3 Trendy Supplements That Could Be Damaging Your Liver

Not everything natural is harmless. We have seen it many times. However, we will continue to succumb to any herbal trend we find on social media. And the invasion Influencers on Instagram or TikTok has led to some substances that would have been a piece of cake for us years ago suddenly becoming a must-have in our diet. There are some to lose weight, to improve defense, to relieve stress… When you read their properties, it’s impossible not to want them all, as if they were Pokémon. The problem is that, just as Pikachu can shock you and Charmander can light a fire, many of them additives seemingly harmless people end up feeding on ours liver.

It’s hard to believe, since many of these compounds are found in foods that are widely present in our diet. How can they be dangerous then? The main thing is in the dosage. Food additives concentrate their active ingredients to make them more effective, but they also mean that sometimes our liver can’t cope with their metabolism. As a result, it may suffer a little damage at first, but it will be very alarming if the consumption is not stopped in time.

Something as simple as green tea has already caused several cases of liver failure when taken in supplement form. So, before taking any pills or herbs recommended by your favorite influencer, consult your doctor.

We consume too many food additives

Recently, a group of scientists from University of Michigan showed in the study that 5% of Americans They regularly consume supplements that can damage their liver. They obviously don’t realize it because, being natural, they think they will be completely harmless.

Unfortunately, dietary supplements don’t have to be subject to the same scrutiny as drugs. The labs that make them aren’t required to conduct clinical studies, and labeling rules aren’t as strict. This means consumers have even less knowledge about what they’re taking, and if they hear about its benefits on social media, they forget to check to see if they have it. losses.

Exotic Ashwagandha

One of the supplements considered in the University of Michigan study was ashwagandha. The supplement is popular on social media for many reasons, but primarily because of its purported ability modulate emotions and reduce stress. People with anxiety disorders are advised to take it regularly. There are all sorts of dietary supplements that contain it, even some in chewable form, so that the moment of taking it is pleasant and memorable.

It should be said that despite its fashionability, ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, has been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years, or Ayurveda. It is believed to be an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stressors so they do not upset the balance and cause anxiety.

Nowadays, many Ayurvedic methods have undergone more thorough scientific research, so it turns out that they do not work at all. In the case of this herb, it is not even possible to determine which of its active ingredients are responsible for its beneficial effects. Their mechanisms of action are also not well known. But it is known that its use can cause liver damage. In fact, Several cases have been registered.

One of them was published in 2023 by a group of Polish scientists. They described the case of a patient hospitalized with something similar to acute hepatitis. In an interview about possible drugs, he admitted that he had been taking ashwagandha for a year. Very similar cases have recently been reported in countries such as Japan, the United States, and India, so they had no doubt that the supplements may have been the cause.

A happy ending, but with a twist

It was necessary to complete 4 cycles plasmapheresis, a procedure used to remove harmful substances from the blood. He also had to undergo medication to help his liver finish healing. Luckily, it ended in a scare, but this patient learned how important it is to monitor everything we take, even if it is natural supplements.

Be careful with turmeric supplements.

Turmeric has many health benefits: it strengthens the immune system, improves cardiovascular health, reduces arthritis symptoms, and even protects against diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Without a doubt, add this spice to your diet. This is a great idea.

The problem is with supplements that have become so fashionable lately. In this case, the active ingredient responsible for its benefits is well known. That is, which of the substances contained in turmeric helps improve our health. It is something known as curcumin and we can increasingly find it in many types of dietary supplements. The goal is to concentrate all the benefits in one capsule. But then again, all that glitters is not gold.

In 2023, a group of scientists from several American research centers analyzed Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) looking for cases linked to turmeric use. Ten such cases were identified between 2011 and 2022. The cases ranged in severity, from those who did not require hospitalization to one person who died of liver failure.

The study authors warned of the risks of taking these supplements either alone or in combination with black pepperIn fact, cases involving supplements that mixed both plants resulted in much more severe liver damage.

A cup of tea would be better than a pill

Green tea also has many benefits. In countries such as Japan There are many long-lived people there who claim to have drunk a cup of this tea every day their entire lives. As if they didn’t want to imitate them.

The problem is that there is an attempt again to further concentrate the benefits of green tea with supplements that contain very high levels of beneficial active ingredients. So high that they can be too hard on the liver.

A good example is the case of a woman who went to the hospital in 2019, concerned about the color of her urine. Tests showed that it had suffered liver failureso doctors questioned her to find out what the possible origin was. They found that he was taking green tea supplements to lose weight. It was noted that these supplements contained very high doses of catechins, substances that are beneficial at low levels, but in excess stop the action of the liver cells’ mitochondria. Since these are the organelles where cellular respiration and energy are produced, it is not surprising that his liver eventually failed.

Fortunately, once he stopped taking the supplements, his blood tests improved and he made a full recovery. However, others were not so lucky.