Liver damage can occur from an 'overdose' of nutritional supplements.

Many people assume that vitamins and supplements are "nutritional supplements" that can be used indiscriminately. However, this seemingly harmless habit is silently affecting liver function.

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•28/04/2026

Vitamin - Image 1.

Abusing vitamins and dietary supplements can affect liver function - Illustration: TTO

Liver damage due to "overdose" of nutritional supplements.

Sharing his views on this issue with Tuoi Tre Online , Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang (Vietnam Association of Underwater and Hyperbaric Oxygen Medicine) said that many people believe that "supplement pills," "herbal extracts," or "detox" products are safe and can be used long-term without medical supervision.

However, the liver, the body's "central filter," is under immense pressure from the widespread use of vitamins and dietary supplements. In fact, many cases of acute hepatitis, liver failure, and even liver transplants have been recorded, linked to these very products advertised as "boosting immunity" or "detoxifying the liver."

When multiple medications are used simultaneously, in high doses, or for prolonged periods, the liver can easily become overloaded, leading to liver cell damage, elevated liver enzymes, and in the long term, hepatitis, cirrhosis, or even liver failure. In medicine, this condition is called drug- and supplement-induced liver injury (DILI/HILI).

There are two main mechanisms of toxicity: direct toxicity, which is dose-dependent—the more you use, the higher the risk, as in high doses of vitamin A; and idiosyncratic toxicity, which occurs unexpectedly in susceptible individuals, is related to genetic and immune factors, and is very difficult to predict.

According to Doctor Hoang, many people have a habit of taking all sorts of supplements every day: multivitamins in the morning, liver detox pills at noon, collagen in the afternoon, sleep aids in the evening, and even weight loss or muscle gain products. Each type contains dozens of active ingredients, most of which must be metabolized by the liver.

In this situation, the liver's enzyme system, particularly Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), becomes overloaded. This enzyme system is responsible for "processing" foreign substances. When multiple products are used simultaneously, one substance may inhibit or induce the enzyme, or compete for binding to transport proteins in the blood.

As a result, these substances can easily accumulate beyond safe levels or produce many intermediate metabolites that are harmful to liver cells.

In particular, many products on the market advertise "exclusive formulas" or "secret extracts" but do not clearly disclose the content of each ingredient. This makes assessing the risk difficult, while the liver still has to process a "chemical mixture" with unknown concentrations.

Not all vitamins or dietary supplements are equally dangerous. However, international studies have noted that some groups are more frequently associated with severe liver damage, even death.

In particular, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are especially important. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, which can be excreted in urine, these vitamins accumulate in the liver and fatty tissue. Prolonged use of high doses can have serious consequences: vitamin A is associated with cirrhosis and increased portal venous pressure; vitamin D causes hypercalcemia; and high doses of vitamin E increase the risk of bleeding, especially when used with anticoagulants.

The danger is that most liver damage from these products develops silently. Users feel normal until they have a health check-up and discover elevated liver enzymes. This is a sign that liver cells have already been damaged.

Warning signs that require early medical attention include persistent digestive disorders, pain in the right lower abdomen, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, pale stools, persistent itching, mild fever, rash, or hives.

How to use dietary supplements safely?

According to Dr. Hoang, most vitamin and mineral needs can be met through a balanced diet with green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and diverse protein sources.

Some groups that should receive supplementation as directed include: women preparing for or during pregnancy, the elderly, people with digestive disorders or malabsorption, people recovering from intestinal surgery, and malnourished children.

For healthy adults, self-medicating with high doses of vitamins for extended periods is unnecessary and may even cause "silent toxicity" to the liver and kidneys.

When elevated liver enzymes are detected in relation to the use of supplements, the most important step is to immediately stop all products being used, including those marketed as "liver supplements" or "detoxifiers." In many cases, the liver can recover on its own within a few weeks to a few months if timely intervention is provided.

Currently, there is no specific medication for most cases of liver damage caused by dietary supplements. Treatment is primarily supportive, involving monitoring and lifestyle adjustments: limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and engaging in physical activity.

To protect your liver, prioritize natural nutrition over relying on supplements. Only use vitamins and supplements when clearly prescribed, at the correct dosage and for the correct duration, and under the supervision of a doctor. Avoid using multiple overlapping products and do not blindly believe advertisements promising "liver detox," "rapid weight loss," or "instant muscle gain."

WILLOW

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/gan-co-the-ton-thuong-vi-qua-lieu-thuoc-bo-20260427181521297.htm