Though diet pills have been associated with liver problems before, their connection continues to grow and causes 20 percent of drug-related hospital visits for liver injuries, the New York Times reported.
According to a recent report by liver specialists, they only studied the most severe cases of liver damage and actually undercounted the number of cases.
Even though many patients recover once they stop taking the supplements that caused the problem, a few have required liver transplants or died of liver failure. In addition to teenagers who many not be aware of the potential health consequences, experts say middle-aged women looking for help losing weight are equally at risk.
"It's really the Wild West," said Dr. Herbert L. Bonkovsky, director of the liver, digestive, and metabolic disorders laboratory at Carolinas HealthCare System, told the Times. "When people buy these dietary supplements, it's anybody's guess as to what they're getting."
Americans reportedly spend a total of $32 billion on supplements each year despite unproven claims of weight loss or the ability to build muscle and fight off colds. Nearly half of Americans use over-the-counter supplements, most of which take more than one at a time.
The New York Times profiled 17-year-old Texas high school student Christopher Herrera, who entered the closest emergency room with skin "almost highlighter yellow," according to the doctor that treated him.
"It was terrifying," he said. "They kept telling me they had the best surgeons, and they were trying to comfort me. But they were saying that I needed a new liver and that my body could reject it."
Though Herrera is healthy now, he can no longer play sports or participate in outdoor activity due to the strain on his liver after taking a green tea extract pill with the promise of "fat burning." He also is required to have monthly visits with his doctor.
Due to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act enacted in 1994, the Food and Drug Administration does not have to approve supplements before they are sold.
"There unfortunately are criminals that feel it's a business opportunity to spike some products and sell them as dietary supplements," said Duffy MacKay, a spokesman for the Council for Responsible Nutrition. "It's the fringe of the industry, but as you can see, it is affecting some consumers."
