Woman Left ‘One Step Before Liver Failure’ After Taking Increasingly Popular Supplement : The Hearty Soul

Katie Mohan, 57, claims she nearly died from liver failure after taking turmeric supplements, highlighting a growing supplement toxicity endemic. The New Jersey-based woman began taking turmeric supplements in March after seeing online posts about the spice’s anti-inflammatory benefits. 

The symptoms started gradually. After a few weeks, she began experiencing fatigue, nausea and stomach pains after consuming the supplements. Despite drinking plenty of water, her urine darkened significantly. She noticed her eyes began to turn yellow, a sign of jaundice and serious liver health problems. 

From Health Conscious to ICU

Initially, in April, Mohan sought medical advice, but all tests returned normal. However, her condition increasingly worsened. Mohan began using supplements after an influencer on social media promoted a particular turmeric-containing supplement. Like millions of Americans seeking relief from joint pain, she turned to what seemed like a safe, natural solution. 

She purchased You Costco, taking the recommended daily dose of three pills containing 2,250 milligrams of turmeric. This amount far exceeded the World Health Organization’s safe recommendation of 0-3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. For someone of Mohan’s size, that would translate to approximately 200 milligrams daily.

A Light Bulb Moment That Saved Her Life

For weeks, Mohan failed to make the connection between the turmeric pills she was consuming daily and her deteriorating health. She had a “eureka” moment while reading a report on liver failure cases due to supplements. “A light bulb went off in my head and I said, ‘Oh, my gosh! I wonder if this is what’s wrong with me,’” she recalled.

She immediately went to urgent care where blood tests were run. The blood tests revealed that Mohan’s liver enzyme levels were 60 to 70 times above normal limits. She was admitted to Morristown Medical Center, then transferred to NYU Langone in New York City when her condition proved critical. Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, the hepatologist who treated her, confirmed what she feared: “Katie actually was one step before full liver damage, liver failure, requiring liver transplant”.

The Hidden Epidemic of Supplement Liver Failure

Mohan’s case is one of many in a growing trend of supplement toxicity that medical experts are alarmed about. Research published in the journal Liver Transplantation shows that supplement liver failure cases have increased eightfold from 1995 through 2020. Herbal and dietary supplements now account for roughly 20% of liver toxicity cases across America. The Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network has documented a surge in turmeric-related cases, with 6 of 10 total cases occurring since 2017.

Turmeric is not the only culprit responsible for the increase of supplement-induced liver damage. A 2024 study estimated that 15.6 million Americans consume potentially liver-damaging botanical supplements each month. These include ashwagandha, black cohosh, garcinia cambogia, green tea extract, red yeast rice, and turmeric. Each of these supplements has been linked to cases of toxic hepatitis and acute liver failure.

Who’s at Risk

Scientists have identified a specific genetic factor that makes certain individuals susceptible to liver damage from turmeric-based supplements. Researchers found that 70% of patients who developed liver damage from turmeric carried a specific genetic variant called HLA-B*35:0. However, this gene is present in only 6-7% of the population.

Quality Control Failures

Supplements are not regulated or approved by the FDA for medical use and are classed as a dietary group. A study analyzing 87 turmeric supplements found that 59% failed to meet United States Pharmacopeia standards for curcuminoid composition. Some products contained synthetic curcumin rather than natural turmeric-derived compounds, a practice forbidden by federal regulations.

Regulation and quality control of supplements remain a challenge that requires evaluation. The margin of the amount of harmful compounds like heavy metals that are permitted are not clearly defined. The same study found that products containing turmeric root had significantly higher lead levels, with 1 product exceeding safety limits. 

Choosing Safe Turmeric Supplements

Properly sourcing your turmeric supplements is imperative, especially if you choose to take them despite the risks. Look for high-quality supplements as compiled by Sarah Biren in this article here on The Hearty Soul.  Look for products that carry third-party certifications from organizations like NSF International or the United States Pharmacopeia. These certifications verify that supplements contain the ingredients listed on labels and meet safety standards for contaminants.

Avoid products that promise exaggerated health benefits that seem too good to be true. Choose manufacturers that provide transparency about their sourcing, testing, and quality control processes. 

Dangerous Ingredients to Avoid

Be particular of supplements that combine multiple herbs or promise enhanced absorption without clear explanations of their enhancement methods. Products marketed for bodybuilding, sexual enhancement, or rapid weight loss have higher rates of contamination with undisclosed pharmaceutical ingredients. These adulterants can cause severe side effects including cardiac arrest, liver toxicity, and even death.

Safer Supplement Practices

The World Health Organization stipulates that people should not exceed 0-3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight as a safe amount of turmeric. Consuming turmeric in food provides the sufficient amount of turmeric needed for its health benefits. Cooking with turmeric provides beneficial compounds without the concentrated doses that can cause liver damage. 

Always consult with healthcare providers before you start any supplements. Those with liver conditions, other co-morbidities, or on any medication should consult their healthcare professionals before starting supplements.

Conclusion

While Katie Mohan’s near-death experience tells a story of a crisis averted, her experience is not unique. Her story stacks up with the endemic number of growing cases tied to liver damage and turmeric supplements. This highlights a greater need for transparency and scrutiny of these supplements and the pharmaceutical industry.

Better awareness of supplement risks and proper medical guidance could have prevented Katie Mohan’s 6-day hospitalization and months of recovery.As supplement use continues to grow, her story provides a critical warning about the hidden dangers lurking in products many consumers consider harmless.

Read More: 5 Supplement Mistakes That Could Be Hurting Your Liver and Kidneys