The liver is the main metabolite of pharmaceutical - functional foods that are considered "safe" but can still cause liver toxicity if used incorrectly, combined with drugs or of unknown origin.
Here are 3 types of functional foods that can damage the liver if used incorrectly, overdose or are not suitable for the body.
Functional foods to lose weight, burn fat
Many weight loss products contain metabolic stimulants such as sibutramine, ephedra, strong exfoliating weight loss tea, or herbal extracts that promote strong urination.
These substances can damage liver cell death due to excessive liver metabolism.
Some cases lead to acute hepatitis or liver failure, according to a warning from the WHO.
For example, the ingredient Green Tea Extract (high-dose green tea extraction) in many weight loss pills tends to cause liver damage, with symptoms similar to acute hepatitis, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in the US.
Bodybuilding Supplements
Products for gym goers and bodybuilders often contain synthetic steroids, prohormones and testosterone enhancers of unknown origin, many of which have not been carefully analyzed.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discovered many muscle-building products containing statistically unlabeled, causing serious liver damage, leading to increased liver enzymes and liver and gallbladder disorders cholestasis.
These products can cause steroid liver poisoning, drug-induced hepatitis, and even acute liver failure if overused.
Even muscle-building pharmaceutical products can contain unlabeled active ingredients or cause a metabolic burden on the liver.
Functional foods "detox" and purify the body (detox)
Many products labeled as liver detox or body detox contain herbs such as Milk thistle, lower-leafhopper, licorice, lotus leaves, goji berries, etc. Although they are said to support the liver or detoxify, if used for a long time or at high doses, they can be counterproductive; such as poisoning the liver, liver enzymatic disorders, affecting metabolism.
Therefore, housewives need to pay attention when supplementing functional foods for family members. Some people with allergic reactions or underlying liver disease will damage the liver faster.
It is necessary to read labels carefully, learn the ingredients, do not follow trends or online advertising.
People with a history of liver disease, high liver enzymes, hepatitis B or C, or drinking a lot of alcohol should consult a doctor before taking any functional foods.
