HealthDayBotanicals Like Turmeric, Green Tea Are Harming Americans’ Livers

Rising Botanical Supplement Use Linked to Increased Liver Toxicity Cases

A new study reveals a concerning trend in the use of botanical supplements and their impact on liver health. Researchers from the University of Michigan have found that approximately 7% of US adults, or 15.6 million people, are using at least one of six popular botanicals, including turmeric and green tea extract. This widespread use correlates with a significant increase in liver toxicity cases, raising questions about the safety and regulation of these supplements.

Key Points:

• Approximately 15.6 million US adults use at least one of six leading botanical supplements.
• The six botanicals studied include turmeric, green tea extract, Garcinia cambodgia, black cohosh, red yeast rice, and ashwagandha.
• Cases of liver toxicity linked to botanical use nearly tripled from 7% to 20% between 2004 and 2014.
• Turmeric, green tea extract, and Garcinia cambodgia are frequently implicated in liver toxicity cases.
• An estimated 11 million adults regularly take turmeric supplements, often for unproven pain or arthritis relief.
• More than 3 million adults take green tea extract, typically for unfounded claims of weight loss and energy boosting.
• Many botanical products lack efficacy evidence for their marketed benefits.
• Chemical tests of products linked to liver crises often show discrepancies between labels and actual ingredients.
• The typical botanical user is an older (average age 52), white (75%), female (57%) with higher socioeconomic status.
• Two-thirds of botanical users also take prescription medications, increasing the risk of drug interactions.
• Liver damage from botanical overuse can be severe, potentially leading to death or liver transplantation.
• Liver transplants due to botanical overuse increased by 70% between 2009 and 2020.
• Researchers urge increased regulatory oversight on the production, marketing, testing, and monitoring of botanical products.

HCN Medical Memo
The rising popularity of botanical supplements presents a significant challenge for healthcare providers. It is crucial to actively inquire about patients’ supplement use, educate them on potential risks, and monitor for signs of liver toxicity, especially in those taking multiple medications or with pre-existing liver conditions.

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