“Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Harmless”: Rise in Liver Damage Linked to Herbal Supplements in the U.S.

By: Alejandra Legarda | Special to Al Día News

In 2025, a growing number of severe liver damage cases in the United States has raised alarms within the medical community. The culprits are not viruses or experimental drugs, but over-the-counter herbal supplements which, under the appearance of being natural and harmless, carry serious risks to liver health.

According to a report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and data from the LiverTox Database, nearly 20% of drug-induced hepatitis cases in U.S. hospitals are linked to herbal or dietary supplements.

One of the most troubling factors is the lack of strict regulation. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, supplements in the U.S. are not required to undergo clinical trials prior to commercialization, as established by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. This has allowed products with potentially toxic ingredients to reach the market without rigorous oversight.

Among the most commonly consumed natural ingredients associated with liver damage are turmeric (curcumin), green tea extract, ashwagandha, Garcinia cambogia, red yeast rice, and black cohosh, according to a 2024 study published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open. It is estimated that at least 15.6 million Americans use supplements containing one or more of these ingredients. While many have shown potential benefits in preclinical studies, they have also been linked to liver toxicity when consumed in high doses or over prolonged periods without medical supervision.

The Harvard University Liver Center has documented an increase in hospitalizations for liver failure related to these products, particularly among young adults who consume them for weight loss, energy boosts, or enhanced physical performance. In many cases, these patients did not inform their physicians about their supplement use, which made early diagnosis more difficult.

Impact on Young Adults and Lack of Medical Disclosure

Research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has emphasized that young adults, particularly those between 20 and 34 years old, are the most affected by the adverse effects of weight-loss supplements. One study found that young users of these products are nearly three times more likely to suffer serious medical harm—including hospitalizations, disabilities, and even death—compared to those who take ordinary vitamins.

In response to this situation, public health experts are calling for stricter controls, clear labeling of potential risks, and widespread education campaigns. “We are not against the use of natural products, but they must be safe, regulated, and used under medical guidance,” several health professionals emphasize.

This phenomenon poses an urgent challenge: balancing public access to natural products with effective regulation that safeguards consumers. Because in healthcare, natural doesn’t always mean harmless.