Popular Herbal Supplements Linked to Liver Injury and Other Health Issues
For decades, herbal supplements have been touted as a natural way to improve health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, a growing number of cases are revealing that these so-called "miracle cures" can actually cause serious harm.
Take the case of Fernanda Thompson, a 40-year-old Florida woman who began taking turmeric in an effort to boost her immunity during COVID-19. What started as a harmless addition to her morning smoothie quickly turned into a nightmare when she was diagnosed with low white blood cell count and liver enlargement.
Thompson's story is not unique. According to experts, millions of Americans take potentially toxic compounds on a daily basis, including turmeric, ashwagandha, and green tea extract. In fact, research suggests that 15.6 million Americans are taking these substances without proper knowledge or regulation.
The problem is that the liver's normal detoxification functions can be overwhelmed by these compounds, leading to serious health issues. "It's more common now to see some severe cases of liver injury end up in the hospital," says Dr. Alisa Likhitsup, a gastroenterology and transplant hepatologist at the University of Michigan.
While some people may not experience any adverse effects from taking herbal supplements, others can suffer from severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, fevers, fatigue, and jaundice. In extreme cases, liver failure can even lead to death.
The reasons behind these unpredictable reactions are still not fully understood, but researchers believe that genetics play a significant role. "We do find unique genetic susceptibility factors among people who get liver injury," says Dr. Robert Fontana, a leading global authority on drug-induced liver disease.
Fontana's team has been studying the effects of herbal supplements on the liver since 2004 and has documented a growing trend of liver injuries linked to these substances. In 2022 alone, cases of drug-induced liver failure requiring waitlisting for liver transplantation due to herbal dietary supplements increased eightfold.
While it may seem unlikely that herbal supplements can cause harm, experts warn that even small doses can have significant effects. "You're playing Russian roulette with your genetic ability to tolerate it," says Fontana.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of people becoming seriously ill after taking ashwagandha and other herbal supplements. One case involved a 46-year-old former lawyer who developed severe liver inflammation and was hospitalized for several weeks.
While these stories are alarming, experts stress that most supplements are unnecessary and that proper nutrition can provide the same benefits without the risk of adverse effects. "Proper nutrition is best achieved through diet," says Dr. Qianzhi Jiang, a registered dietitian based near Boston.
In light of these concerns, experts are calling for greater regulation and education on herbal supplements. "There's very few physicians out there that are well-educated on drug-induced liver injury and the harmful impact of supplements," says Kathuria, the former lawyer who suffered from ashwagandha toxicity.
As the popularity of herbal supplements continues to grow, it's essential that consumers take a closer look at what they're putting into their bodies. "The fact that it's a plant doesn't mean it's effective or safe," warns Fernanda Thompson, who wishes she had never taken turmeric in the first place.
For decades, herbal supplements have been touted as a natural way to improve health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, a growing number of cases are revealing that these so-called "miracle cures" can actually cause serious harm.
Take the case of Fernanda Thompson, a 40-year-old Florida woman who began taking turmeric in an effort to boost her immunity during COVID-19. What started as a harmless addition to her morning smoothie quickly turned into a nightmare when she was diagnosed with low white blood cell count and liver enlargement.
Thompson's story is not unique. According to experts, millions of Americans take potentially toxic compounds on a daily basis, including turmeric, ashwagandha, and green tea extract. In fact, research suggests that 15.6 million Americans are taking these substances without proper knowledge or regulation.
The problem is that the liver's normal detoxification functions can be overwhelmed by these compounds, leading to serious health issues. "It's more common now to see some severe cases of liver injury end up in the hospital," says Dr. Alisa Likhitsup, a gastroenterology and transplant hepatologist at the University of Michigan.
While some people may not experience any adverse effects from taking herbal supplements, others can suffer from severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, fevers, fatigue, and jaundice. In extreme cases, liver failure can even lead to death.
The reasons behind these unpredictable reactions are still not fully understood, but researchers believe that genetics play a significant role. "We do find unique genetic susceptibility factors among people who get liver injury," says Dr. Robert Fontana, a leading global authority on drug-induced liver disease.
Fontana's team has been studying the effects of herbal supplements on the liver since 2004 and has documented a growing trend of liver injuries linked to these substances. In 2022 alone, cases of drug-induced liver failure requiring waitlisting for liver transplantation due to herbal dietary supplements increased eightfold.
While it may seem unlikely that herbal supplements can cause harm, experts warn that even small doses can have significant effects. "You're playing Russian roulette with your genetic ability to tolerate it," says Fontana.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of people becoming seriously ill after taking ashwagandha and other herbal supplements. One case involved a 46-year-old former lawyer who developed severe liver inflammation and was hospitalized for several weeks.
While these stories are alarming, experts stress that most supplements are unnecessary and that proper nutrition can provide the same benefits without the risk of adverse effects. "Proper nutrition is best achieved through diet," says Dr. Qianzhi Jiang, a registered dietitian based near Boston.
In light of these concerns, experts are calling for greater regulation and education on herbal supplements. "There's very few physicians out there that are well-educated on drug-induced liver injury and the harmful impact of supplements," says Kathuria, the former lawyer who suffered from ashwagandha toxicity.
As the popularity of herbal supplements continues to grow, it's essential that consumers take a closer look at what they're putting into their bodies. "The fact that it's a plant doesn't mean it's effective or safe," warns Fernanda Thompson, who wishes she had never taken turmeric in the first place.
Like, I was sipping on it and suddenly I started thinking about how much I hate when they run out of milk... Ugh, just the thought of it makes me wanna freak out! 
Anyway, back to herbal supplements... I mean, I've been taking some stuff for my anxiety and I'm all like "wait, is this really safe? 
Shouldn't I be checking if there are any liver injury warnings on the label?" 
Is it like, a certain number of fruits and veggies per day or something? 
but now its like we're putting toxic stuff into our bodies without even knowing 
fernanda's story is so scary she almost died from taking turmeric thinking it would boost her immunity lol what if she had just taken a vitamin c supplement or something instead of playing russian roulette with her genes 
anyway i think the government should step up and regulate these herbal supplements better because right now its like they're just flying under the radar 
. I mean, I know some of them can be okay, but all these cases of liver injury and other health problems are just crazy 
. And it's not just about the supplements themselves, it's also about the lack of education and regulation around them 
. I think we need to be more careful about what we put in our bodies, especially when it comes to natural stuff 
. It's always better to stick with a balanced diet and talk to a doc before trying anything new 
.
. I mean, who wants to be one of those people who has to deal with abdominal pain, fevers, and fatigue because they took a supplement they thought was harmless? 
It just doesn't seem like it's worth the risk.
. I'm all for trying new things to improve your health, but this is just crazy. We need to be more careful about what we put into our bodies and make sure we're getting the information we need before making a decision.
. We do need greater regulation and education on herbal supplements, especially when it comes to liver injury and other health issues. I just hope people start listening and taking action to protect themselves 
.
. We shouldn't have to worry about liver injury or other side effects just because we're trying to feel good about ourselves 
. I want to know what I'm putting in my body before it puts me in the hospital 
.
Liver Injury Alert 
That's like rolling a die and hoping you don't hit a critical number! 
It's about being aware of the risks and making informed choices.
and btw can we pls get these ppl educated on liver function already? its a simple detox thingy 
- you might think its harmless but trust me, they can cause some major damage 
.
. And I'm like, yeah, genetics might play a role in it all, but shouldn't we be more careful about what we put into our bodies? 
And it's not just about liver problems either - there are other health issues too, like low white blood cell count and fatigue.
. It's not just about the liver injury, it's about the countless other health issues that can arise from taking these substances 
. Who's regulating these products, anyway? And what's with the "natural" label? That just means nothing to me 
.
but now I'm thinking twice about what I put in my body. I think it's crazy how many people take these things without knowing the risks 
#LiverHealthMatters #HerbalSupplementAwareness #StayInformed
. We need more research and more regulation to keep our bodies safe from these potentially toxic compounds 