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Herbal Weight-Loss Supplements Linked to Liver Damage

March 27, 2017 - Admin

Popular weight-loss and performance-enhancing supplements increase the risk of liver damage— according to a literature review led by Victor Navarro from Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chemicals in green tea such as caffeine and catechins— particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate— speed metabolism and fight fat. Too much green tea is unhealthy. Chronic use of green tea extract causes liver oxidative stress, inflammation and liver injury. Herbal and dietary supplements account for an increased portion of liver damage cases observed in the hospital. Supplements most closely linked to liver toxicity include green tea extract, conjugated linoleic acid, vitamin A and garcinia cambogia. Some supplements can result in liver failure, liver transplantation and death. Bodybuilders should be aware of the potential for liver toxicity from taking green tea extract supplements. (Hepatology, 65:363-373, 2017)