Common supplements and medications could cause liver damage, studies show

“The biggest problem with herbal supplements is that the amount you are taking of active chemicals isn’t strictly regulated, so you don’t know exactly what you are getting,” he said. 

“And since several of the supplements are metabolized through the liver, there is now an increasing incidence of liver toxicity in users.”

Garcinia cambogia, a popular weight-loss supplement, is among commonly used botanical products known for potential liver toxicity. (iStock)

Cases of DILI linked to herbal or dietary supplements have nearly tripled between 2004 and 2014, according to a 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open.

The researchers identified the following most commonly used botanical products known for potential liver toxicity.

• Turmeric, a common spice added to foods
• Green tea
• Ashwagandha, an herb used for stress and anxiety
• Garcinia cambogia, a popular weight-loss supplement
• Red yeast rice, which is said to help lower cholesterol levels
• Black cohosh, a dietary supplement used to relieve menopause symptoms

It is estimated that at least 15.6 million U.S. adults have used at least one of these six botanical products within the past 30 days.

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“The most commonly implicated botanical products in the DILIN (Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network) include turmeric, kratom, green tea extract and Garcinia cambogia, with potentially severe and even fatal liver injury,” the study stated.

Drug-induced liver injury caused by HDS can be severe or even fatal, leading to death or liver transplantation, the researchers noted.

Toxic hepatitis or hepatotoxicity — which is known to be a significant cause of acute liver failure — has been growing in Western countries since the 1960s. (iStock)

Fox News’ Siegel also warned against the potential liver-related risks of some of these named supplements.

“Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and may be useful in small doses, but can be toxic in large doses,” he cautioned.

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“Garcinia cambogia is very popular, especially as a weight-loss agent, but there is no real evidence that it actually works, and there is no reason to take it, especially with the new GLP-1 drugs.”

While red yeast rice has cholesterol-lowering statin-type properties, Siegel cautioned that the amount of active chemicals isn’t as strictly regulated as approved medications.

“Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and may be useful in small doses, but can be toxic in large doses.”

Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.

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