5 Supplements That Can Harm Your Liver

Red yeast rice is a supplement made from rice fermented with a specific type of mold. Some of the chemicals in it, including one called monacolin K, are like those in the prescription drug lovastatin, a drug used to lower LDL cholesterol. But there’s a risk of serious side effects, including liver damage. The FDA has banned red yeast rice extracts that contain enhanced or added lovastatin. Supplement makers don’t have to prove to the FDA that their products are safe and effective like drug manufacturers do. So while red yeast rice might seem like a natural alternative to statins, the potential impact on the liver makes it risky. If you're looking for natural ways to lower your cholesterol, your doctor can help you know what works and what’s safe.

Chaparral, made from the leaves of a desert shrub called creosote in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, has been used for centuries in traditional Native American medicine. But it’s been linked to cases of severe, permanent liver damage. In some of those cases, the people who took chaparral needed an emergency liver transplant. While these severe liver injury cases have been rare, the FDA has warned against swallowing or injecting chaparral. Chaparral may be more likely to cause problems if you take certain types of medications, including those that can affect your liver or kidneys. Symptoms of liver toxicity from chaparral can include jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Those symptoms typically started within three to 12 weeks of starting to take chaparral daily or increasing the daily dose.

Vitamin A helps your vision, immune system, and many other parts of your body. But too much of it can bring health problems for your liver and the rest of your body. Here’s why: Your body stores vitamin A, and you don’t want too much to build up. Symptoms of too much vitamin A from supplements include headache, nausea, dizziness, and liver damage. High-dose supplements of beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A, may also make lung cancer more likely in smokers, people who used to smoke, and those who have been exposed to asbestos. A safer way to get vitamin A is through foods such as certain fish (including salmon), spinach, carrots, cantaloupe, and apricots. (Think of green, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables.) If you think you still need a supplement, stick to the recommended levels. Health experts usually recommend food as the first source for nutrients. 

Pennyroyal is an herb that has long been used in traditional medicine, but in some forms, it poses serious and even life-threatening risks, including to the liver. Specifically, pennyroyal oil is unsafe and has been linked to cases of toxic liver injury, multiorgan failure, cardiovascular collapse, and death — even in small doses — within hours of taking it. Cases of liver toxicity linked to taking pennyroyal oil date back more than a century. Pennyroyal oil poisoning can have the same effect on the liver as an overdose of acetaminophen. Taking pennyroyal when you’re also taking acetaminophen could make liver damage even more likely. Given the life-threatening risks, experts advise against taking pennyroyal oil by mouth. 

Ashwagandha is an herb that some people use when they’re stressed or anxious, or for their overall well-being. It’s long been used in Ayurvedic medicine and has been generally considered safe, but there have been some reported cases of liver injury in people taking supplements labeled as containing ashwagandha. It’s not always clear exactly what’s in commercially made supplements. These cases haven’t been common, but it’s good to be aware of the risks with herbal supplements, just like with anything else you take. Symptoms of liver damage can include jaundice, itching, nausea, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If you have any of those symptoms, especially while taking ashwagandha, seek medical attention right away. Always talk with a health care provider before you start taking any new supplement, especially if you already have any liver conditions.