29-Year-Old Woman Dies After Taking Weight Loss Supplements: What Went Wrong?

MEXICO CITY (apro).— Yesenia Valentina Natividad Rodríguez, a 29-year-old woman, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, in the town of Ocampo, Coahuila, after consuming non-prescribed weight loss supplements. She suffered a respiratory arrest while being transported to the General Hospital of Cuatro Ciénegas.

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Rodríguez was found unconscious at her home in the Pedregal neighborhood. She managed to call for help but lost consciousness before the paramedics could arrive. The distance from Ocampo to Cuatro Ciénegas is about 50 kilometers, a journey that takes around 50 minutes by road. Tragically, Yesenia died en route.

Family Indicates Consumption of Brazil Nut Supplement

According to family statements reported by El Siglo de Torreón, Yesenia had started taking weight loss capsules containing Brazil nut. This product is a dietary supplement and not a medication, but it can have adverse effects if taken without medical supervision.

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In addition to the Brazil nut, family members mentioned that Yesenia previously took orlistat, a drug that inhibits fat absorption. While this medication is approved for obesity treatments, it can cause side effects such as nausea, fatigue, insomnia, vomiting, and breathing difficulties, especially if combined with other substances or consumed without professional oversight.

According to El Siglo de Torreón, the preliminary autopsy report indicated that the cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia. The State Attorney General’s Office and the Forensic Medical Service conducted the body retrieval and opened an investigation to determine if the supplement she consumed directly contributed to her death.

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Cofepris Banned Brazil Nut Supplements in 2015

The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) prohibited the sale of supplements containing Brazil nut since 2015. Nevertheless, their sale continues clandestinely through social networks or health food stores. This product, also known as Bertholletia excelsa, can induce selenium toxicity (selenosis), causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, and cardiac alterations.

Case in Sinaloa: A Teen Dies, Another Minor Hospitalized

In June 2024, a similar incident was reported in Sinaloa. According to information published by El Sol de Sinaloa on June 5, a 15-year-old boy died and a 16-year-old girl was severely intoxicated after consuming Brazil nut seeds as a method to lose weight.

Cuitláhuac González Galindo, the head of the state’s Health Department, warned the public about the effects this product can have on the cardiovascular system. “It’s proven and alerted that it causes cardiac issues. It slows down the heart rate, reduces frequency and causes so much damage that it leads to death,” stated the official.

The teenager was treated at a medical facility where a pacemaker was installed, but he passed away shortly thereafter. The girl, as reported at the time, remained hospitalized with a cardiac disorder. González Galindo then stated that a health alert would be maintained in the state and instructed the Coepris to perform checks.

International Warnings Against Consuming Brazil Nut

Aside from the national context, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about the sale of products labeled as weight loss supplements containing dangerous ingredients such as yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana). This component can cause vomiting, gastrointestinal disturbances, arrhythmias, and even death.

Funeral and Medical Warning

Yesenia was mourned and buried Wednesday afternoon in Ocampo, where family and friends bid her farewell. Health authorities and specialists have reiterated the importance of not consuming products without regulation or prescription.

Tomás Galván, a spokesperson for doctors in Coahuila, emphasized that “not every patient can take any medication” and that all treatments should be conducted under medical supervision. He also warned about the risks of combining compounds without proper assessment.