Our liver is an incredible organ. Centuries of evolution have made the liver able to metabolize almost everything we eat. Other than detoxifying the organism, the liver also creates proteins, regulates blood clotting mechanism, creates bile used in the digestion process, and is responsible for more than 500 other functions, essentially acting both as a factory and a warehouse for your body's needs.
Of course, our everyday dietary habits have consequences, because sometimes we consume something that our liver can’t handle that well, and these products can lead to liver damage. This can be either due to product contamination, or a specific ingredient of something we eat.
Arguably, we are now more bombarded than ever with all sorts of commercials for dietary supplements, marketed for people “who want to get the daily recommended intake”, or “improve their health”. Of course, some foods can help the liver maintain its normal function or even boost it, such as foods with lots of fibers (oatmeal), antioxidants (berries and spinach), and good fats (fish).
We are going to mention some of the most common herbal supplements linked with liver injury, as well as some supplements that have been used for their healing properties for as long as centuries, but that can be harmful in high doses, specifically in people with an underlying liver condition. They are used for weight loss, increasing energy, or sexual function, treating anxiety, depression, and seemingly every other illness.
1. Green Tea
Given the fact that green tea has been consumed for more than two thousand years, you may wonder just how it is still popular if it can be bad for your liver? This beverage contains powerful antioxidants called catechins. Although antioxidants are used to neutralize free radicals, thereby preventing potential damage they might cause, some people either drink green tea in large quantities, or worse — consume large amounts of green tea extract in the form of capsules or drops.
In large quantities (more than 800mg per day), catechins are known to be toxic for your liver, with some cases even in need for liver transplant.
2. Chinese herbal medicines
Traditional Chinese medicines are used on a massive scale today, and are one of the most famous “alternative medicine” treatments in the western world. Some of them, such as Dioscorea blubifera L., can directly damage the liver when used in high doses, while others can damage the liver by creating toxic components such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Senecio), or cause an immunological response, such as Triptergium wilfordii.
3. Kava kava
Used as a short term remedy for reducing stress and treating anxiety, kava kava has effects similar to alcohol. Although there is no proven mechanism of its toxicity, several clinical cases documented elevated liver enzymes as well as other hepatitis features found on liver biopsy.
4. Parsley
Although science hasn’t proven the efficiency for many of these uses, people use parsley to treat numerous ailments, ranging from bladder infections and constipation to hair growth stimulation. Although it’s probably safe when taken as medicine, in larger doses parsley is likely to cause anemia, or liver damage.
5. Chaparral
Originally used by Native Americans for treating pain and the common cold, chaparral (or Creosote bush) is now used in alternative medicine as a treatment for skin disorders, and even AIDS. However, it seems to contain substances which inhibit liver enzymes, and thereby may lead to hepatitis, or even cirrhosis of the liver.
6. Thistle
Used for its antipyretic (lowers the body temperature), and antiemetic (prevents vomiting) properties, it seems that this plant can cause acute liver failure in children.
7. Greater celandine
Rich in alkaloids, it has been used for controlling IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and gallbladder issues. Greater celadine has, however, also been shown to sometimes trigger liver injuries, manifested by elevated enzyme levels. As a precaution, some European countries have banned this herb as a form of alternative medication.
That's not all, folks: Why you should always be careful with herbal supplements
Also, the list doesn’t include products contaminated with potentially liver damaging agents, or the possible interaction of herbal supplements with other pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, bodybuilding supplements aren’t covered by this article, because we concentrated on herbal supplements only.
This doesn’t mean that you should immediately stop consuming herbal supplements. As with many things in life, the key is moderation. Also, one of the main problems is that people who want to lose weight make the mistake of not eating almost anything, and at the same time consume extreme amounts of these supplements, because they think that it may speed up the process. Modern times have changed our mindset into thinking that almost everything can happen overnight.