Top 7 “Natural” Supplements That May Cause Liver Damage

Did you know that not all natural supplements are as safe as they seem? While some can offer health benefits, others might harm your liver, the most vital organ responsible for cleansing your body. NIH research has revealed that liver injury induced by herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) accounts for 20% of hepatotoxicity cases in the United States. This means being cautious about your supplements, which is crucial for safeguarding your liver health. Keep reading to explore 7 natural supplements that may cause liver damage, either directly or through interactions with other medications. Additionally, we'll address liver damage signs, delve into liver-stressing vitamins, and provide practical supplement selection tips for liver health maintenance.

7 Natural Supplements That Cause Liver Damage

While many turn to natural supplements for improved health, some contain unexpected downsides.

It's important to be aware of potential side effects, especially those impacting the vital liver.

Here are 7 commonly used supplements that, under certain circumstances, can harm your liver:

Kava: This Pacific Island drink provides relaxation but can cause liver injury or failure, especially in those with pre-existing liver issues or taking medications.
Green tea extract: Packed with beneficial antioxidants, this concentrated form can have a dark side. High doses or underlying liver issues can lead to liver toxicity, jaundice, and even failure.
Comfrey: This plant might seem helpful for wounds, but it hides harmful chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These can seriously damage your liver, blocking vital veins and potentially leading to failure.
Chaparral: While some use it for health reasons, this plant contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a toxic chemical. It can cause liver inflammation, hepatitis infection, and even failure in some individuals.
Aloe vera: Known for its calming properties on the skin, aloe vera juice or gel taken internally can have unexpected consequences. Liver toxicity, hepatitis, and even failure have been reported, especially in high doses or with pre-existing liver issues.
Black cohosh: Although helpful for managing menopausal symptoms, black cohosh contains triterpene glycosides that can affect the liver. This can lead to hepatitis, jaundice, and even liver failure in some individuals.
Echinacea: While this popular immune booster aims to fight infections, it can have its own battle with the liver. Liver toxicity, hepatitis, and even failure have been reported, particularly in high doses or individuals with autoimmune diseases or liver disorders.

Do Natural Supplements Cause Hepatotoxicity?

As mentioned earlier, herbal and dietary supplements contribute to 20% of hepatotoxicity cases in the US.

The research found significant culprits like anabolic steroids, green tea extract, and multi-ingredient nutritional supplements (MINS) as common causes.

Anabolic steroids, often sold as bodybuilding supplements, usually result in a prolonged cholestatic liver injury. A specific pattern in blood tests and liver tissue samples characterizes this type of injury.

On the flip side, green tea extract and similar products are prone to trigger acute liver injury, with symptoms closely mirroring those of hepatitis.

However, the majority of HDS-associated liver injuries are linked to MINS, where the specific toxic component is often unknown.

This poses challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Improved regulatory oversight is crucial to ensure the purity and safety of non-prescription products.

Collaboration among healthcare professionals, chemists, and toxicologists is essential to identifying and regulating harmful ingredients and promoting public safety.

Symptoms Of Liver Damage

Symptoms indicating potential liver function issues can appear in various ways.

Other symptoms include:

Fever
Itching
Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
Lower legs, ankles, or feet swelling (edema)
Nausea
Vomiting
White or gray stool

These indications could appear rapidly or gradually, depending on the cause and severity of liver injury.

It is vital to consult a physician promptly if you notice any of these signs so they can evaluate the condition and provide necessary treatment.

What Vitamins Are Hard On The Liver?

Vitamin A and niacin (vitamin B3) are the vitamins that are hard on the liver in high doses.

While most vitamins, when taken within recommended amounts, rarely cause liver harm, vitamin A and niacin can lead to distinctive forms of liver injury.

This risk arises because many vitamins, especially fat-soluble ones, are concentrated, metabolized, and stored in the liver.

Exceeding safe intake levels can overload the liver's capacity to process these vitamins, resulting in liver damage.

Thus, caution should be exercised with vitamin A and niacin supplementation to prevent liver injury.

Tips To Keep Your Liver Healthy

While some supplements may be effective in supporting liver health, it is important to talk to your doctor about it and only take those that are prescribed.

Consult your doctor: Before considering any herbal product, discuss it with your doctor. They can provide insights into potential risks and interactions with other medications.
Avoid risky supplements: Be cautious with supplements containing multiple herbs or unfamiliar ingredients. Some, like green tea extract or anabolic steroids, can harm your liver.
Research ingredients: Look up the ingredients of herbal remedies before using them. Certain herbs, such as milk thistle, may benefit liver health, but others, like comfrey or kava, can cause damage.
Check LiverTox: Visit the LiverTox website to learn about supplements that may harm your liver. This resource provides information on ingredients known to cause liver injury.
Choose certified supplements: Opt for supplements tested by independent labs like ConsumerLab or NSF International to ensure purity and safety.
Inform your doctor: Report all supplements to your doctor to avoid potential interactions with prescription medications, especially if you have liver issues.
Limit supplement use: Take herbal products according to the recommended dosage and prioritize maintaining a balanced diet and lifestyle to promote overall liver health.

Summary: 7 Natural Supplements That Cause Liver Damage

Be careful with some natural supplements, as they can hurt your liver.

Be cautious with kava, green tea extract, comfrey, chaparral, aloe vera, black cohosh, and echinacea supplements, especially if you have liver issues or take other medications.

Watch for signs like tiredness, yellow skin, or belly pain, which could mean liver damage.

Too much vitamin A and niacin can harm your liver. Before starting any new supplements, consult your doctor first.

Check what's inside them and pick brands that have been properly tested and approved.

Eating healthy foods and living a good lifestyle is best for keeping your liver healthy. Only use supplements when you really need them.