The use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDSs) is increasing worldwide because of their perceived health benefits and influencer marketing. While regulated amounts of herbal plant-based supplements are healthy, their overconsumption can affect the liver’s function.
As per a study published in JAMA Network Open, The potential liver risks caused by popular herbal supplements have increased from 7% in 2005 to 20% in 2014 in the United States. Moreover, more than 80,000 such supplements can be purchased without a prescription. Major herbal and dietary supplements don’t require approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before marketing.
According to the study, people are exposed to the five potentially hepatotoxic botanicals, largely consumed to improve health or treat minor health complications. The list included:
Turmeric or Curcumin
Turmeric is a popular herb derived from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant. The spice has an active ingredient called Curcumin, which is widely used in most Indian dishes. Due to its beneficial components, the herb is used as a traditional medicine to improve heart health and antioxidant activities in the body, as well as control inflammation. However, consuming turmeric in large quantities can damage the liver and increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
Green tea
Green tea is widely consumed worldwide to beat obesity. It also has other benefits, including protection against heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, according to the National Library of Medicine, Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains polyphenols. So, consuming 2-3 cups of green tea daily can lead to hepatotoxicity or liver damage.
Black cohosh
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa) has been used by Native Americans since time immemorial to treat musculoskeletal pain, fever, cough, pneumonia, sluggish labour, and menstrual irregularities. Now, this is used as a tonic to support women’s reproductive health, including hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, heart palpitations, tinnitus, vertigo, sleep disturbances, nervousness, and irritability, around the world. However, overuse of it has been linked to liver injuries such as jaundice, hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis and elevated liver enzymes.
Red yeast rice
Red yeast rice has become a new trendy style of consuming rice fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. However, it contains monacolin K, the same active ingredient found in the prescription drug lovastatin. This is also known to cause liver damage.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, derived from Withania somnifera root extract, is extremely popular in Southeast Asia. It boosts brain health, lowers anti-inflammatory activities, and treats stress, fatigue, pain, skin diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and epilepsy. However, generally consumed with tea or kadha, it stimulates a reduction in GSH levels in cells, which translates into cytotoxicity causing live damage.
Remember to consume the supplements mentioned above in moderation to reap the benefits and not overconsume them. Apart from them, Garcinia Cambogia, Chaparral, Kava, Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, Germander, Greater Celandine, Mistletoe, Skullcap, and a few traditional Chinese medicines also seem to have some harmful effects on health if consumed for a longer period.
