Liver Danger: 6 Popular Supplements to Avoid
Many people take supplements every day whether it’s for better workouts, glowing skin, or general wellness. But new research is raising a red flag: some of these popular supplements may be harming your liver.
New Study Links Common Supplements to Liver Risk
Researchers from the University of Michigan have found that several commonly used herbal and dietary supplements may contain ingredients that are toxic to the liver. Their findings, published in the journal JAMA, are based on national survey data from 2017 to 2020.
They discovered that about 4.7% of American adults regularly use supplements containing one or more potentially harmful plant-based ingredients, such as:
- Turmeric
- Green Tea Extract
- Ashwagandha
- Black Cohosh
- Garcinia Cambogia
- Red Yeast Rice
Why Experts Are Concerned
Dr. Alisa Likhitsup, a liver specialist and lead author of the study, said their interest began when they noticed several cases of liver problems linked to supplement use in an ongoing liver injury study. But until now, it was unclear how many people were actually taking these supplements.
Another expert, Dr. Robert Fontana, a senior liver specialist at Michigan Medicine, highlighted a troubling discovery: around 50% of the tested supplements didn’t match their label claims. In simple terms, half of the products didn’t contain what they said they did or had extra ingredients not mentioned.
“If you buy a supplement, there’s basically a 50/50 chance the label is accurate,” said Dr. Fontana.
Doctors Often Don’t Ask About Supplement Use
One of the findings from the study is that many healthcare providers don’t ask patients about their supplement use. Since supplements are not tightly regulated like prescription drugs, their safety and side effects often go unnoticed during routine medical visits.
“We didn’t realize how many people are using these supplements on their own,” said Dr. Likhitsup. “This makes it harder for doctors to detect possible side effects.”
Turmeric, Green Tea Among Most Used Supplements
Here’s how usage breaks down among the most common supplements:
- Turmeric: 3.46% of adults; mostly used for joint pain or arthritis
- Green Tea Extract: 1.01%; often used for boosting energy
- Ashwagandha and Black Cohosh: 0.38%
- Garcinia Cambogia: 0.27%; mainly for weight loss
- Red Yeast Rice: 0.19%
Most users took these supplements without a doctor’s advice, believing they would improve or maintain their health.
Liver Injuries from Supplements on the Rise
According to previous research, liver transplants due to supplement-related injury increased by 70% between 2010 and 2020, compared to the earlier period of 1994–2009. Although this new study didn’t prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the growing usage of potentially harmful supplements is enough to concern researchers.
Conclusion
Experts are not suggesting you panic or throw away all your supplements. Instead, they encourage more awareness and better conversations between patients and healthcare providers.
“We’re not trying to alarm anyone,” Dr. Fontana emphasized. “But we do want people to understand that many over-the-counter supplements haven’t been properly tested for safety.”
Before adding any supplement to your routine, especially herbal or plant-based ones, speak with your doctor. Natural doesn’t always mean safe especially for your liver.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
