These Popular Supplements Might Cause Liver Damage, Study Finds—Are You Taking Any of Them?
TikTok is always ripe with the newest health craze, whether it’s taking hot girl walks or drinking raw milk. Another tip you may have heard creators rave about—that's also been used throughout history by people of various cultures—is consuming herbs or supplements. People may take them when they're in pain, feel bloated, are racked with anxiety, or need a boost of energy, for example.
At the same time, it’s important to note that supplements aren’t *always* safe, even if they have the “natural” label. Supplements aren’t FDA-approved before hitting stores, and they can cause harm if taken in excess. According to the Cleveland Clinic, too much of certain vitamins and supplements can increase the risk of osteoporosis, neuropathy and even death.
Related: A Study of 12,000 People Found That Taking This One Supplement May Lower Your Dementia Risk by 40%
An August 2024 study in JAMA Network Open found that 5 percent of adults have taken one of the six supplements that are dangerous for the liver (the organ that filters out toxins and waste in the body).
Supplements That Damage the Liver
The supplements the study mentioned include:
Ashwagandha, used to support the nervous and endocrine systems; improve sleep; and boost mood, energy and immune levels
Black cohosh, used for pain, night sweats, menopausal symptoms and irritability
Garcinia cambogia, used for weight loss, pain and digestive symptom relief
Green tea extract (not green tea itself!), used for an energy boost, heart health and skin health
Red yeast rice, used to lower cholesterol, improve blood circulation and promote digestion
Turmeric or curcumin, used for inflammation, arthritis and anxiety
Related: The Very Best Foods for Your Liver, from Berries to Coffee and Green Tea
Liver damage can exist before symptoms show, and some people won’t have symptoms at all. The symptoms of liver disease that may appear, though, include nausea, lack of appetite, discomfort on the right upper corner of the abdomen, generalized itching, dark urine and yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin.
Related: It’s Not Just Alcohol! How Soda, Lack of Sleep and Other Common Habits Harm Your Liver
Alternatives to Those Supplements
If you’re tempted to take one of these supplements, consider other ways to get the nutrients or benefits they store. For example, some of the best foods for brain health include blueberries, avocados and nuts. If you need help falling asleep, a bowl of cherries or glass of milk might do the trick. Also, mindful breathing and exercise are natural energy boosters, believe it or not. These are other options that can help you meet those needs.
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Sources
Estimated Exposure to 6 Potentially Hepatotoxic Botanicals in US Adults, JAMA Network Open
Supplements: They're Not as Safe as You Might Think, Cleveland Clinic
Black Cohosh, National Institutes of Health
Garcinia Cambogia, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Is Green Tea Extract Beneficial?, Cleveland Clinic
Red yeast rice, Mount Sinai
Turmeric Benefits, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Medications and the Liver, American College of Gastroenterology
Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity, Mayo Clinic
