Thinking about taking supplements to boost your well-being quest? You're not the only one. As worldwide sales of supplements are expected to exceed $230 billion by 2027, they've become the face of preventive health. But experts are now sounding the alarm about a less obvious risk—the silent effect they have on your liver.From daily vitamin pills to herbal powders that claim to deliver everything from healthy skin to improved concentration, supplements are frequently perceived as benign. But the reality is, when taken excessively or without instruction, they may be doing more damage than good—particularly to one of your body's most critical organs: your liver.Your liver is your body's biochemical sorting center. It sifts through everything from food to poisons to medicines—and, yes, supplements.As per Dr. Karan Rajan, a well-known UK surgeon and educator with more than 1.7 million followers on Instagram, even natural supplements undergo liver metabolism. "That means your liver breaks them down with enzymes, which impacts how hard it has to work," he says. When your liver is overwhelmed, your liver cannot detoxify the body effectively, and there is a higher risk of inflammation, scarring, or worse—acute liver injury.In a recent case cited by Dr. Rajan, a female patient developed organ failure following consumption of supplements aimed at hair and nail growth. "Just don't turn your liver into a science fair project gone wrong," he cautioned in a now-famous video.What Constitutes a Supplement?According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), dietary supplements comprise:Vitamins: A, C, D, B-complexMinerals: Magnesium, calciumHerbal compounds: Elderberry, gingerBotanical powders: Green powders, turmeric blendsProbiotics: Live bacteria or yeasts that aid digestive system healthSupplements have been a daily fill for many people. Be it vitamin C as an immunity boost during the flu season or B12 for that energy drive, individuals look toward pills in anticipation of a good meal. Without proper checks and balances, the practice tends to go downhill fast into becoming a health risk.The risk isn't necessarily in the supplement itself—but in the amount you take and how it affects other substances in your body."More isn't always better," warns Dr. Rajan. "Excessive doses of even simple vitamins like vitamin A can cause liver damage or brain pressure." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Karan Rajan (MRCS MBBS BSc) (@drkaranrajan)]]>Other risks that are known include:Vitamin D overdose: Can increase blood levels of calcium, leading to kidney issues and changed mental status.Unregulated herbal mixes: May create unknown chemical interactions, especially if you’re taking multiple at once.Drug interactions: Supplements like St. John’s Wort can interfere with antidepressants or blood thinners.With so many supplements flooding the market, choosing a safe one can feel like a gamble. Flashy packaging and bold health claims are not enough.Dr. Rajan suggests checking for third-party certifications. Labels such as (e.g., USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab) mean that the product has been independently tested to be of good quality, purity, and accuracy of ingredient descriptions. Although no certification can absolutely ensure 100% safety, it significantly lessens your risk of taking something potentially toxic to the liver.How to Take Supplements the Right Way?So does it mean you must abandon supplements altogether? No. Properly planned, supplements can be useful. Here's how to do it safely and responsibly:1. Talk to a Healthcare Professional FirstDon't start adding anything to your routine without first talking to a physician or registered dietitian. They can check whether you actually need it, particularly if taking prescription meds such as statins, antidepressants, or anti-epileptics.2. Get Your Blood Work DoneBeginning a new supplement? Have your doctor perform liver function tests (LFTs). This establishes a baseline and allows you to track how your liver reacts over time.3. Consult ExpertThis FDA and NIH-supported database contains in-depth case reports on how drugs and supplements impact the liver. Supplements graded Grade A, B, or C need to be treated with additional caution.4. Don't Mix Multiple SupplementsTaking more than one herbal supplement or taking high doses of several vitamins at once can have synergistic toxicity. Unless prescribed by a professional, keep it simple and concentrated.Supplements aren't bad in themselves—but taking them without knowing how they'll affect your liver might be very bad indeed, sometimes causing irreversible damage. As consumer interest increases, so should awareness and prudence.