Summary: A new study found that the use of natural supplements is rising, though many of them are known to be hepatotoxic in the long run. Hence, the number of reports of liver damage due to the use of natural supplements is also rising. People are now using some of these supplements more commonly than drugs like painkillers or medications to lower bad cholesterol.
A new study done by researchers at the University of Michigan suggests that some of the most popular herbal supplements might also cause liver toxicity, and the risk is real. The findings of this new study were published in the JAMA Network Open.
Contrary to popular belief that “natural is safe,” scientific studies show that natural supplements may also cause multiple side effects. Natural supplements may also damage organs. This is especially vital to understand, considering that many of them are widely used for detoxification or as antioxidants. This means that they are not just used to manage health conditions; many people use them as a preventive measure.
It is true that natural supplements are relatively safe when compared to synthetic chemicals used as medications. This is the reason why natural supplements do not require US FDA approval for sales. However, this does not mean that the market is not regulated. US FDA still controls the market, monitors the toxicity of these products, and ensures that those selling food supplements do not make wild health claims.
Understanding the toxicity of natural supplements has become important, as they are now widely used. Of course, humans have used natural remedies for ages, but humans have never processed and packed natural remedies on an industrial scale. In olden times, traditional healers or people of experience often prescribed these remedies, and they were used sparingly.
However, we are now experiencing a boom in the market for natural remedies. Moreover, the average lifespan of humans has increased considerably, which means that many users of these natural remedies are relatively older adults. Older adults are even more prone to side effects. Chronic pain specialists often advise caution in supplement use, especially in older adults managing chronic pain conditions.
This new study estimates that more than 15 million US adults have used herbal supplements in the last 30 days, and many of them might damage their liver. Moreover, the study found that there has been an almost four-fold increase in the use of herbal remedies in the last two decades, which is significant. Additionally, people who use these supplements are already living with various health conditions like inflammatory disorders, joint pain, and more.
Numerous previous studies have shown that many herbals might be hepatotoxic. In this specific study, researchers particularly focused on ashwagandha, black cohosh, turmeric or curcumin, green tea extract, garcinia cambogia, and red yeast rice.
They found that these six botanicals are now already used more than some of the common drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or bad cholesterol-lowering drugs like simvastatin. So, the number of people using these herbals is massive. Some use these herbals to overcome inflammation and treat arthritis, but many use them to improve and maintain health.
So, the researchers warn that doctors must be aware of these statistics. Studies show that the number of people with liver injuries due to the use of botanicals has been rising steadily in the last few decades. In some instances, the injury is even fatal or requires liver transplantation. Hence, there is a need to increase awareness among doctors and consumers/patients alike. Interventional pain management in St. Louis centers also need to be aware of the potential risks of herbal supplements, as these are commonly used by patients seeking pain relief.
Researchers are not proposing to stop using these health supplements. However, they warn against their overuse or abuse. Many individuals might use them at higher dosages for months and years, for no apparent reason, believing them to be safe and improve health.
Additionally, researchers say that people must use a “food-first approach.” This essentially means giving priority to using these ingredients as food rather than taking commercially produced supplements. For example, it may be safer to add turmeric to various foods and curries or increase the intake of green tea as a beverage insteadof taking it as a health supplement.
Source:
Likhitsup, A., Chen, V. L., & Fontana, R. J. (2024). Estimated Exposure to 6 Potentially Hepatotoxic Botanicals in US Adults. JAMA Network Open, 7(8), e2425822. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.25822
