In San Francisco's Mission District, a dangerous health crisis is unfolding within the Latino community as immigrants continue using a potentially lethal pain relief supplement despite urgent warnings from American health authorities.
The Hidden Dangers in 'Natural' Remedies
Gloria Caballero, 52, discovered the terrifying truth about Artri Ajo King after years of relying on the supplement for her chronic knee pain. The house cleaner had been taking the yellow-and-blue pills twice daily for four years, initially experiencing dramatic pain relief that allowed her to work without discomfort.
However, during a routine checkup at Mission Neighborhood Health Center this May, her nurse practitioner Steve Leiner identified the source of her alarming symptoms: severe bruising covering her body and facial swelling. Blood tests revealed her natural cortisol levels had dropped to near zero, indicating the development of Cushing's syndrome caused by hidden steroids in the supplement.
Widespread Use Despite Known Risks
Medical professionals in San Francisco report growing usage of Artri Ajo King and related supplements like Artri King, AK Forte and Ortiga Ajo Rey among Latino immigrants working physically demanding jobs. The FDA issued import alerts and warnings in 2022, yet the message hasn't reached many Spanish-speaking consumers.
Dr Elizabeth Murphy, chief of endocrinology at San Francisco General Hospital, has treated multiple patients with complications from these supplements. "It's unfortunately very common," she said. "We're seeing more and more usage even though it was banned by the FDA in 2022."
Laboratory analyses have revealed the supplements contain powerful prescription drugs including:
- Diclofenac - a strong anti-inflammatory
- Dexamethasone - a corticosteroid
- Methocarbamol - a muscle relaxant
Why the Warnings Aren't Working
Despite recalls from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart, the supplements remain readily available in San Francisco's Mission District stores, retailing for $20 to $40 per box. Store clerks reported selling three to four boxes daily, with some customers buying entire stocks.
Pieter Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School who studies supplement safety, explained the regulatory gap: "There's no way to distinguish legitimate supplements from illegal supplements." Since these products are marketed as supplements rather than medications, the FDA can only intervene after receiving multiple harm reports.
The consequences of using Artri Ajo King can be severe and long-lasting. Patients have developed:
- Severe osteoporosis leading to broken bones and hip replacements
- Diabetes and significant weight gain
- Liver toxicity and bleeding ulcers
- Adrenal insufficiency requiring years of medical supervision to wean off safely
Steve Leiner emphasised the withdrawal dangers: "If you bring usage down too quickly, the body won't generate its own cortisol. If these patients had a major injury, they could go into shock and die."
For Gloria Caballero, quitting the supplement meant returning to debilitating knee pain that makes walking difficult. Despite knowing the risks, she admits keeping leftover pills, reflecting the difficult choice many face between chronic pain and dangerous relief.
