ORLANDO, Fla. (WGEM) — About 59 million Americans use some type of vitamins or supplements regularly. But a new study shows some supplements may be putting your health at risk.

Pills … powders … gummies … shakes … Americans are all in when it comes to supplements! But many of the popular ones haven’t been proven to work.

Erin Michos, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine says, “So many individuals are taking these when many well-done clinical trials have shown that these supplements are no better than placebo.

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that at least 15.6 million US adults may have consumed an herbal product that could damage their liver in the last 30 days. The six worst offenders were: turmeric, green tea, ashwagandha, garcinia cambogia, red yeast rice, and black cohosh.

Doctor Michos says, “The data for both calcium supplements and many other types of supplements and multivitamins, you know, it’s not clear at all for any kind of cancer benefit or cardiovascular benefit.”

A big problem with supplements is the FDA doesn’t evaluate them for safety, effectiveness, or quality. The new study found some of the herbal products had discrepancies between their ingredient lists and what was actually in them. The best way to ensure quality is to look for products that have been certified by a third-party company, such as NSF, USP, BSCG, or consumer-lab. And – before using a supplement, Doctor Michos says, “I think individuals should talk to their doctors about do they need these supplements and why are they taking them.”

With ways to protect yourself from supplement dangers.

The authors of the study noted that liver damage connected to herbal and dietary supplements use has been increasing, now accounting for more than 20% of liver injuries. Severe liver problems can lead to the need for a transplant – or even death.

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