The liver is the main detoxifying organ, working constantly to eliminate toxins and metabolic waste before they do serious damage. Most health conscious people often use over-the-counter products, especially dietary supplements, to improve their overall well-being. However, while many supplements promote liver health, some even cause liver damage.
The Food and Drug Administration does not tightly regulate the manufacture, production, and content of various herbal and dietary supplements (HDS). As a result, they never undergo formal testing for efficacy or safety.
Consumption of these multi-ingredient nutritional supplements can lead to fatty liver disease, hepatotoxicity, and potentially serious or even fatal liver damage.
Foie gras: an overview
Fatty liver disease, often known as hepatic steatosis, occurs when fat builds up in the liver. There are two main types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic foie gras. This becomes problematic when fat is 5-10% of your liver weight. If the disease gets worse, it will cause fibrosis (scarring) or possibly cirrhosis, a sign of liver failure and requiring a liver transplant.
A fatty liver caused by supplements usually does not express symptoms in the early stages. However, persistent fatigue and abdominal pain on the upper right side of the torso are warning signs.
Your doctor may perform an ultrasound, CT scan, liver biopsy, or liver fibroscopy to identify the disease. Remember to monitor your liver enzymes if you already have liver disease. See a doctor if you have signs of liver damage, such as severe vomiting, jaundice, and abdominal pain, after taking herbal and natural supplements.
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Without FDA regulations, product manufacturing guidelines, and standardized chemical testing, it is nearly impossible to determine the exact chemical composition of supplements. For example, dietary supplements often promoted for muscle enhancement contain undeclared steroids, causing fatty liver disease. Therefore, consuming over-the-counter liver supplements can have adverse health effects, especially when taking supplements without the advice of a doctor.
7 Dietary Supplements That Cause Fatty Liver Disease
Although there are a number of dietary supplements that can harm the liver. We have listed the most notorious for you:
High doses of certain vitamins
Vitamin A can damage the liver when consumed in large doses or for a prolonged period. Likewise, consuming niacin for a long time can cause fatty liver disease or damage in some people.
Niacin can convert to (coenzyme nicotinamide) NAD, which in high doses can be toxic to the liver. Energy drinks and shots often contain high levels of niacin. Excess consumption of niacin from energy drinks can trigger severe hepatitis.
kava
The majority of kava supplements are in pill form. Several reports state that the comparative efficacy and safety of kava for the liver is still uncertain and may cause liver damage.
Some believe that the combination of kava and alcohol could harm the liver even at regular doses, increasing the risk of alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Overall, it’s still unclear how much liver damage kava alone can cause. However, those with liver problems are better off avoiding it until more research becomes available.
Valerian
Although valerian is generally safe for 4-8 weeks at recommended doses, it contains many toxic compounds that can damage liver cells if consumed for long periods of time.
There aren’t many studies on its adverse effects on the liver, but there is possible contamination from germander, another herb with a history of liver toxicity.
black cohosh
Black cohosh often causes autoimmune hepatitis and fatty liver disease. However, it is unclear whether black cohosh or product contamination is the cause.
A study found that two women who took black cohosh had acute liver necrosis. These are unusual cases. If you are using black cohosh to treat hormonal imbalances, you should talk to your doctor and check your liver enzymes for possible fat accumulation.
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
Butterbur, which can help treat migraines and seasonal allergies, contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are harmful to the liver. Plants synthesize pyrrolizidine alkaloids as secondary metabolites. According Datamore than 6,000 plants contain more than 600 PA and PA N-oxides, and more than half are harmful to the liver.
PAs included in herbal medicines can damage the liver. However, it is still debatable whether using these herbs for limited periods of time is safe. Therefore, people with severe liver disease should avoid this herb for safety reasons.
Kratom
Kratom herb boosts energy, treats anxiety, mood swings and depression, relieves pain and eases opioid withdrawal symptoms. Kratom causes acute liver damage and fatty liver disease.
However, these incidents are rare as most people recover after stopping the supplement. Several kratom products contain lead, so be careful when using them.
Polygonum Multiflorum (Fo-ti)
The native Chinese herb Polygonum Multiflorum, used for its digestive and anti-aging properties, has been linked to liver damage in some cases. When given alone or in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulations, the herb Polygonum Multiflorum is among the top five liver toxicants.
This herb can cause serious harm, including death, by affecting the liver. Studies indicate that most individuals recovered after stopping the supplement; however, up to 10% of cases were severe or fatal, requiring liver transplantation.
Conclusion
Although taking a few supplements a day is generally considered acceptable and possibly even beneficial for improving your liver health, taking them in large amounts for an extended period of time can seriously damage the liver.
Using supplements without knowing their solvents can cause fatty accumulation in the liver. Just because a supplement is labeled as “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthy for you. The problem may get worse if you use multiple drugs or herbs that affect the liver. It is best to consult a doctor before starting with any supplement.
