Khaberni - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned against a wide range of dietary supplements after discovering they contain a toxic substance that may pose a serious health risk.
The agency explained that the warning includes 29 brands marketed as containing roots of the Tejocote plant (Crataegus mexicana), also known as "Brazil seeds," which are believed to be rich in vitamin "C" and antioxidants, with limited claims of their ability to help with weight loss.
However, tests conducted by relevant authorities revealed that these products actually contain yellow oleander, a toxic plant scientifically known as Thevetia peruviana, originally from Mexico and Central America.
The Food and Drug Administration has indicated that this plant can cause severe damage affecting the nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, and complications can be fatal. Potential symptoms include cardiac arrest, abdominal pain, and mental confusion, among others.
These products have been sold online through platforms such as "Amazon," "eBay," and "Etsy," as well as independent websites.
The Food and Drug Administration has urged consumers to immediately stop using these supplements and dispose of them, and has recommended that those who have already taken them contact healthcare providers even if symptoms have not appeared.
The agency noted that some companies have withdrawn their products from the market, while others have just removed them from sale or refused to withdraw them completely, confirming that they continue to monitor suspicious products and conduct more tests on them.
The issue began in September 2023, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report revealing that products marketed as containing Tejocote roots actually contained yellow oleander.
The administration also warned about the potential presence of other products sold under different names — like "Mexican hawthorn" — that may contain the same toxic substance.
The yellow oleander is used in some of these products as a cheap substitute, as it may cause symptoms like severe nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can lead to rapid and unhealthy weight loss, in addition to its effect on suppressing appetite.
Despite the belief that Tejocote roots and "Brazil seeds" assist with weight loss, the scientific evidence supporting these claims remains limited.
