FDA Issues Warning About Potentially Deadly Weight Loss Alternatives
By Brooke Kato
Published Sep. 15, 2023, 10:11 a.m. ET
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning individuals seeking weight loss solutions against consuming certain plant-based alternatives to Ozempic. These alternatives, sold online under names like Nuez de la India, India seeds, and India nuts, are being marketed as “natural Ozempic,” but a recent FDA safety alert reveals that they may be mislabeled and contain a potentially poisonous plant called yellow oleander.
Specifically, two brands — Nut Diet Max and Todorganic — have been found to contain yellow oleander. The packaged products were compared to authentic candlenut seeds, and the presence of yellow oleander was confirmed. As a result, both brands have been subjected to recalls. However, they are still available through some online outlets.
The ingestion of yellow oleander can have severe and even fatal health effects. Symptoms may include vomiting, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and irregular heartbeats. The FDA urges caution when purchasing other “botanical weight loss products” and warns about the potential dangers they may pose.
This safety alert comes in the wake of a recent incident in Maryland where a patient had to be hospitalized after consuming a product labeled as Nuez de la India. Dr. Joshua King, the medical director at the Maryland Poison Center, expressed shock that such a mix-up could occur. While he does not believe the substitution was intentional, he suspects that yellow oleander was more readily available than candlenuts due to their similar appearance.
In a separate incident, a 1-year-old child in New Jersey was treated for yellow oleander poisoning after mistakenly consuming a weight loss supplement called Eva Nutrition Mexican Tejocote Root. The child presented with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and slowed heart rate.
The New Jersey Poison Control Center conducted an investigation into the product and discovered that nine out of the ten tejocote root products purchased actually contained yellow oleander with no traces of tejocote root.
As the weight loss drug craze continues to sweep Hollywood, people have been turning to Ozempic and Wegovy alternatives in the hopes of achieving similar results. However, the FDA has already warned against ingesting off-brand drugs that claim to contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in the prescription medications.
While claims about plant-based alternatives to popular weight loss medications, such as Nuez de la India, have surfaced on social media, experts remain skeptical about their efficacy. Berberine, touted as “nature’s Ozempic” on platforms like TikTok, has been praised for its supposed health benefits, including blood sugar regulation and improved digestion. However, experts have denounced it as a dubious practice of “diet culture” and caution against its use.
The FDA does not test supplements for safety, efficacy, or label accuracy before they are sold, placing the responsibility on the manufacturers. A recent study on sleep aid gummies revealed that some brands contained up to 300% more melatonin than the serving dosage stated on the label, highlighting the lack of regulation in the supplement industry.
Consumers are urged to exercise caution when purchasing weight loss products and to consult with healthcare professionals before trying any new supplements or medications.