Turmeric and greens are among the supplements that land American adults in the hospital for liver damage

Millions of Americans may be putting their liver health at risk simply by trying to improve their overall health. A new study has revealed the extent of the damage caused by consuming popular plant-based supplements such as turmeric, green tea, ashwagandhaand Garcinia cambogia. All of these are extremely popular around the world – known for their weight loss, stress relief, joint health and immunity boosting properties.

Researchers at the University of Michigan said they analyzed data from 2017 to 2021, covering nearly 10,000 people, and found that nearly 4.7 percent of American adults had consumed one of six potentially toxic supplements within a month. Those supplements included:

Herbal supplements are causing liver toxicity

According to the study, these supplements are increasingly causing liver toxicity and many people, mostly elderly, are unaware that they carry a serious risk of overdose. Statistics indicate that hospitalizations have increased by between 7 and 20 percent in the decade between 2004 and 2014.

“The use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) accounts for an increasing proportion of drug-related hepatotoxicity cases,” said the researchers, led by Alisa Likhitsup, associate professor of gastroenterology.

What is hepatotoxicity??

According to the study, the supplements cause drug-induced hepatotoxicity, an acute and chronic liver injury that can be fatal if not treated in time. Also known as liver toxicity, the condition causes permanent liver damage with a range of symptoms such as yellowing of the skin, fatigue, nausea, rash, itching and upper right abdominal pain.

Doctors say the condition can be treated by removing the toxic trigger, but it can have serious consequences.

What should be done to prevent hepatotoxicity?

Researchers say that although hospitalizations due to misuse of herbal supplements are increasing, there is no need to abstain from them, but there is a need to be very careful and watch out for ingredients and dosages, especially if they are taken in combination.

“In view of the lack of regulatory oversight over the manufacturing and testing of botanical products, it is recommended that physicians obtain a complete drug use history and SDS when evaluating patients with unexplained symptoms or liver test abnormalities,” they wrote in the study. “Considering the widespread and increasing popularity of botanical products, we urge government authorities to consider increasing regulatory oversight over how botanical products are produced, marketed, tested, and monitored in the general population.”

Furthermore, clinical trials on the supplements’ effectiveness have not provided any evidence of their benefits compared to their risks, so it is best to take prescription drugs alongside them in safe doses. “The safety and efficacy of HDS are not well established due to the lack of regulatory requirements by the US Food and Drug Administration for prospective clinical or pharmacokinetic trials in humans prior to marketing,” the researchers added.