Public health officials are warning the public against Artri Ajo King. For one, it’s widely used by older Latino men and women across the United States. This vividly depicted product, purportedly made in Mexico, promises to be a natural way to ease joint pain. The nutrition supplement has become very popular, particularly in immigrant communities. This has persisted, even after the FDA has warned about its clandestine steroid qualities.
What sets the Artri Ajo King apart from the other contenders is its packaging, which has labels written exclusively in Spanish. On the inside, it purports to have all sorts of good stuff like vitamin C and collagen. Yet, in a series of recent exposés, we’ve found that these exact products included secret steroids that have potentially deadly consequences. Medical professionals are calling for restraint. Given how accessible the supplement is and how many people take it in search of chronic pain relief, Tini’s concerns are warranted.
Growing Popularity Among Immigrants
The supplement has taken off with older adults. 52-year-old Gloria Caballero began taking Artri Ajo King four years ago to reduce her knee pain. She takes the label’s advice, which says to take two tablets three times a day.
Chely, a 46-year-old housewife, takes Artri Ajo King to relieve her chronic foot pain. This product has delivered her relief in the soles of her feet. Both women illustrate a growing trend in the Latino community where traditional remedies are favored over pharmaceuticals.
To its credit, the FDA has warned the public about the dangers of Artri Ajo King. Yet, consumers are still often unaware of its dangerous ingredients. The product and its manufacturer seem to lack an official web presence. Protectionism by confusion develops as the producer only appears to be identified by means of a handle below which passes a household Mexican neighborhood in Mexico City.
Hidden Dangers of Steroid Content
What’s more, health experts have expressed alarm over the undisclosed steroids contained in Artri Ajo King. Elizabeth Murphy, chief of endocrinology and metabolism at San Francisco General Hospital, has noted an alarming trend: in the past six months, she has treated three patients for complications stemming from the use of this supplement.
“The tricky part is, patients [taking Artri Ajo King] actually feel better because the high-dose steroids treat arthritis pain,” – Elizabeth Murphy
Murphy warns that though users can feel immediate effects, the long-term impact can be devastating. Using this long-term can stop your body from making cortisol on its own. This can result in devastating complications, even in the midst of an operation.
“It’s not a safe treatment for joint pain. And because it’s not a listed ingredient, you don’t even know how much of these steroids is in the medication. You don’t even know which steroid it is.” – Elizabeth Murphy
Surgeons at one of the largest Latino-serving hospitals in Los Angeles are proactively screening pre-operative patients. More recently, they have been closely monitoring the use of Artri Ajo King. That proactive approach is the best way to prepare for any complications that may come about during surgical procedures.
Response from Health Authorities
Health experts have released wide-ranging public health reports and statements of concern. Yet, despite multiple asks for clarification on the availability of Artri Ajo King in the city, the San Francisco Department of Public Health has not responded. This breakdown in communication has created an environment where consumers are left uninformed and uncertain about the dangers of abuse with this sometimes dangerous and widely used supplement.
Pieter Cohen, an expert on dietary supplements and a longtime critic of the industry, shared his alarm about the present moment. He adds that it’s become impossible to tell which supplements are safe or effective and which ones have harmful ingredients.
“There’s no way to distinguish legitimate supplements from illegal supplements.” – Pieter Cohen
He emphasizes that consumers should be cautious. “There might be some real misleading advertising going on,” he warns, suggesting that individuals who recommend such products bear a responsibility for their safety.
“I think people should be really concerned,” – Pieter Cohen
To see continued and widespread sale of Artri Ajo King is indicative not only of regulatory efficacy but a consumer’s lack of awareness. And countless others continue to take this supplement to get relief. Health officials are calling on more to be done to educate the public about the possible dangers of unregulated products.