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Millions across the world take herbal, plant-based supplements to treat various conditions, increase energy, better immunity, maintain optimal health, and prevent disease. However, according to a new study, these can be damaging to your health – especially the liver, which can be fatal.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, found that there has been a significant uptick in drug-induced liver injury tied to products like green tea extract, turmeric, ashwagandha, red yeast rice, or even garcinia cambogia.
In the US, nearly 5 per cent of American adults take one or more of these products, as per the report.
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How are herbal supplements dangerous?
According to the study, the dangers of these supplements – freely available in the market without stringent regulations – are way too many. Experts say they are hepatotoxic, causing liver toxicity – a condition that causes permanent liver damage over time. Doctors are concerned that many people take these supplements in excess or take multiple at the same time, having severe aftereffects. Data shows between 2004 and 2005, about 7 per cent of drug-induced liver injury cases were linked to herbal and dietary supplements – by 2013-2014, that rate had jumped to 20 per cent.
For the study, researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – a programme that interviews participants on their medication and dietary supplement history. The team reviewed data from almost 10,000 people.
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More than 57 per cent of participants reported having taken an herbal or dietary supplement within the past 30 days, while nearly 5 per cent said they were taking one of the six botanicals that were under study. While turmeric was the most common, it was followed by others.
Ways to keep your liver healthy while taking herbal supplements
According to experts, since there are potential risks involved, it is important to take precautions if you decide to use an herbal product. Keep the following in mind:
Always consult your doctor
Doctors recommend that you must always consult with them before taking any kind of herbal medicine. Knowing what you are taking will help your doctor recognize if you have any kind of side effects.
Beware of the big liver offenders
When it comes to supplements, the simpler, the better. However, if you find a long list of ingredients whose names are confusing, it is better to avoid it. Green tea extract, anabolic steroids, and multi-ingredient nutritional supplements are among the top products that can cause liver injury.
Also, certain herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine have also been found to pose some risks.
Always check the ingredients online for their efficacy
If the herbal product you plan to take is new, always make sure to read about it on the internet to know how it can affect your body. Always thoroughly do a background check on the ingredients to see if they can damage your liver.
Limit the number of herbal products
Doctors recommend not taking all the herbal products simultaneously.
Always supplement with healthy food
According to experts, none of the herbal supplements are a substitute for a healthy diet or lifestyle – nor are they a replacement for a treatment plan your healthcare team has recommended. They can only help you strengthen your body, and so make sure to eat a healthy diet and make other lifestyle changes, like exercising more and regulating your sleep.