Drug-induced liver injury (DILI), also known as toxic hepatitis or hepatotoxicity, is on the rise in Western countries, with common medications and dietary supplements now identified as significant risk factors. Recent research published in the Toxicology Reports journal highlights that up to one in five individuals prescribed medications may experience DILI, underscoring the growing concern among medical experts. The American College of Gastroenterology has issued warnings about the unpredictable nature of these risks, particularly with herbal remedies and dietary supplements, which are often not as closely regulated as conventional pharmaceuticals. Even FDA-approved medications can occasionally lead to liver damage, though this is considered rare. Symptoms of DILI include nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, generalized itching, dark urine, and jaundice, with some individuals showing no visible signs of the condition. The study also points to the increasing prevalence of liver injuries linked to herbal and dietary supplements (HDS), with cases having nearly tripled between 2004 and 2014, according to a 2024 study in the JAMA Network Open.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, has warned that the lack of strict regulation on the amount of active chemicals in these supplements can contribute to liver toxicity. He noted,