A 19-year-old college student named Kalaiyarasi, resident of Kamraj Cross Street in the rural town of Meenambalpuram, Sellur, passed away on January 17 following an apparent reaction to a weight loss product she purchased from a native medicine shop near Thermutti, Keezhamasi Street.
Kalaiyarasi, the daughter of daily wage earner Vel Murugan (51) and Vijayalakshmi, was admitted to a private hospital in Munisalai after experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea last week, following her consumption of the product as per instructions provided in a YouTube video from the channel ‘Venkaaram to melt fat and slim body’.
The young woman returned home after receiving treatment but continued to suffer from severe stomach pain and blood in her stools. She sought further medical attention at a nearby hospital that evening, only to return home crying and clinging to her father.
Tragically, her health deteriorated around 11 pm, with intense vomiting and diarrhoea leading to her death en route to Government Rajaji Hospital. A post-mortem was conducted on Kalaiyarasi’s body, which was later handed over to her family. Sellur police have registered a case and are currently investigating the incident.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of weight loss products available in local medicine shops, as well as the accuracy and accountability of online health and fitness advice.
