Kratom Hazards Recent Salmonella Outbreak

Kratom Hazards Salmonella Out Break

Key Take Away

1. Kratom and Salmonella Outbreak Link: The press release highlights a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections associated with kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia, used for its stimulant and opioid-like effects.
2. One Case in Illinois: Among the multiple states affected, Illinois has reported one case connected to this outbreak, emphasizing the widespread nature of this health issue.
3. Symptoms of Salmonella: The article outlines the symptoms of Salmonella infection, including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which are crucial for public awareness and early detection.
4. Public Health Advisory: The release serves as a public health advisory, informing people about the potential risks associated with kratom consumption and the current outbreak.
5. Precautionary Measures: It underscores the importance of precautions to avoid contamination and recommends seeking medical attention if symptoms are observed.

1. The Rising Popularity of Kratom: An Overview

Kratom, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, has gained significant attention for its potential benefits and risks. Traditionally used for its medicinal properties, kratom has become increasingly popular in Western countries. It’s known for its stimulant effects and as an opioid substitute, consumed in various forms like powder, capsules, and tea.

SUMMARY

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported a multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to kratom, with one case identified in Illinois. This situation raises concerns about the safety of consuming kratom products for lawmakers nationwide.

2. Health Benefits and Uses of Kratom

Kratom leaves contain compounds that interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing sedation, pleasure, and decreased pain. It’s often used for:

• Pain relief
• Mood enhancement
• Energy boost
• Opioid withdrawal relief
• Muscle Relaxant

Despite its therapeutic potential, kratom is not FDA-approved due to insufficient research on its long-term effects. This maybe the position of the FDA however there several great studies by proponents of kratom including many private short term and long term studies that clearly show it is in fact a reasonable replacement for opioids.

3. The Kratom-Salmonella Outbreak Connection

A recent multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections has been linked to kratom products. This raises concerns about the safety and quality control in the production and distribution of kratom supplements.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Salmonella infection symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea and vomiting

Symptoms typically appear within 6 to 72 hours after exposure and can last up to a week.

4. Safety Measures and Recommendations

To prevent contamination and spread of Salmonella, it’s crucial to:

• Ensure proper hygiene and sanitation in kratom production
• Avoid consumption of raw or improperly processed kratom
• Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen

5. Individual Experiences Of Illness

In 2018 I spoke with one particular client of mine who I hadn’t seen in a while. They had first discovered kratom from my shop The Daily Dose. After some time he stopped coming in. When he did visit again he wanted to buy kratom and mentioned he was buying kilos of cheap kratom online and that in one instance he had gotten sick beyond belief.

He didn’t think anything of it for over a week and continued to take it till he ended up in the emergency room. It became clear at that point he was ill because of Salmonella poisoning.

The point here is do not fall for cheap kratom, inexpensive kratom is cheap for a reason and it’s not worth your health or your life to save some money.

6. The Need for Regulated Kratom Production

The kratom-Salmonella outbreak underscores the need for regulated production and quality control. Establishing standard practices can help ensure the safety and efficacy of kratom products. Over the years the American Kratom Association has made ground breaking changes in Congress with a Bill they themselves helped write. The purpose is to help importers and manufacturers follow a set of guidelines that will enable them to come out of the darkness and into a realm of transparency.

This Bill is called The American Kratom Consumer Protection Act and it is a very comprehensive document led by prominent figures in the kratom world and industry. The Bill outlines exactly how to handle kratom from import, lab testing, processing, packaging and even labeling. This Bill has been enacted by 4 states as of now they are as follows;

1. Arizona
2. Georgia
3. Nevada
4. Utah

There is an on going effort to keep kratom safe you can join the fight by signing the petition. Here is the recent Tweet from the AKA discussing how you can participate in keeping kratom safe for everyone.

7. Conclusion: Kratom News & A Balanced Approach

While kratom offers potential health benefits, its safety and efficacy require more research and regulation according to the FDA. The current position by the FDA on Kratom can be found here FDA Disclosure Of Kratom. Consumers should exercise caution and only purchase kratom from reputable sources that can provide lab reports of what they carry and sell.

Though experts recommend speaking with a doctor about kratom, from my experience very few doctors are even familiar with kratom by name let alone be able to make recommendations to anyone wanting to try it.

FAQs

Sources:

• Breaking News: https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.15447.html
• FDA: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_1137.html

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• Kratom-News Now FDA And Information
• Kratom-News Today: Mis-Information On The Ban
• Kratom Bans News Now Info And Politics
• Kratom Seizure In Oklahoma Explained
• Kratom Use Linked To Liver Damage: The Data

Meet The Author

Mike Korlin

I have been studying and applying functional medicine in my personal life for nearly a decade. As a student, a retailer and a human being my knowledge is drawn from my own and thousands of other peoples experiences that I have spoken to or aided in discovering the wonderful world of plant medicines.