Used as an herbal remedy and generally considered safe, ingestion of white mulberry leaf and its adverse effects ultimately led to the death of a congressman's wife. This case underscores the potential risks of dietary supplements.
Samantha YoungSACRAMENTO, Calif. — The wife of a Northern California congressman died late last year after ingesting a plant that is generally considered safe and is used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, including diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol, KHN has learned.
It's unclear from the autopsy report whether Lori McClintock took a dietary supplement containing white mulberry leaf, ate fresh or dried leaves, or drank them in a tea, but a"partially intact" white mulberry leaf was found in her stomach, according to the report. "It's completely speculative. There's a science to this. It's not just what a coroner feels," said Fabricant, who oversaw dietary supplements at the FDA during the Obama administration."People unfortunately pass from dehydration every day, and there's a lot of different reasons and a lot of different causes."
Tom McClintock has remained mostly silent about his wife's death since he released a statement on Dec. 19, 2021, announcing it and gave a tribute to her at her Jan. 4 funeral. Until now, the cause of death had not been reported. According to the coroner's report, however, the day before her death,"she had complaints of an upset stomach."
The leaves and fruit of the white mulberry tree, which is native to China, have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Academic studies over the past decade have found that the extract from its leaves can lower blood sugar levels and help with weight loss. People take it in capsule or pill form, as an extract or powder. They can also brew the leaves as an herbal tea.
White mulberry leaf can have side effects, including nausea and diarrhea, according to research. Independent lab tests ordered by the coroner's office showed McClintock's body had elevated levels of nitrogen, sodium, and creatinine — all signs of dehydration, according to three pathologists who reviewed the coroner's documents, which KHN redacted to remove McClintock's name.
The FDA estimates 40,000 to 80,000 supplement products are on the market in the U.S., and industry surveys estimate 80% of Americans use them. "Companies are testing products throughout the process, are reviewing how they're being manufactured and what's going into them," Olsen said."All of that is overseen and dictated by FDA regulation."
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