HQ Team
August 19, 2024: Herbs have been utilized for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
Herbal supplements, including well-known products like ashwagandha, turmeric, and green tea extract, have gained traction as individuals seek natural alternatives for health management. The influence of social media has played a crucial role in promoting these supplements, often highlighting their perceived benefits without adequate emphasis on potential risks.
Despite their natural origins, herbal supplements are not inherently safe. A recent study from the University of Michigan revealed that approximately 15.6 million U.S. adults, or 5% of the population, have taken at least one herbal supplement in the past 30 days that may be harmful to their liver. The study focused on six specific supplements known for their potential hepatotoxicity: ashwagandha, black cohosh, Garcinia cambogia, green tea extract, red yeast rice, and turmeric or curcumin.
Findings from the study
Researchers analyzed data from over 9,500 adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2017 and 2020. They found that around 58% of participants reported using an herbal or dietary supplement within the last month. The concerning aspect is that 5% of these individuals were using supplements that could potentially lead to liver damage, similar to the rates of liver injury associated with certain prescription medications.
Expert insights
Dr. Alisa Likhitsup, the study’s lead author, emphasized the need for greater awareness regarding the risks associated with herbal supplements. She noted that the lack of regulatory oversight by the FDA means these products do not undergo the same rigorous testing as pharmaceuticals. Consequently, consumers may mistakenly believe that “natural” equates to “safe,” leading to possible adverse health effects.
“Potentially hepatotoxic botanical products are the products that contain plant-based ingredients which have been implicated as potential causes of liver damage,” said Dr Likhitsup clinical assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Michigan in a press interview..
“As a practicing hepatologist, I have seen patients who had liver injury from taking dietary supplements and some were fatal which required emergency liver transplants. Data from Drug Induced Liver Injury Network reported the rates of liver injury due to botanical products has been on the rise from 7% in 2004-2005 to 20% in 2013-2014. Therefore, I had (an) interest to analyze the prevalence and see how many Americans were consuming these products,” Likhitsup added.
Recommendations
For those considering herbal supplements, it is crucial to consult with healthcare professionals, including physicians and registered dietitians. They can provide guidance on which supplements may be appropriate based on individual health conditions and goals.
Herbal medicines and supplements do not undergo any regulatory oversight during manufacturing or testing, consumers need to know they may be causing their bodies more harm than good by consuming them
The increasing use of herbal supplements highlights a growing trend towards natural remedies, but it also underscores the importance of informed decision-making and awareness of potential health risks.
Common side effects of herbal supplements
- Some herbs, such as chamomile and feverfew, can cause allergic responses, including rashes and respiratory issues.
- Many herbal supplements, including St. John’s wort and ginkgo biloba, can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and general digestive upset.
- Herbs like kava and Asian ginseng may induce dizziness or headaches in some users. Herbs such as garlic and ginkgo biloba can affect blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding, especially when taken with anticoagulant medications.
- Non-deglycyrrhizinated licorice can cause elevated blood pressure in sensitive individuals.
- In rare cases, herbal supplements can lead to severe adverse effects, including liver damage (notably with kava kava) and life-threatening allergic reactions.
- Herbal supplements can interact with prescription medications, affecting their efficacy and safety. For example, St. John’s wort can interfere with antidepressants and birth control pills.
- Green tea extract in high doses has been associated with acute liver injury, particularly in supplements that contain concentrated forms
The study was recently published in the journal JAMA Network .