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Supplements and Liver Health: What Most Wellness Advice Doesn’t Tell You

  • Writer: Aku Energija
    Aku Energija
  • Jun 20
  • 4 min read

In today’s wellness-driven world, dietary and herbal supplements (HDS) are more popular than ever. Marketed as natural solutions for everything from energy and immunity to stress and digestion, these products have become a daily habit for millions. But amid all the enthusiasm, one crucial truth is often overlooked: natural doesn’t always mean harmless. In recent years, medical studies and clinical reports have raised concerns about a growing number of liver injuries linked to these very products.[1, 2]

The Liver: A Vital Organ in Both Modern and Traditional Medicine

The liver plays a central role in our health. It filters toxins, processes nutrients, and supports metabolism. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is also the organ responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) and the storage of blood — essential for emotional balance, hormonal regulation, and vitality. [Read more: Jing, Qi & Shen: The Three Treasures in Traditional Chinese Medicine]

Keeping the liver healthy is key to maintaining both physical and emotional harmony. Yet, ironically, many people are unknowingly harming their liver in the name of health.

In the U.S., dietary supplements now account for up to 43% of drug-induced liver injuries (DILI) — a figure that has increased dramatically over the past two decades.[3] Liver specialists warn that this is not an isolated or rare phenomenon. Cases are growing — and too often, they’re going unnoticed until the damage is advanced.

The Promise and the Problem

Supplements can support health when used wisely. In TCM, herbs and minerals have been used for centuries — but always in personalized combinations, adjusted to the individual’s constitution, imbalances, and current condition.

This is very different from the modern approach of self-prescribing concentrated, single-ingredient powders or pills — often purchased online or recommended by influencers. Many popular supplements such as turmeric, green tea extract, ashwagandha, and garcinia cambogia have roots in traditional medicine. However, in their modern, isolated, and high-dose forms, they can be taxing — or even toxic — to the liver. [Read more: The Hidden Health Risks of Energy Drinks]

When the Liver Can’t Keep Up

The liver processes every substance we ingest. Overload it, and it can react with inflammation or injury. Supplement-related liver problems can start subtly — with fatigue, nausea, or upset digestion, and escalate to more serious symptoms like jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, or acute liver failure.

Some cases have resulted in hospitalization or even liver transplants. One study found that HDS-related liver failure requiring transplant waitlisting rose eightfold between 1995 and 2020 in the United States.[5]

Why Are Supplements Risky for the Liver?

Several overlapping factors explain why supplements can pose hidden risks:

  • Lack of regulation: In many countries, supplements don’t require the same safety or effectiveness testing as pharmaceutical drugs. Products can be sold with minimal oversight, misleading labels, or undeclared ingredients.

  • High concentrations: Unlike traditional use, where herbs are consumed in balanced formulas or small doses, many modern extracts deliver concentrated compounds far beyond natural levels, overwhelming the liver’s detox capacity.

  • Stacking and self-prescribing: Many people take multiple supplements at once, believing more is better. This increases the risk of harmful interactions — both among the supplements themselves and with any medications.

  • Individual vulnerability: Genetics, pre-existing conditions, and even gender can affect how the liver responds. For example, middle-aged women are more likely to develop liver injury from green tea extract used in weight-loss products — especially those containing EGCG, a compound known for its hepatotoxic potential.[3, 6]

From a TCM perspective, however, balance is key — more is not always better. Excessive or inappropriate use of strong, warming, or stimulating herbs can cause internal heat, liver Qi stagnation, or other imbalances. Even natural supplements can harm the body if they’re not suited to the individual.

So What Can We Do?

This isn’t about fear — it’s about informed, mindful use. Supplements can be valuable when prescribed and used with care. Here’s how to protect your liver:

The Role of TCM in Supporting Liver Health Safely

One of TCM’s greatest strengths is its individualized approach. A trained practitioner doesn’t prescribe herbs in isolation but crafts balanced formulas based on pattern differentiation, constitution, and season. This thoughtful approach reduces the risk of toxicity, harmonizes the liver, and enhances overall vitality.

Mindful Supplement Use for Lasting Wellness

Supplements are powerful — and that power should be respected. The rising number of liver injuries linked to “natural” products reminds us that true health isn’t found in shortcuts or trends.

With expert guidance and a balanced mindset, supplements can play a supportive role — but they’re not a substitute for what really sustains us. In traditions like TCM, wellness is rooted in a deeper understanding: food is medicine, and medicine is food. When we care for the body through balance, nourishment, and personalized support, long-lasting health becomes not just safer — but more meaningful. [Read more: Foundation of TCM dietary and herbology (1/4)- Four natures]


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