In a concerning trend, a deadly yellow plant has been found in diet pills and health foods, posing serious health risks to consumers. The plant, known as yellow oleander, is toxic and potentially fatal when ingested. This discovery was made after testing at a lab in Oregon, where it was revealed that nine out of 10 products labeled as Tejocote Root, a weight loss supplement, actually contained yellow oleander. The findings were published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Experts have long regarded Tejocote Root as a bogus weight loss supplement, yet it continues to be readily available on pharmacy shelves and popular online retailers. The danger lies in the fact that many Americans seek unregulated alternatives to prescribed weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, due to their desire for quick and easy weight loss solutions. This has created a demand for unproven pills, supplements, and foods, leading to an increase in the popularity of Tejocote Root and similar products.
The discovery of yellow oleander in these weight loss supplements is just the beginning, according to Dr. Noah Berland, an emergency physician and medical toxicologist. After a two-year-old child was hospitalized last year due to consuming a product labeled as Tejocote Root, Berland and his team started investigating similar cases across different states. In addition to the Oregon lab's findings, they found other weight loss products sold online that also contained the toxic plant.
Yellow oleander, when ingested, can cause severe neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular effects. Even a small amount of the plant can be life-threatening and dangerous. Berland emphasizes that nobody should be purchasing over-the-counter weight loss products, as they often pose serious health risks.
Notably, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning about weight loss products and botanical foods labeled as "Nuez de la India," which were also found to contain yellow oleander. The FDA reported a case of hospitalization in Maryland due to the consumption of Nut Diet Max seeds, which were sold by major retailers like Walmart and eBay. The FDA is actively working with third-party platforms where these products are sold.
Interestingly, it remains unclear why the toxic yellow oleander plant is being misbranded and marketed as a weight loss supplement. There is no scientific evidence to support any weight loss benefits from its consumption. Despite these facts, Tejocote Root products are still readily available for purchase from popular online retailers. Additionally, social media platforms like TikTok are filled with videos promoting the unproven weight loss benefits of taking Tejocote Root, further exacerbating the issue.