From gym-goers popping protein boosters to families relying on herbal tonics for immunity, supplement use in India has surged. These products often feel harmless because they’re labelled natural, herbal, or plant-based. But your liver, the organ responsible for detoxifying everything you ingest, doesn’t always agree. There’s a rise in supplement-induced liver injury, a problem often missed until the liver is already inflamed. If you're taking supplements for fitness, immunity, skin health, hormonal balance, or weight loss, this is the information you need to stay safe.

1. Your liver processes every supplement you take

The liver performs over 500 metabolic functions, including breaking down medicines and supplements. When you consume multiple herbal or nutritional products, these compounds funnel through the same detox pathways. A 2017 review published in Hepatology Communications reported that herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) now account for 20 per cent of all drug-induced liver injury in the United States. This trend is echoed globally as supplement use increases.

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2. Why supplements can harm the liver, even when they seem ‘safe’

• Unregulated multi-ingredient blends: A 2017 systematic review in Hepatology Communications found that many liver-injuring supplements contain multiple herbs, making it difficult to identify the toxic component.
• Potent extracts: A 2017 National Institutes of Health (NIH) update highlighted that concentrated extracts, such as green tea extract, turmeric/curcumin pills, or bodybuilding supplements, can overwhelm liver pathways.
• Idiosyncratic reactions: Research from Weill Cornell Medicine (2023 report) shows that liver injury does not always depend on the dose; some individuals react unpredictably to specific botanicals.
• Loose supplement regulations: The 2024 AARP review on supplement safety notes that, unlike medicines, supplements undergo far less pre-market testing.

For Indian users accustomed to mixing Ayurveda with gym supplements or self-prescribing herbal blends, this risk is often underestimated.

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3. Supplements most frequently linked with liver damage

• Weight-loss supplements with multi-herb mixes: Documented repeatedly in the U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network reports. For example, Garcinia cambogia, used for weight loss, has been linked with acute liver failure and inflammation.
• Green tea extract (GTE): A 2017 NIH case series linked concentrated GTE pills to acute hepatitis-like liver injury.
• Turmeric/curcumin supplements: Case reports published in BMJ Case Reports (2019–2022) document liver inflammation linked to high-dose curcumin capsules.
• Bodybuilding supplements: Studies published in Hepatology (2020) show anabolic-style liver injury patterns in some muscle-gain products.

These products often combine multiple herbs, concentrated extracts, and added enhancers—a combination that forces the liver to work extra hard.

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4. Warning signs your liver may be reacting

According to a 2023 update from Weill Cornell Medicine, supplement-induced liver injury can initially be silent. When symptoms appear, they often include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Nausea or loss of appetite
• Dark urine
• Itching
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)

If you experience any of these after starting a new supplement, stop immediately and get tested for liver enzymes (ALT, AST). Book your test today and receive your reports promptly, without the hassle.

5. Why Indians should be especially mindful

India faces rising rates of fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to high-carbohydrate diets, metabolic conditions, sedentary lifestyles, and stress. When the liver is already vulnerable, supplements can tip the balance. Additional India-specific concerns include:

• Unlabelled herbal blends sold online and offline
• Combining Ayurvedic tonics with allopathic medicines
• Reliance on social media for supplement advice
• Higher consumption of immunity boosters after the pandemic

This makes professional guidance essential, not optional.

Supplements can be helpful when medically indicated, but they are not universally safe, especially for the liver. Studies over the last decade consistently show rising cases of supplement-induced liver injury, particularly from herbal blends, strong extracts, and bodybuilding products. For personalised, science-backed and safe nutrition planning, consult a qualified dietician or healthcare professional. Your liver works around the clock for you; make choices that support it.