Doctors Alert: The Top Supplement Linked to Serious Liver Damage

The liver is an extraordinary organ, undertaking more than 500 essential functions, including the filtration of 22 gallons of blood every hour. Despite its critical role, many individuals may unknowingly jeopardize their liver’s health by consuming certain supplements. A growing concern among doctors is the increasing number of cases involving liver damage linked to turmeric supplements.

As Alyssa Smolen, MS, RDN, a registered dietician from New Jersey, emphasized, the liver’s main responsibility is detoxifying the body. She noted, “including specific supplements…can interfere with this process.” Turmeric supplements, which are popular for their anti-inflammatory benefits due to the active compound curcumin, have been associated with potentially harmful effects when taken in high doses.

Research supports these concerns. A 2020 Italian study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology identified 23 cases of acute hepatitis related to high doses of turmeric supplements. The Cleveland Clinic explains that hepatitis involves liver inflammation, which can result from infections or injuries. Symptoms typically appear suddenly in acute cases but usually resolve within six months.

Further evidence comes from a 2022 study, which found that “between 2004 and 2013, 15.5% (130/839) of hepatotoxicity cases were attributed to dietary and herbal supplements,” with turmeric being a significant contributor. A 2023 study in The American Journal of Medicine revealed an increase in liver injuries due to turmeric in the United States, with affected individuals experiencing jaundice, nausea, and abdominal pain.

The risk is heightened when turmeric supplements are taken with black pepper, which enhances the body’s absorption of turmeric. Study author Jay Hoofnagle, MD, explained that while cooking with turmeric and black pepper is generally safe, supplements have been modified for increased absorption, posing a greater risk.

This risk was highlighted in the case of Robert Grafton, a 54-year-old who suffered from drug-induced liver injury due to herbal supplements, including turmeric. “My liver enzymes were super elevated, my bilirubin was really high—all the signs of liver failure,” Grafton shared. He initially consumed supplements containing 2,250 mg of curcumin and black pepper, later switching to a concentrated liquid form.

Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, MD, who treated Grafton, noted, “When you cook with turmeric, that could be really safe. But some of the supplements now are 2,000 mg plus, which is a very high dose of turmeric.” She explained that black pepper increases turmeric absorption “twentyfold,” overwhelming the liver’s ability to process the supplement.

Unlike dietary supplements with concentrated vitamins and minerals, herbal supplements are derived from plant components such as roots and seeds. Both types of supplements lack regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they do not undergo the rigorous testing that medications do.

A 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) examined over 80,000 herbal and dietary supplements, identifying six “potentially hepatotoxic botanical products.” Lead author Alisa Likhitsup, MD, MPH, described these as “products that contain plant-based ingredients which have been implicated as potential causes of liver damage.”

Raj Dasgupta, MD, noted that turmeric supplements are “widely considered safe to take regularly, especially at doses around 500 mg.” However, he cautioned, “High doses of turmeric are not recommended due to the risk of side effects.” Individuals with certain conditions, such as bleeding disorders or liver problems, should avoid turmeric supplements.

Before incorporating any new supplement into your routine, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure safety and efficacy.

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