A striking revelation has emerged from a study published in 2024, identifying six commonly consumed herbal supplements linked to potential liver damage. As highlighted by a recent AARP article, these supplements include Ashwagandha, Black Cohosh, Garcinia Cambogia, Green Tea Extract, Red Yeast Rice, and Turmeric/Curcumin. While these botanicals are often praised for their purported health benefits, their association with liver toxicity raises significant health alarms, especially for older adults who are frequent users of such products.
The research pulls data from the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network, underscoring the alarming reality that approximately 15.6 million people in the United States alone may have consumed these liver-threatening botanicals within a month. Older adults are particularly at risk due to age-related changes in liver function, which make the organ less adept at metabolizing substances and more vulnerable to damage. The liver, known as the body’s detoxification powerhouse, processes ingested materials that, if toxic, can lead to severe liver injury or even failure, according to Dr. Arun Jesudian from Weill Cornell Medicine.
Thailand, like many other nations, sees a significant portion of its population turning to supplements to address health concerns such as arthritis, menopause symptoms, and cholesterol levels—conditions herbal supplements often target. Given this trend, the findings should prompt Thai consumers to exercise caution and critical assessment of their supplement use. Thailand, known for its vibrant culture of herbal medicine, must balance traditional practices with modern scientific insights to ensure public health safety.
In light of these findings, both local and international health professionals advocate for consumer awareness and regulation improvements. In contrast to prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements are not subject to pre-market regulation by the U.S. FDA, leading to risks of contamination and mislabeling, as verified by early research from Hepatology Communications.
Thai academics and health professionals might emphasize several protective strategies: conducting thorough research from reliable sources, consulting with healthcare providers before starting any new supplement, and choosing products that have undergone third-party testing for safety assurances. Additionally, conducting regular liver function tests could head off potential complications, a strategy advocated by Dr. Alisa Likhitsup of the University of Michigan Health, a co-author of the JAMA Network Open study.
As Thai culture continues to embrace both traditional and modern health practices, there lies an opportunity to foster education around safe supplementation. In moving forward, the emphasis should be on informed choices backed by credible research, ensuring supplements do more good than harm. For Thai consumers, the ultimate goal should be achieving optimal health through balanced, evidence-based approaches rather than solely relying on supplements, which could have dangerous side effects.
To safeguard liver health, Thai readers are encouraged to prioritize liver-friendly diets and lifestyles over supplementation. As Dr. Don Rockey of the Medical University of South Carolina aptly put it, “The best thing for your liver is a healthy diet and lifestyle.” By doing so, one can avoid the avoidable and ensure that their pursuit of health does not inadvertently lead to harm.