Tejocote Root Supplement Poses Significant Health Risks, Deemed Ineffective for Weight Loss
Tejocote root, derived from the Mexican hawthorn tree (Crataegus mexicana), is being marketed as an herbal supplement for weight loss despite a lack of evidence supporting its efficacy. This supplement, also known by names such as raíz de tejocote and Alipotec, has been traditionally used in Hispanic cultures for various medicinal purposes like cough relief, as a diuretic, and as a laxative. However, current use as a weight-loss aid is not supported by research. The supplement has been linked to severe side effects, including gastrointestinal distress, cardiac arrhythmias, and low serum potassium. Alarmingly, many tejocote root products are frequently contaminated with yellow oleander, a highly toxic cardiac glycoside. This contamination can lead to severe neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular toxicity, with reported cases of death. 
