Nutritional supplements can cause liver damage, research warns

Almost every user (91%) of the CRN survey said supplements are essential to maintaining their health. This is why supplement-promoting liver damage is experiencing a surge in. A study published in the journal in 2022 Liver transplantation A 2017 study published in the journal found that drug-induced liver failure, linked to herbs and dietary supplements, increased eightfold from 1995 to 2020. Hepatics.

This does not mean that you need to immediately throw away protein powder or vitamin D capsules. Nutritional supplements help meet the daily requirements of actually essential nutrients and improve or maintain overall health. Food and Drug Administration say. But they have risks.

last year, Researcher at the University of Michigan We estimated that 15.6 million Americans would consume a product containing at least one of these six plants associated with liver damage.

These supplements are photographed for everything from allergies to menstrual cramps to weight loss. And that's not revealed for every team.

“In previous researchwe found that there are many misconceptions about these products,” said senior author. Dr. Robert Fontanasaid the Michigan Medical Liver Specialist. August news release. “We did analytical chemistry and found about 50% discrepancies between the ingredients listed on the label and what actually is. This is very surprising. When you buy a supplement and say that there are certain ingredients, it's basically a coin flip, whether it's true or not.”

Furthermore, many studies have shown that supplements are contaminated Toxic heavy metals.

Nutritional supplements are not approved by the FDA

The FDA regulates supplements, but agents do not review safety, quality or efficacy, as well as drug approvals. Also, supplements are usually found in the pharmacy section of both online and brick-and-mortar retailers, but the FDA regulates them As a food, not a medicine.

It's up to the manufacturer to properly label the products that FDA reviews after it's on the market. The agency will be maintained A searchable database of warning characters It was sent to the company accused of the issue False claims and poor manufacturing practices. The FDA also encourages consumers Report problems with dietary supplements.

Tell your doctor which dietary supplement you are taking

You may not think you need to tell your healthcare provider something that is taking something as mundane as a Vitamin C gummy, but there is a reason for the FDA to encourage it. Some supplements may interact negatively with the specific medication you are taking, and it helps your doctor to determine which supplements are safe for your health goals.

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Take nutritional supplements as intended

Don't fall into the “huge” trend of promises quick or exaggerated results. It's rare, but possible Fatal overdose of dietary supplements.

Nutritional supplement officepart of the National Institutes of Health has established a daily cap (ULS) for safe consumption. For example, adults should not consume more than 100 micrograms Vitamin d In one day.

“I don't think supplements have more than UL at any dose, at least in the US.” Dr. Joan Slavinprofessor of Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of MinnesotaI said before luck. “But you can take 10 doses. We can't control it.”

For more information about dietary supplements, see