The Problem with Supplements and Liver Toxicity

Problems and Solutions with Supplement Usage

1. Types of Botanical Supplements that can cause Liver Issues

2. What is Hepatotoxicity

3. Managing your Supplement Use

1. Types of Botanical Supplements

When taken in small doses and recommended doses, most botanical herbs are non-toxic and safe. However, due to influencers and people taking an interest in preventative health, the usage of botanical supplements has increased significantly over the decades. The common supplements for health, vitality, and weight loss include turmeric, ashwaghanda, green tea extract, ephedra, black cohosh, garcinia cambogia, hoodia, valerian root, and guarana. 

In a recent study published in 2024, 16% of liver toxicity cases were attributed to supplement use. Scientists are still trying to understand how these supplements are causing liver damage, which in some cases can be lethal. Since there are no regulatory bodies that determine potency, or how the supplements are mixed with other ingredients that may or may not be harmful, the consumer is left to figure it out on their own. 

2. What is Hepatotoxicity?

Hepatotoxicity is the same as liver toxicity, which is caused by damage to the liver by toxic substances. They can be supplements or pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, chemicals or other toxins. In some cases, even fatty liver can result from consuming toxic substances.

In many cases of liver toxicity, the patient is often reluctant to reveal their supplement usage. It's always important to share all medications and supplements with your health care practitioners so that they can make better decisions about how to diagnose and treat illnesses.

Some symptoms of hepatotoxicity include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, jaundice, loss of appetite and fever. 

Often, when people stop taking the toxins these symptoms will resolve themselves. It might take weeks or months, but it can be treated. However, with chronic hepatotoxicity and long-term use of the problematic toxin, that could be a sign of cirrhosis of the liver which may require medical intervention (liver transplant). 

3. Managing Your Supplement Usage

Before starting any supplement, please speak to a doctor of pharmacist about whether it is safe to take with your current health conditions and prescriptions. The last thing you need is a severe reaction that you weren't expecting. 

Only take the recommended dose of a supplement and ensure it's from a reputable source with a long-history of safety. Look up how supplements are prepared and contact the manufacturer for more information if it's not readily available. 

Some medications claim to be GLP-1 alternatives because they can bring down blood sugar naturally. Do not take these supplements if you are diabetic or already on a GLP-1 medication. They can cause hypoglycemia and can be dangerous to take without a doctor's supervision. These include berberine, ashwaghanda, hoodia, alpha-lipoic acid, and cinnamon.

Monitor Your Supplement Usage 

Please do not take supplement usage lightly and ensure that there are no dangerous reactions that you could be suceptible to. No one is regulating every supplement that comes onto the market. FDA or Health Canada approval just means that there's nothing inherently poisonous about the product. However, everyone has different sensitivities, allergies, genetics, and medical conditions that can really change the way the body processes different types of food and non-food products. 

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