Are supplements safe?

GET MEDICAL ADVICE: MANY DETRIMENTAL TO THE LIVER – PHARMACIST

- Hein Kaiser

Supplements are often seen as the gentle side of wellness. From turmeric capsules to green tea extract and ashwagandha drops, they line shelves in pharmacies and health shops with promises of detoxification, balance and vitality.

But pharmacist Thembeka Gule of Medipost Pharmacy warned that many of these over-the-counter products may not be as harmless as their branding suggests. This is particularly when it comes to liver health.

The liver is the body's primary filter. "Everything you ingest, like meds, supplements, alcohol and so on, gets filtered through it. It's on the frontlines of toxicity." Unlike prescription pharmaceuticals, herbal products skip the lab tests and consistency checks.

"Most are plant-based with variable composition depending on how they're processed," she said. "That's why two turmeric capsules from different brands may not be the same. Add impurities or fillers, and it becomes a wild card for your liver."

Risk groups include diabetics, heavy drinkers, or people with fatty liver disease. "You're already starting from a place of strain. Supplements tip the balance," she said.

Even so-called safe products, when layered together daily, can cumulatively push the liver into crisis. Genetics also play a role.