Supplements and the Liver
Herbal and dietary supplements as a cause of drug-induced liver injury.
Last revised
Key takeaways
- Recognised causes: some herbal remedies, bodybuilding and weight-loss supplements
- Regulation: food supplements are not regulated as medicines
- Most useful single change: Tell every clinician what supplements you take.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming natural means safe.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
Why it matters
They are widely assumed to be safe because they are natural, and they are a recognised and rising cause of liver damage.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Recognised causes | some herbal remedies, bodybuilding and weight-loss supplements |
| Regulation | food supplements are not regulated as medicines |
| Green tea extract | linked to liver injury at high doses |
| Detox products | no evidence of benefit; the liver already does this |
What helps
- Tell every clinician what supplements you take
- Stop any supplement if liver tests become abnormal
- Buy from regulated sources if you use them at all
- Be particularly cautious with bodybuilding and weight-loss products
What to avoid
- Assuming natural means safe
- High-dose concentrated extracts
- Detox and liver cleanse products
Where to go next
- What the Guidance Really Says About Supplements and the Liver
- Understanding Supplements and the Liver: A Plain-English Explainer
- The Evidence on Liver Cancer Risk, Without the Hype
- What the Guidance Really Says About Fatty Liver Disease
When to get help
Stop the supplement and seek medical assessment for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, persistent nausea, upper right abdominal pain, or unusual fatigue. Seek urgent help for confusion or drowsiness with jaundice. Report suspected reactions through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.