlenuts are marketed under various names, adding to the confusion. Dosage instructions for these supplements are often inconsistent, making it difficult for consumers to determine safe usage.
In conclusion, experts warn that the purported benefits of these supplements are unproven, and consumers should approach them with skepticism, as they could pose serious health risks.