Private MD News

Supplements linked to liver damage

Category: Liver Diseases

Individuals who have received unhealthy liver panel test results may want to avoid using herbal and dietary supplements for weight loss and muscle building. New research has linked these products to an increased risk of liver damage.

The Thomas Jefferson University researchers who conducted the study said that liver damage is the most common reason for pharmaceuticals to be taken off the market, which highlights the degree to which the liver is susceptible. But because supplements are less heavily regulated, it is difficult for government officials to know their full impact on the liver.

In order to investigate the potential link, the researchers examined records from more than 100 people who were included in the U.S. Drug Induced Liver Injury Network. They found that a higher percentage of people had sustained liver injury after taking weight loss or muscle-building supplements.

The researchers said that many weight loss and muscle-building supplements contain high levels of green tea extract. This ingredient has been linked to liver damage in the past, which may explain the results. They will continue to work with Food and Drug Administration officials to determine if natural products should be regulated more heavily.