CDC: Kratom supplement linked to illness

It’s a good idea to check labels before consuming products

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about an herbal supplement that has been linked to salmonella poisoning.

The supplement, kratom, is suspected to be connected to an outbreak of salmonella cases in 20 states, including at least one case in Arizona. So far, there have been no deaths, but there have been 11 hospitalizations reported. People who have gotten sick have reported consuming kratom in pills, powder or tea. The CDC notes that because there has not been a common brand or supplier of kratom identified yet, the organization recommends against consuming any kratom.

The supplement is already under fire by the CDC, which notes “kratom is a plant consumed for its stimulant effects and as an opioid substitute.” A 2016 CDC report links kratom exposure to psychosis, seizures and deaths, and the National Institute of Drug Abuse has identified the supplement “as an emerging drug of abuse,” the report notes.

However, according to a report by WebMD, kratom advocates say the supplement offers relief from pain, depression and anxiety, and some scientists think it “may hold the key to treating chronic pain and may even be a tool to combat addiction to opioid medications.”

For now, due to the salmonella concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a recall of kratom-containing supplements by at least one manufacturer. So what’s a person to do? Before taking any supplement, it’s a good idea to discuss it with one’s primary care provider, and make sure that any potential benefits outweigh any potential risks — and when it comes to something as controversial as kratom, that’s especially important to do.

And, given the risk of salmonella right now, it’s a good idea to read the ingredients on the labels of your supplements. If any contain kratom, do a quick search online, and find out if they could be impacted by the salmonella cases.

After all, a few moments lost to research are better than a few days lost to an illness like salmonella poisoning!