Safety warning over celebrity-backed supplement - doctor says regular use is linked to LIVER DAMAGE

Daily Mail​

13-05-2025

A GP has warned that those who regularly take trendy ashwagandha supplements could be at serious risk of liver damage.
Speaking in a video that has already been watched 15,500 times, Dr Asif Ahmed revealed that despite ashwagandha being 'one of the most hyped supplements out there'—backed by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow—it can have disastrous effects when taken long term.
Ashwagandha, a herb found in India, that has long been touted for its supposed benefits, which include aiding sleep and boosting mental health.
However, experts say it's still not clear if and how the plant works.
And Dr Ahmed has highlighted a potential danger — and urged the public to undergo vita blood tests to check the function of their liver before they take the supplement.
This is because like other herbal supplements, ashwagandha releases toxic compounds when metabolised by the liver.
In high doses, this can trigger damage to the organ that stops it being able to effectively rid the body of toxins, leading to yellowing of the eyes and skin, medically known as jaundice.
'Ashwaganda is meant to help with stress and reducing high cortisol levels, but remember it's a herbal treatment, so make sure your liver function tests have been done and are okay before you start,' the GP warned.
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A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says)
People should only take the supplement for a short period of time, and only when absolutely necessary, Dr Ahmed advised.
'It definitely shouldn't be taken long term', he said.
'Make sure you don't take more than 300 to 600 mg a day for four to six weeks max.
'And it should only to be used during very stressful periods.'
The GP also warned that taking supplements alongside other medications also carries potential dangers due to unknown interactions.
He said: 'Like with any other herbal treatment make sure you check with your doctor to make sure there are no interactions with any other medications, in particular with blood thinning medication.'
This is because some studies have shown that ashwagandha has a blood thinning effect and can therefore exacerbate the risk of hemorrhage that already comes with prescription medication.
Last year, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned that ashwaganda has been linked to potential liver toxicity.
The FSA said that, in the UK, 'there are no safe levels established or set limits' of how much ashwagandha can be used in supplements.
The supplement has also been linked with 'thyroid toxicity' and 'potential liver toxicity'. It may also impact 'thyroid hormone levels' as well having 'hypoglycaemic effects'— meaning it could cause blood sugar levels to drop, the watchdog added.
Dr Ahmed also highlighted studies that suggest taking ashwagandha can significantly reduce cortisol levels and the negative effects of stress on the body.
In the most recent study the GP listed, researchers studied how effective ashwagandha root extract is at alleviating stress and anxiety in otherwise healthy individuals.
They found that perceived stress levels, quality of life and generalised anxiety disorder scores improved significantly in all the participants taking ashwagandha compared to the placebo.
The participants taking ashwagandha also experienced a significant improvement in multitasking, concentration and decision-making time.
However, Dr Ahmed flagged that other studies have found no significant benefit with people taking ashwagandha to help reduce anxiety.
'Overall the evidence is not absolutely amazing, but its pretty decent. So I think its a pretty decent option for some people, but remember it's a herbal supplement', the GP concluded.